‘Using technologies such as large-format touchscreens, voice-controlled intelligent agents, virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, and an increasing number of artificially intelligent software tools, we will equip individuals and teams to work better together, with help from intelligent machines.’

This, in a nutshell, is what a smart office can offer to enhance a company’s graph according to J.P. Gownder, Principal Analyst at Forrester.

How Did Workplaces Get Smart?

Upgraded workspaces or smart offices as they are colloquially known, are a by-product of the three-phase development model of technology.

First phase began with the introduction of the World Wide Web and technological devices such as laptops and mobile phones.

Second phase brought in cloud computing, smartphones and cutting-edge software that rendered these devices as banal.

Third phase, the present-day that revolves around integrating automated software and advanced technology to dial up the efficiency, productivity, and operations in the workplace.

Smart Offices Reinvent Smart Workers

The idea here is to devise and implement technology that will make people work faster, better and with more efficiency, thereby, doubling the output.

• Many companies achieve this with the help of a myriad of workplace apps embedded in the mobile phones of employees.
• Mobile applications track tasks, whereas sensors, and beacons inform employees about the occupancy status of a conference room in addition to the location of their peers.

The data that is mined from these applications can then be used to provide an impetus to both productivity and connectivity in the office space. More connected the employees, the better will be the chances of improving and managing varied operations and processes.

Smart Offices Save Energy

Energy efficiency has come to play a role of prime importance, especially in the case of businesses. A workspace that is replete with energy efficient solutions will contribute towards reducing the stress created by non-renewable resources.

• Smart thermostats, which come attached with sensors, can be regulated on the basis of the needs of a certain space.
• Smart lighting systems equipped with LED light fixtures, dimmers and sensors that activate when employees are present in the room and deactivate on sensing no human activity.
• Installing solar panels and structuring window panels in a manner to make extensive use of natural lighting will eliminate the downsides of artificial lighting.

These technologies help businesses save substantially on annual energy costs.

Smart Offices Upgrade Employee Experience

A business begins to benefits as a result of the employees who have invested their time and energy into it. This is mainly why employers seek to offer a great work experience for long term employee retention. Logistically speaking, smart office designs come equipped with smart desks in addition to voice devices that offer a great working experience.

• Smart Desks: These new stand and sit desks improve an employee’s productivity and well-being. They come technologically enhanced to remind employees to take regular breaks through notifications spaced out in periodic intervals.
• Voice-enabled systems: Devices such as Alexa are eliminating all issues related to conferencing, setting up reminders, tracking daily tasks and managing employee calendars.
• Biometric turnstiles: ID recognition machines designed in a way that requires an employee to just wave their card as opposed to lining up in a queue to swipe them will enhance productivity.
• Destination controlled lifts: These come attributed with the ability to place people working on the same floor together and bring down the amount of wait time.

Employees, thereby, are at the receiving end of an experience that improves time management and lets them multitask. Thus, increasing target achievement.

Company Graphs Are Set To Be Upgraded

These benefits will be mined by only those businesses that are able to successfully upgrade their workspace. Looking at the way trends are developing when it comes to smart offices, future employees will gravitate towards a workplace run by the Internet of Things.

Monetary incentives set aside, a business will soon be able to offer employees an opportunity to reach their optimal potential. Acquiring such talent that will bring with it a world of development will be quite the cakewalk for upgraded offices. Such driven employees will only add ignition to the rapidly growing graph of the company’s success.

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