When it comes to shared workspaces, we know technology is one of the driving forces behind a successful location. Let’s take a look at some of the most important workspace technology trends shaping the Coworking industry.
The Internet of Things
What is the IoT? Basically its the wide scope of interconnected amenities we use daily to send and receive data. The IoT includes physical devices such as virtual assistants, vehicles, appliances, smartphones, and just about anything else you can think of. Most of these ‘things’ aid in any work environment, with Coworking being chief among them.
Like this Forbes article suggested nearly 4 years ago, anything that can be connected, will be connected. What do we want in a Coworking space? Connections. Building community. Enhancing relationships. The IoT, through all its ups and downs, does improve the atmosphere and the benefits of a shared workspace.
It powers meeting spaces. It does things as minor as running automated coffee machines. And it powers things as major as keyless access systems. It promotes energy saving throughout the office. The uses of IoT are endless and only growing.
By 2020, the number of connected ‘things’ is expected to reach 50 BILLION, and the crazy part is that an estimated 99% of those ‘things’ can be further optimized. 94% of offices that chose to implement the IoT have already seen a return on investment.
The future is only going to bring further implementation of the IoT in shared workspaces.
Mobilization
Just about anything can be done via a mobile device in today’s society. And in the very near future, that ‘just about anything’ will become ‘literally everything’. Mobilization of our world is happening faster than any other aspect of our business lives.
You can successfully run your Coworking space from anywhere in the world via mobile phone, laptops, tablets, etc. This is allowing operators to work on expansion, on new design concepts, on marketing, and many other aspects of running a workspace while the day to day space basically runs itself.
There’s so many apps we use that sometimes its hard to keep track. Specifically here, we’re referring to the apps that help you stay connected to your members, that help members connect with eachother, and that help you expand your space.
Slack has become one of the most popular team messaging apps. You can join ‘workspaces’, such as #CoworkingLeadership , and anyone can post related to that topic in that forum. Countless Coworking spaces are using Slack to help build connectivity within its members.
SurveyMonkey and MailChimp are two of the biggest sites for blasting out mass information to your members, to your prospects, or anyone in between. They’re invaluable resources for gathering data to help improve your space.
Kisi, which we’ve talked about before, is the premier keyless access system. It’s a perfect example of the IoT improving your Coworking space. Kisi integrates seamlessly with the Yardi Kube platform, and provides tons of advantages for your workspace, from security, to scheduled access, to financial savings, among others.
Virtual Reality
We have seen the rise in virtual reality and augmented reality play a role in our entertainment. But it truly is going to be a part of the Coworking revolution as well. VR technology is going to allow for more and more virtual meetings, while someone with a VR headset will basically have access to unlimited monitors, with an artificial keyboard and mouse.
Not to mention the improvements that will be made in collaboration. We’re going to get to the point where you can basically be sitting next to anyone in the world while connected via 3D VR.
We have already seen trends in less desk space needed in shared spaces, and this is only going to continue to trend. Between mobilization and VR, conventional desks will one day become virtually (pun intended) obsolete.
Management Platform
The more sophisticated your needs become, the more Yardi Kube delivers for your space. Yardi Kube is designed to streamline all facets of your day to day operation, including billing, booking, lead management, voice/data, and more. And with the upcoming launch of Yardi Kube, the newest iteration of our powerful platform, even more control will be at your fingertips.
There is no way to quantify the value of the technology enhancements that the right workspace management platform can provide. It has taken countless manual processes and automated them in one complete solution. No more spreadsheets, no more calculators, no more hassle.
Yardi Kube integrates seamlessly with merchant and billing applications, with door access control software, provides all the tools to manage room and space bookings, among many other features.