RETURN TO THE OFFICE: REASSESS, REFINE, REIMAGINE

03

WORKSPACE AND COLLABORATION

It’s important to remember that the office used to work well for people in the main. However, it’s also important to remember that returning to it will mean different things to different organisations.

Whereas before, the office was used mostly for individual working with an element of collaboration via defined meetings; now people may choose to use the office solely for collaboration and work quietly alone from another location. Either way, workspace and collaboration is the point where end users engage with technology most in their working day, therefore employee experience is critical.

FOCUS ON...

A FORWARD-FACING STRATEGY

Since working remotely, people have naturally developed different ways of working, using different tools and platforms in different ways. So, how do you bring this complex picture together into something you can work with?

TAKE ACTION

Remember that a great deal of data has been generated in this time, which can be used to inform a forward-facing strategy. Look at the tools you have and understand what more information they can give you, and get to know your people’s needs via persona profiling so that you can start matching experiences to expectations.

THE EQUIPMENT YOUR EMPLOYEES USE

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, people have gathered the equipment they need to be productive – such as second screens, docks and arm supports – within their homes. What are they expected to do when dividing their time between the office and working remotely?

TAKE ACTION

It’s not reasonable to expect people to move their equipment around, so it’s helpful to conduct analysis of where people will work most, in line with what the expected company policy will be. Analyse and understand what assets you and your people have and how they can be redistributed if needed to help accommodate this.

YOUR MEETING SPACES

A return to office will no doubt see a return to some of the meeting room pressures experienced before the pandemic. Additionally, people may be expecting to use meeting rooms differently since working at home for so long – e.g. as a quiet space to make calls.

TAKE ACTION

Changing expectations may lead to a reconfiguration of your office to allow for more meeting spaces, quiet areas for calling and dedicated collaboration spaces. However, consideration also needs to be given to the management of these spaces, therefore utilising effective scheduling and space management technology is essential.

EXISTING OFFICE TECHNOLOGY

Most organisations aren’t able to simply right-size their real-estate to fit the quantity of people expected in the office. Therefore, if you have to reconfigure your space to accommodate new needs, you must ensure both your solution and technology work effectively.

TAKE ACTION

Check that the technology you had in place previously still works to the standard you expect it to. For example, if you have large printers, do the toners still work? Additionally, will people still want to congregate around them? It may be worth considering a print management solution to optimise your print facility. Equally, if you need to deploy new devices, consider Device as a Service (DaaS) as an option that encompasses the lifecycle from provision and supply, to recycle and different financial models.

A FORWARD-FACING STRATEGY

Since working remotely, people have naturally developed different ways of working, using different tools and platforms in different ways. So, how do you bring this complex picture together into something you can work with?

TAKE ACTION

Remember that a great deal of data has been generated in this time, which can be used to inform a forward-facing strategy. Look at the tools you have and understand what more information they can give you, and get to know your people’s needs via persona profiling so that you can start matching experiences to expectations.

THE EQUIPMENT YOUR EMPLOYEES USE

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, people have gathered the equipment they need to be productive – such as second screens, docks and arm supports – within their homes. What are they expected to do when dividing their time between the office and working remotely?

TAKE ACTION

It’s not reasonable to expect people to move their equipment around, so it’s helpful to conduct analysis of where people will work most, in line with what the expected company policy will be. Analyse and understand what assets you and your people have and how they can be redistributed if needed to help accommodate this.

YOUR MEETING SPACES

A return to office will no doubt see a return to some of the meeting room pressures experienced before the pandemic. Additionally, people may be expecting to use meeting rooms differently since working at home for so long – e.g. as a quiet space to make calls.

TAKE ACTION

Changing expectations may lead to a reconfiguration of your office to allow for more meeting spaces, quiet areas for calling and dedicated collaboration spaces. However, consideration also needs to be given to the management of these spaces, therefore utilising effective scheduling and space management technology is essential.

EXISTING OFFICE TECHNOLOGY

Most organisations aren’t able to simply right-size their real-estate to fit the quantity of people expected in the office. Therefore, if you have to reconfigure your space to accommodate new needs, you must ensure both your solution and technology work effectively.

TAKE ACTION

Check that the technology you had in place previously still works to the standard you expect it to. For example, if you have large printers, do the toners still work? Additionally, will people still want to congregate around them? It may be worth considering a print management solution to optimise your print facility. Equally, if you need to deploy new devices, consider Device as a Service (DaaS) as an option that encompasses the lifecycle from provision and supply, to recycle and different financial models.

CONSIDER INVESTING IN...

Smart office solutions

New technologies that help with scheduling and managing people and spaces can help with the logistical side of managing the workplace.

People profiling and asset management services

Helping you understand who works in your organisation and what their needs are, as well as the technology you have available.

Flexible and managed solutions

For example, managed print or DaaS solutions enable you to provide up-to-date and evergreen technologies to your people.

ASK US TO HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR CONNECTIVITY WITH OUR…

Collaboration Assessment

Identify and understand the tools, platforms and processes you already have in place to enable collaboration. Find out more

Device as a Service Solutions

Reduce the cost and complexity of device lifecycle management while also enabling a circular economy to meet your environmental standards. Find out more

User Persona Assessments

Understand your employees’ needs, expectations and behaviours to be able to improve their experiences. Contact your Softcat Account Manager

IT Asset Management

Understand what’s in your technology inventory with our dedicated strategies for overseeing, managing and optimising company-owned IT. Find out more

Find out about SAM Intelligence

Managed Print Service

Analyse your print usage to identify opportunities for cost and efficiency improvements. Find out more

READY TO GET STARTED?

Speak to us to learn more about our services and solutions.

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