Workplace Consulting and the need for IT/AV input
Peter Davis, our Projects Director explores the IT/AV challenges and opportunities in today’s workplace.
According to Wikipedia, Workplace Consulting or Strategy, is ‘the dynamic alignment of an organization’s work patterns with the work environment to enable peak performance and reduce costs’.
Undertaken by Architects, Interior Designers or Workplace Consultants, this is a specialist and technical discipline which delivers a vision and capability for new ways of working and improved occupancy. The focus is primarily on the space and behavioural aspects of an organisation to meet a variety of business objectives and the process is often undertaken in isolation, without input from other disciplines.
This short article argues the case for the inclusion of IT/AV consultancy input to the process to mirror and support the workplace strategy with technology enablement of space and people
Technology advancement, particularly mobile technology, has had a profound effect on the way organisations do business, both internally and externally. People are now free from the constraints of ‘their desk’ and can be just as productive anywhere; in the office, home or on the move. In the office environment this has driven a need for all spaces to be supportive of productivity – from the desk to the meeting room to collaborative areas – so much so that it could be argued that technology adoption has actually provided the blueprint for modern workplace strategy.
Generally workplace strategies are underpinned by two key tenets, namely agility of the workplace and mobility of people within that space. Looking at these in more detail we can explore the direct correlation between these workplace drivers and technology.
Agile spaces; free-seating, breakout spaces, hub areas, focus booths, meeting rooms, collaborative areas etc. require technologies that provide an enhanced experience for staff, at least as good, if not better, than that enjoyed at the desk. To make these spaces agile requires comprehensive coverage of easy to use, integrated technology such as screens in meeting rooms for presentation, audio and video conferencing for communications, unified communications platforms and power/data outlets. The vision for building agility can therefore only come to life when explored in partnership with technology.
Workplace Strategy and Tech Integration
Technology mobility for staff is a given in today’s workplace; few people don’t have a mobile phone, tablet or laptop, either provided or their own and they expect to be able to access corporate applications and services throughout the building. So staff need a variety of technologies to enable this; secure, ubiquitous, multi-access WiFi for corporate network and internet connectivity, wireless screen presentation, way finding and digital signage etc. During workplace strategising it is vital that these technologies for staff mobility are understood, explored and considered as part of the process.
Most organisations now employ staff of all ages, from baby boomers to Generation Y and will soon include Generation Z. They all have differing technology aspirations and use capability, from tech savvy graduates to pen and paper addicts. Understanding these variances and interpreting the requirements into the workplace is key to success. This further re-enforces the need for qualified consultants to work alongside Workplace Consultants.
As the workplace becomes more diversified, so the need for occupancy monitoring and capacity planning becomes increasingly important. Additionally, an agile workplace with mobile workers requires a measure of smart building technology to ensure that comfort and efficiency of the space can be automated. There is now a direct correlation between new ways of working and the need for building intelligence and so should be developed in parallel with the workplace strategy.
In summary, to be comprehensive, holistic and delivering the right solution, Workplace Consulting requires technology consultancy input to be a seamless part of the process. Only then can an organisation be fully advised on suitable solutions to its space and working practices requirements.
Blend Technology Consultants have supported Workplace Consultants on numerous assignments, strategising and interpreting the technology requirements throughout the process.
For more information please contact us or speak to one of the Blend team.
