Space Planning Software Trends for 2020 and Beyond

by Chad Smith on December 18, 2019
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Product Benchmark: Space & Workplace Management Software
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As we reach not only the end of the year but the end of the decade, it’s tempting to look back. But for facilities managers, the only direction we have time to move is forward. Space planning software can give you a clear picture of your current space utilization so you can more accurately forecast future real estate needs. And just like the workplace, it has come a long way over the past decade.

If you’re wondering what’s on the horizon, here are four space planning software trends you can expect to see in the upcoming year.

3 Space Planning Software Trends For 2020

1. More Robust Space Utilization Metrics

One of the core benefits of space planning software is that it offers a central repository for all occupancy and space utilization data, which you can use to understand how efficiently your organization is using its available space. As we move into 2020, the way this data is captured will evolve.

In the past, space planning software relied on badge swipes, network sign-ons or the input of manual data. Now, with space planning software that integrates with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, you can access critical space data in real time.

Sensors have been around for years, but many organizations are just beginning to utilize them for space planning purposes. Space planning software helps you make sense of sensor data so you can make smarter, data-driven decisions.

For instance, you can:

  • See what percentage of your space is being used at any given time
  • Identify which types of spaces are in high demand and which are underutilized
  • Identify which days of the week and which times of the day have the highest occupancy so you can plan accordingly
  • Maximize the ROI of every office and workstation by moving to reservation-based seating

As more organizations move toward an agile work environment, space planning software that integrates with IoT sensors will add even more value. With the ability to see sensor data in easy-to-read dashboards, you can measure actual space utilization and determine the ideal desk-to-employee ratio.

2. Integration With Other Workplace Services

In an agile workplace where there are no assigned seats, the ability to find and reserve available space is critical. Employees also need to be able to find colleagues who move around the office throughout the day. And as they collaborate more frequently with teams who are located remotely, they need to be able to access essential resources, quickly request service and more.

For these reasons, the best space management solutions also incorporate workplace services such as wayfinding and room reservation. These features help employees navigate their environment, which is particularly helpful if they are visiting a new office within your company or working on a contract basis.

“The most impactful workplace services are booking capabilities that find near perfect matches to user criteria, tools such as wayfinding to cut down on the time to takes to reach desired destinations and visitor management.”

-Verdantix Product Benchmark: Space and Workplace Management Software

We can also expect to see more integrations with workplace services that enhance employee comfort. The space planning software that scored the highest in the most recent Verdantix report allows employees and occupants to give feedback about their environment through surveys and questionnaires. The top scoring vendors also offer “highly user-friendly and interactive interfaces,” such as a mobile app.

3. More Intuitive Restacking and Move Management

Space planning software has always been an essential foundation for visualizing and executing office moves. You can use the software to see all your real estate at a glance and then use move management tools to easily drag and drop desks from one location to another. As organizations grow larger and more distributed, space and move planning software will continue to evolve to become more sophisticated. Facilities managers and corporate real estate leaders need a faster way to plan large moves involving hundreds of people with just a few clicks. They also want to reduce the manual work of creating many individual move tickets. Because we stay in constant communication with our customers, iOFFICE was well aware of these needs and recently released expanded move functionality within our Space Desktop.

This allows space planners to more easily move an entire building, department or floor. They can see the see the square footage, capacity, assigned and available seats for their current space and the new destination within a single screen. They can also select entire groups of employees and “shelf” them until they decide where to move them. And they can create move tickets for entire groups of people, allowing them to accommodate new capital projects, mergers and acquisitions and the launch of new product lines as quickly as they happen.

Get Ahead Of Space Planning Software Trends

As we move into a new decade, space planning software will be used for much more than just visualizing floorplans or monitoring occupancy. It will play an increasingly important role in helping workplace leaders plan for the future, maximize space utilization and provide connected experiences that keep employees engaged.

iOFFICE’s space management software is the preferred choice for both workplace leaders and employees.

Workplace leaders gain robust reporting capabilities around key space utilization metrics, which enables intelligent space planning, smart maintenance and more.

Meanwhile, employees can use mobile apps and kiosks to find people and places, reserve rooms, request service and receive mail or visitors.

Our space management software simplifies real estate planning and workplace management, allowing you to:

  • Improve space utilization
  • Reduce real estate costs
  • Easily plan moves
  • Help employees workplace services that improve productivity and enhance the employee experience

Verdantix gave iOFFICE the highest rating among 23 space planning software solutions, noting its robust functionality, reporting capabilities and intuitive user interface. With the iOFFICE Hummingbird mobile app, employees can easily navigate your workplace, stay connected to their colleagues and access the services and resources they need to be productive.

Want to see how our space planning software prepares your organization for the future? Request a demo today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chad Smith

As the VP of Product Strategy, Chad David Smith wears many hats that leverage his 20+ years of experience in the industry. Chad collaborates directly with clients and partners as well as with the iOFFICE client experience, client success, sales, marketing and development teams to create the most innovative and valued solutions for our clients.

Capterra Ratings: ★★★★★ 4.5/5