Modern technologies in the workplace were the main topic at BuiltWorld's virtual online event "Tech for Impact: Tenant wellbeing". The focus was on how to use technology capabilities to promote tenant wellbeing. Represented were three different modern companies who presented and explained their innovative ideas for today's modern office. Also present were Gregor Hadjiev from Allianz Real Estate and Thomas Veith as a representative of the initiator of the online event, the consulting company PricewaterhouseCoopers. The question is whether the new technologies really have a positive effect on users, or perhaps it is just "too much".
In summary, these topics were highlighted:
Apps for the modern workplace
Well-being at work
Technical innovations versus reality
Modern office buildings, with digital door openers in the office, are no longer an isolated case these days. However, the usefulness of many supposed innovations should be questioned. The question often arises as to whether such innovations really make everyday life easier, or whether they are just more complicated alternatives for simple processes. Until a few years ago, manual activities such as opening doors, switching on the lights or operating the heating were still a matter of course.
Apps for the modern workplace
Nowadays, all these activities can also be done with a click on the smartphone. The company "Space Os", represented by founder Marley Fabisiewicz, deals with exactly such technical aids in everyday office life and has developed an app for this purpose. In addition to practical features, such as opening doors, Fabisiewicz says the app also aims to show users their own ecological footprint. Each user can view their energy consumption and thus consciously make an impact. If many people were to use this technology, a lot of energy could also be saved - or so the idea goes. In addition, contactless door opening is also much more hygienic than using the door handle, as no germs can be applied.
Well-being at work
A similar app was presented by Bronny Wilson. The Australian company "Equiem One", like the other co-speakers, wants to make their users feel more comfortable at work. The idea was to develop a service, comparable to that of a hotel, for an entire company building. Through team-building projects or wellness programs, users should have more fun spending time at work, and the app informs users about these activities.
Another aspect to increase the well-being of office tenants is offered by the company "Oxygen at Work", represented by Manuel Winter. The use of plants is intended to increase the air quality in the office. These plants are said to be the key to good, oxygen-rich air and thus contribute to well-being, a pleasant working atmosphere, sustainability and health. Using existing ventilation systems, the oxygen produced by the plants is distributed throughout the whole office, ensuring good air quality everywhere. Compared to other companies, the well-being of the users is achieved here in a natural way. Employees do not have to make any effort to improve the quality of their work; it happens on its own.
Technical innovations versus reality
Many people just want to do their work at their workplace and then go home again. They wouldn't need wellness programs or anything like that. So users would be spammed with so many technical and physical offers, even though they don't need them at all. Another problem is that people don't have time to use all the features, says Grigor Hadjiev, Head of Development & Innovation at Allianz Real Estate.
He describes that, judging by his practical experience, this kind of technology is not always well received. Many buildings are not compatible with this type of technology, he said. In addition, some tenants would not use an app because they never had to in the past. For Grigor, a mix of digital and old-fashioned technology would be ideal, so users could choose. So you could digitize processes that many residents go through. On the other hand, processes that only individual people control, for example room management, should not necessarily be digitized because the effort would not be worth it.
In conclusion, the question if new technologies in the workplace have a positive effect on users, has not yet been fully answered. There are many different answers to this question, depending, among other things, on the personal feelings of the tenants. Arguments in favor of the high-tech office can be found, as well as arguments against it. In addition to app-controlled navigation through the building, a good hygiene concept should also be considered when it comes to the well-being of tenants, and not just in the current times.
It is clear that the topic of "Tenant Wellbeing" is steadily gaining in importance and there is certainly still much need for discussion. We are all curious to see what the future will bring.
Do you also want your employees to enjoy coming to the office?
Reference:
Online-Event from BuiltWorld „Tech for Impact: Tenant wellbeing" at 21.10.2022
Fotocredit:
Timo Miroshnichenko von Pexels.com
Andrea Piacquadio von Pexels.com
Published: 30. November 2022