The paradigm of workspaces has evolved: flex time is becoming more popular, teams have a global presence, and work does not happen in isolated cubicles.
What is a Smart Office?
A smart office is an intelligent workplace that leverages technology to connect and engage employees with their work environment. Smart workplace technology, which can include networked platforms, sensors, software, and IoT technology, uses automation to improve workplace productivity and comfort.
The benefits of a smart office range from increasing productivity and conserving energy to improving collaboration, attracting top recruits, and improving time management.
The definition of a smart office includes a wide variety of elements, so what needs to be implemented really depends on the organization’s profile, its goals, and the kind of work the employees do. However, some factors cut across industries and objectives, forming the basic building blocks of a smart office.
Smart Office Floor Plan and Design
The design of a smart office needs to accommodate different work environments and styles. This includes quiet spaces to get work done undistracted, collaborative hubs and hot desks for a quick huddle or meetings, vibrant break areas for informal meets, and entertainment zones that allow employees to stretch, read a book, or plug their music into a speaker. To accommodate such an open and flexible design, companies need to use their floor space efficiently.
Surprisingly, 30-40% of office space is underutilized during a typical workday. Given the enormous costs involved in real estate, this is a huge drain on resources. Technology can be a lifesaver here, mapping the physical workspace to a digital twin and providing the visibility to plan and utilize space efficiently.
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