There’s no denying that technology has revolutionized how people work. Anyone can work at their desk, in breakout areas, or casual seating areas. Wifi makes it possible to work from a laptop or even a smartphone, and software continues to make workers more efficient at completing tasks and projects.
Now, technology is going further with the spread of hybrid work environments. Flexible work environments have significantly changed business needs, especially when it comes to searching for commercial space for rent.
Office spaces are becoming meeting spaces as much as they are working spaces. People go to offices to connect, engage, and interact with their clients and coworkers.
This technology isn’t restricted to state-of-the-art offices that house leading companies. Instead, it’s mainstream and can be used in any commercial property for rent.
Technology in modern office rentals can range from sharing and storing documents, communicating with fellow team members, safety and security, and managing the environment in the office space for rent.
As companies plan long-term, hybrid work environments, their needs for commercial space for rent are evolving.
Communication and Collaboration
The flexibility of remote work has changed how teams communicate and collaborate, and cloud-based software meets that need. Cloud-based software is hosted in the cloud, and employees can access it on a web browser, an app, or a virtual desktop. It allows documents to be stored in a centralized place where team members can share and collaborate.
A messaging program is also a must-have. Teams can have special channels to discuss progress, or managers can send a direct message to their staff, giving them a dedicated space to communicate with one another.
Image by Lynette Coulston from Pixabay
Video-conferencing meetings make it possible for employees working from home or on the road to participate in discussions. It improves availability so that people don’t have to simultaneously be in the same building. It cuts back on time and expenses so that clients and business partners travel less for in-person visits.
As companies search for office space for rent, it may be beneficial to have designated meeting areas where they can install equipment, lighting, and sound systems that facilitate digital meetings.
Digitally managed workspaces allow employees to access data from any location on any device. Many digitally-controlled workspaces allow teams to share and collaborate even while working remotely.
Project management tools help teams track tasks and milestones, and digital design and cloud services can help them share files in real time.
Automation and Efficiency
Clipboards and paper sign-up sheets for tracking visitors are a thing of the past. Filling out forms adds more workload and is inefficient for tracking visitors.
A digital visitor log can track the times and dates that visitors come into the office, improving safety and security for the whole team. Some programs even offer an app or a QR code that allows them to check in and out, saving them time and improving traffic through the reception area.
Scheduling meetings for three or more people is a frustrating and time-consuming process. It’s almost impossible to find blocks of time on the calendar when all participants are available.
A booking software that allows people to book work and meeting spaces and view availability quickly will improve efficiency and communication.
Security and Privacy
Digital workspaces heighten security by giving IT a broad view of network traffic, users, and endpoints, which can protect sensitive data when it’s being transferred remotely. Artificial intelligence can respond to hacks and security breaches before they become a problem.
For an added layer of security, some businesses build a geofence, a virtual perimeter around a physical location. In the event of a natural disaster or criminal activity, the geofence informs managers and first responders of the building’s occupants, improving response time and possibly saving lives. When employees, contractors, and visitors use their phones to check in, the app uses GPS to verify that they are onsite.
As companies explore office space for rent, they should consider the security of the space, how it will facilitate visitor traffic, and how the company will geofence the area. Whether employees are in the office in Clifton, NY, at home, or on the road, they can effectively communicate with their team.
Amenities and Comfort
Smart technology has made incredible advancements in how companies manage office rentals. Workers no longer have to endure stuffy, poorly insulated offices with fluorescent lighting. With smart technology, companies can make any commercial space for rent comfortable and efficient.
When searching offices for lease in Clifton, NY, companies should look for a space where they can install smart technology that controls lighting, temperature, cameras, and devices from the same hub. To improve efficiency and cost, businesses can use smart technology to automate heat, air conditioning, ventilation, air filtering, and lighting. More importantly, these settings can be custom set in almost any office space for lease.
Personalized heating and lighting systems make it possible to have custom settings for the office environment, and some programs go so far as store and automate your personal preferences.
Conclusion
Technology in modern office rentals has evolved well beyond computer screens and operating systems.
Video conferencing gives workers the flexibility to balance their personal and professional lives, and smart devices enable them to stay on track and do their best work in an environment that most inspires them.
Smart technology creates a welcoming environment that feels natural to employees, and digitally managed workspaces provide extra layers of safety and security for the whole team. Workers are no longer tied to their desks, and now more than ever, they have the freedom to be happy in their work while also being productive.
Additional Resources
- “Workplaces Disrupted: The Office of the Future” https://www.aesc.org/insights/magazine/article/workplaces-disrupted-office-future
- “The Modern Workplace and Employment” https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/modern-workplace-employment/61785/
- “Best Technology in the Workplace Design” https://designmuseumfoundation.org/best-technology-in-the-workplace-design/
- ”The Workplace is Changing: Real Estate” https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/workplace-is-changing-real-etsate/
- “COVID 19 Pandemic Puts Workplace Technology in the Spotlight” https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/covid-19-pandemic-puts-workplace-technology-in-the-spotlight.aspx
- “Online Platforms for the Future of Work” https://unpaywall.org/10.1016%2Fj.infoandorg.2021.100353
- “Future Space: How Audiovisual Technologies are Changing Where We Work and Learn” https://essentials.edmarket.org/2019/12/future-space-how-audiovisual-technologies-are-changing-where-we-work-and-learn/
- “The Decision to Rent vs Buy Technology” https://www.financialexecutives.org/FEI-Daily/January-2019/The-Decision-to-Rent-vs-Buy-Technology.aspx
- “Technology, Culture & The Future of the Architect” https://www.aia.org/pages/6455144-technology-culture–the-future-of-the-arch
- “Technology Impact on Transit Oriented Development” http://twiod.org/index.php/tw/?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=url&subid=10769&urlid=11398&mailid=702
