Unlocking the Power of Workplace Platforms: Streamlining Your Workplace Experience

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving work environment, technology can make or break the workplace experience. Too many touch points can be stressful and overwhelming for employees, especially in the era of hybrid work. Imagine a hybrid employee who needs to register to come on-site, reserve a desk, book meeting rooms, and badge in to access the office – all before even starting their workday. It's no wonder that this can be an overwhelming experience!

The Solution: Workplace Platforms

The key to solving the pain point of having too many tools is a workplace platform. But what exactly is a workplace platform? In essence, it is workplace management software that brings together the services and tools that employees rely on into one place. By streamlining day-to-day processes, workplace platforms help companies create safer, more flexible, and more delightful workplaces.

Think of a workplace platform as the toolbox containing all the tools and technology needed to enhance the workplace experience. This toolbox consists of two main components: core features and third-party integrations.

Core Features of a Workplace Platform

1. Employee Scheduling: With the shift to hybrid work and flexible schedules, employees need to know who will be on-site each day. A scheduling tool allows employees to register their upcoming days in the office and see which teammates will be there on the same day.

2. Desk and Room Reservations: Employees need comfortable and productive spaces to innovate, get tasks done, and collaborate. A hot desk booking solution] and [room scheduling software make it easy for employees to find and reserve workspaces and meeting rooms.

3. Visitor Management: As offices reopen, managing visitors is crucial. A visitor management system helps keep track of who's coming in and out of the workplace and ensures that visitors are healthy before they come on-site.

4. Mailroom Management: With the increase in workplace deliveries, a mailroom management software can automate the process of notifying and reminding recipients to retrieve their packages, avoiding package pileups.

5. Workplace Analytics: Understanding how people use a workplace is essential for designing a space that meets their needs. A workplace platform with a comprehensive workplace analytics dashboard allows for a holistic view of what's happening in the workplace.

Third-Party Integrations

While core features lay the foundation, integrations are essential to future-proofing your workplace tech stack. Integrations allow you to seamlessly connect your workplace platform with the tools your workplace and employees rely on, such as Slack, Zoom, or Okta. This reduces the need to switch between apps, automates workflows, and makes it easier for IT teams to monitor all apps on one platform.

Some examples of integrations include:

• Notification Integrations: Streamline communication by integrating tools like Slack], and [Zoom.
• File Storage Integrations: Automatically save important documents using integrations like Docusign] or [Box.
• Wi-Fi Integrations: Grant secure internet access to visitors and vendors on-site.
• Health & Safety Integrations: Ensure employees are healthy and approved to be on-site with integrations like Athena] or [FLIR.
• Employee Experiences: Enhance the office experience with integrations like Cater2.me for ordering food on days on-site.

The Benefits of a Workplace Platform

A workplace platform can help your organization in numerous ways:

1. Reduce Unnecessary Spend: By consolidating tools and services, you can eliminate redundant costs.

2. Improve Connectivity: Integrations allow for seamless communication and collaboration across teams and tools.

3. Enhance Employee Experience: By streamlining processes and reducing the number of tools employees need to use, you can create a more enjoyable and less stressful work environment.

4. Provide Valuable Data: Workplace analytics give IT teams critical data on foot traffic, allowing them to plan ahead based on expected on-site presence.

Conclusion

In today's dynamic work environment, a workplace platform is the key to unlocking a more efficient, connected, and enjoyable workplace experience. By bringing together essential tools and services, and allowing for seamless integrations, workplace platforms can revolutionize the way your organization manages its workspace and supports its employees.

When evaluating workplace platforms, consider the core features and integrations that will best serve your organization's needs, and look for a platform that allows for custom integrations to future-proof your tech stack. With the right workplace platform in place, you can create a workplace that is safer, more flexible, and more delightful for everyone.