The Top 5 Features Workspace Managers Are Looking for in an IWMS

Despite the obvious differences between your home and your business software solutions, the two have more in common that you might realize. Your house is a collection of elements, strategically planned and balanced, with its future inhabitant’s needs in mind. Each component works with the next, offering a streamlined flow that offers both efficiency and comfort. But, just like everything else, what works for one might not work for another.

The same could be said for Workplace Management software. While designed for improving organizational efficiency, each enterprise’s situation is unique; as are their business challenges. In an effort to better understand our clients’ needs and to always deliver the very best in business tools, we asked our clients what elements were most critical in their IWMS and why they chose iOffice over the competition.

Let’s take a look at their responses – some may surprise you!

#1 Overall Functionality

The purpose of investing in an IWMS is to enhance and support workplace processes. Your new tool should be well-designed and intuitive, assisting you in anticipating future needs before they arise. Our clients sought out a solution that would not only support their business practices, but that would help analyze processes, identify inefficiencies, and improve overall quality. While many enterprises are broken down into various departments, the key to organizational efficiency is communication, collaboration, and transparency between departmental software solutions and the workforce. A highly functional tool will assist you in bringing it all together.

 #2 Ease of use

96% of surveyed customers evaluate iOffice’s ease of use as better compared to other IWMS tools.

In the end it doesn’t matter how effective a system is; if no one is using it, it’s a failure. Keep in mind that your workforce likely already has business tools they’ve been utilizing for years. Even if they aren’t the most efficient, they’ve become accustomed to the software and have learned all the workarounds to get what they need out of it. Choose a tool that is designed for all experience levels and involve your workforce throughout the decision-making process. This will help combat employee resistance, as well as root out any procedural issues that might need to be addressed. Your IWMS should integrate seamlessly with your established network, keeping employees connected with each other, and offering your workplace management team the data they need to enhance facilities performance.

#3 Flexibility

Flexibility is critical to the success of your Integrated Workplace Management System. The goal is to enhance processes, so it doesn’t make sense to abandon what has already been working for you. However, as short and long-term goals are met, your needs and the effectiveness of various processes will evolve as well. Your system must be robust and flexible enough to handle these changes with ease, growing with you over time.

#4 Configurability

While approximately 80% of your needs will be met with an out-of-the-box solution, roughly 20% will need to be customized to your enterprise. Align yourself with a software vendor that is equipped to fulfill those needs both now and moving forward.

#5 Modular Approach

We were surprised to find that software price came in at #7 on the list of attributes influencing which solution our clients chose. While cost is always a factor, what many found more important was the ability to pick and choose which modules to implement.

Many software vendors require their customers to purchase software packages that include modules that might never be used. Not only do these packages come with a hefty price tag, they deliver a tool that is too complex. These complexities create frustration with the workforce, forcing them to abandon the platform before ever having an opportunity to fully realize its benefits. Beware of bundling and seek out a modular system, which can change with your existing needs.

Much like designing a home, your workplace management tool must be designed with the end user in mind from your IT department to your marketing team to the C-level suite. While each organization’s needs are unique to their industry, size, clientele, and goals, there are certain basic requirements necessary to realize a return on your investment. You can’t invest in a solution that isn’t intuitive and easy to use, any more than you can live in a house without doors and windows. Consider the above properties when evaluating your options for your new workplace management software solution.