Planning for the future? A workplace platform can help you stay future-proof
No one can predict the future. For businesses, the uncertainty of the future can mean a lot of things. It can be exciting and challenging, but also stressful and overwhelming. Having a workplace platform with tools that fit your current needs is a great start to getting your organization set up for effective work, but what happens in a few years when there are new, better tools your organization needs? According to NPR, 5.4 million companies filed new business applications in 2021. With so many businesses and new tools on the rise, it can feel like you’re always a step behind.
We can’t be certain what the future of work will look like, but we can be certain that we’ll need new technology to support it. So how do you make sure your workplace platform is future-proof? When evaluating whether a workplace platform can set you up for long-term success, make sure you check these important boxes:
Invest in mobile-first technology
Smartphones are an essential part of our everyday lives. They’re no longer just a means for communication, but they’re a multifunctional workplace tool as well. Since many employees use a mobile device, it’s key to invest in a mobile-first platform.Empowering your workplace with a mobile-first solution will make your employees’ workday more seamless. For example, they can use their phones to unlock doors in the workplace or reserve their desk for the day. They can even use their phone as an all-in-one badge to access parking lots, AV equipment, smart lockers, and more. With a mobile-first approach, the potential to expand capabilities goes beyond what’s available today.
Rely on an open, flexible platform
An open workplace platform is crucial for a future-proof workplace. An open platform allows you to edit, modify, and adapt components of the software for different and new functionalities. For example, think about building’s access control. Companies might have already invested money in their hardware systems. Rather than replacing the entire system, they can just look for a workplace platform that connects with their existing solution.Technology is ever-evolving, and there’s no way to predict what the next best technology will be. You don’t want to risk being stuck with legacy tools that you’ll have to eventually replace. Not only is that costly, but it’s also inefficient.
By prioritizing an open platform that lets you make modifications as your company’s tech needs evolve, you can stay on top of new technologies in the most cost-effective and useful way.
Empower your teams with workplace data
In the last two years, we’ve seen companies adapt in every possible way. From massive layoffs to hiring frenzies, fully remote work to hybrid work, companies have had to shapeshift based on the circumstance.Maybe today you’re staffed at 300 employees but are projecting 2,000 in a few years. How can you make sure your workplace platform can support you as you grow? If your workplace platform can provide analytics on office foot traffic and resource utilization, you can use that data to plan expansion. For example, if you can pull a report on how many desks are being used in March compared to June, you can predict whether or not you’re reaching capacity. Let’s say on the busiest day of the week, your desks are 90% booked. Well, now you know that your workplace needs more desks.
Workplace analytics software gives you a birds-eye view of how you can improve the workplace. It also allows you to make data-driven decisions as you forecast, plan, and invest in workplace resources.
Regularly review your tech stack
Regularly checking on your existing tech stack is going to be useful for planning for the future. You can’t plan upgrades without first auditing what you have and how useful it is. This is where employee feedback comes to play. Employees interact with the tools in your workplace platform everyday. So send out a feedback survey every quarter that allows them to share their thoughts and suggestions for improvement. You can include questions about productivity, distractions, ease of use, and future wishlists. Your employees can provide honest thoughts and help guide your company towards improvements.
Plus, workplace platforms are always adding new features and addressing bugs. Be sure to frequently run software updates and tell your employees when there are new features they should be using.
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As you figure out what tools and amenities your employees need in the workplace to get work done, you should prepare to adjust. If you’ve invested in a mobile-first and open platform, you’ll be prepared for whatever the future holds for your company.