The importance of workplace optimization is expected to grow in the next few years. The demand for facilities management professionals is already on the rise. Alternative office practices and telecommuting, as well as technologies like desk scheduling software, are becoming part of the new norm. All of this adds up to better control over how your employees interact within your facilities.
It is easy to add checks and balances to the workplace by implementing a desk scheduling system. There are many benefits to exploring new desk concepts and oversight controls. The article examines the benefits of turning your workspace into an on-demand booking system based on first-come, first-serve availability.
Describe Desk Scheduling Software.
Front-facing employee functions and back-end management functions are both part of a desk scheduling system.
Scheduling software facilitates employee interaction with the workplace on the front end. As soon as he visits the scheduling portal, he searches for available desks. When he finds one, he reserves it for a desired period of time. Frank will do the same thing when he looks for a desk. Lyle and Frank cannot book the same desk, which means there will be no interruptions, disagreements, or miscommunications – only a peaceful, productive work environment.
To learn more about employee needs, wants, and expectations, facility managers gather data from employee booking habits. It provides opportunities for improvement. To better utilize space, a facility manager may reduce the number of cubicle spaces and increase bench seating.
An online desk booking platform offers broad potential, both on the front-end and back-end. Both employees and companies can benefit from the system when it is properly implemented. Consider these five benefits.
1. More time saved
Finding the perfect location for your business can take a lot of time. If you manage 20 employees, every one of them spends just five minutes looking for a desk each day. You’ve wasted 100 minutes every day! Many hours are wasted as well. There are just over eight hours wasted per week and more than 415 wasted hours per year.
The desk booking process reduces this time because employees know the desk will be open when they arrive. There’s no need to search for an open spot when you know where yours is and how long you booked it.
2. More efficient use of space
Employees who use Hot desk booking software are more likely to use space they might not otherwise. A desk similar to the one they want is available nearby… but not the one they want right now. Alternative bookings result in more efficient use of available space and better accommodations for employees. An employee booking system gently reminds people to book desks they wouldn’t otherwise look for. Desks are not idle.
3. Fewer interruptions
Imagine trying to host a meeting as someone keeps opening the door to see if the space is available every few minutes. Imagine how difficult it would be to focus on a project if someone came up to you and asked how long you would be in space. This type of interruption is completely avoidable with desk scheduling software. The employees can move on to the next option or book another time if a desk doesn’t appear at the point of booking-or shows that it’s occupied. We have no interruptions. There is no friction. There are no headaches.
4. Occupancy compliance
Social distance and COVID-19 guidelines have made space occupancy a top concern. The reorganization of rooms, revision of floor plans, and planning for new occupants present new challenges to facility managers. Scheduling software simplifies this process and improves the results.
At the time of booking, program rooms to limit occupancy. Make certain desks unavailable. Provide employees with warnings or reminders when they book certain desks or spaces. Facility managers can promote compliance by booking space before it is used.