Future of Workspace: Automated Coworking
With the introduction of activity-based/agile working and the unexpected explosion in the start-up business, flexible office spaces have emerged as one of the primary growth drivers in the history of workplace evolution. With the real-estate market witnessing an exponential surge in the renting and leasing of shared workspaces, co-working has now become a viable and cost-effective alternative to the traditional employer’s office.
Automation has become the buzzword that has recently hit the coworking industry. Automation has the potential to have the biggest impact on how flex space operators work. The automation of services, both customer-facing and not, free up time for staff to focus on innovation and service improvements. This is sure to create a large impact on the coworking industry now and 5 years down the line.
On the expense side, automating your workplace operations can make your firm easier to manage and require fewer employees, allowing your current employees to focus on the components that will enhance retention: developing community, creating a friendly environment, and planning events. As a coworking space operator designing your workspace correctly is the vital part of starting out on the right foot.
With the current boom in co-working space usage, it’s more important than ever to realize the importance of providing recreational services to consumers. Providing customized mobile apps and connected devices with online notifications to stay connected with the co-working community and access the different services available in these places is a smart way to keep and attract additional business. Various companies are increasingly offering services such as flexible booking systems, food and beverage ordering systems and outlets, office supply subscriptions, recreational classes and events, as well as smart spaces allowing clients to enjoy an end-to-end experience at their workplace.
All of this is made simple with coworking management software, that allows for quick and flexible product creation, automatic tracking of usage against different membership levels, and quick access to the data required to make informed decisions. As we know, the coworking industry has taken a hard hit due to the pandemic. One way to recover this impact created by the pandemic is to automate the space. Automation doesn’t come easy but it will surely ease out the processes once in line. So now more than ever, it has become essential to automate flexible workspaces.
Previously, occupiers seeking office space would restrict their options down to a few before visiting any of them. In-person viewings necessitate travel, and not everyone has the time to go on a never-ending tour of potential spaces. Virtual tours however benefit both occupants and operators; clients have access to a larger range of workplaces, and operators have access to a larger number of occupants seeking work. When it comes to the onboarding process, technological advancements like digital document signing and online resource centers have virtually eliminated the necessity for an in-person tour.
Another aspect of coworking that can be made easy through automation is advanced bookings. With an automated reservation system in place, minimize back and forth communication to enable users to make and change reservations easily through the software. Meeting room and conference room booking should also be done through the software to streamline the process and make it hassle-free.
Your coworking space can benefit from automation in a variety of ways. Remember, nonetheless, to take a human-centered approach. Keep in mind that your automated solution will affect your members directly. As a result, don’t forget to factor them into your decision-making process. Make sure to strike an appropriate balance and don’t alienate your members by offering an automated solution that they don’t want or require.
While integration is undoubtedly the best first step, we are convinced that workspace automation will forever change the game for both workspace operators and decision-makers in new or emerging sectors who are only now beginning to realize how flexible workspaces can unlock their teams’ efficiencies in previously unimaginable ways. So, while software strengthens the foundations of communal workspaces and integrations enable more systems to communicate, automation will make them all sing.
