Last year, we predicted that a tech breakthrough in commercial real estate would be one of the most significant workplace changes to come about in a post-COVID world. Today we’re seeing first-hand how workplaces across multiple sectors use technology to make conditions safer and more hygienic as people return to the office.
Just as the pandemic has affected every area of our lives, the need for a new way of working affects every area of the workspace. Here’s how proptech can help us rise to the challenge.
Anti-COVID Office Technology at Work
1. High-tech wellness checks
Employees must be screened for symptoms before entering their workplace to ensure that they aren’t contagious. Tech is allowing businesses to do this in more efficient ways, reducing the disruption to the workday.
Contactless handheld thermometers are becoming more common tools for office health and safety used to read temperatures accurately. Many teams now complete a quick health survey via a mobile app on their way into the office so that they can be effectively screened before arrival. Some employers are now even using touchless self-service kiosks that read each person’s biometric indicators.
Major hospitality groups, museums and sports arenas have already begun adopting these high-tech temperature check and vaccine validation solutions, like Health Pass from the biometric startup CLEAR, in New York.
2. Touch-free & voice-enabled tech
COVID-19 has caused a surge in voice technology adoption. Around 86% of people said that voice tech would make the office more sanitary, while 77% expected to use this tech more frequently in the next year.
The fewer surfaces workers have to physically touch during their time in the office, the better. Touchless technology plays a crucial role in curbing the spread of germs and bacteria in communal spaces like offices.
Movement-activated doors allow workers to enter and exit spaces without touching anything. Voice-enabled devices and appliances, like those you would find in a modern-day smart home, can also help to dramatically reduce physical contact, especially in areas like break rooms and kitchens.
3. Air filtration
Did you know that around 75% of the air inside an office is recirculated indoor air? Many companies prioritise air filtration and humidity control systems in their buildings to tackle airborne particles’ threat.
Businesses can effectively improve air quality and cleanliness at work by properly installing (and maintaining) their existing HVAC and filtration systems, but some are going a step further with cutting-edge innovations like UV light purification technology. This tech is excellent for neutralising airborne particles, which are smaller than surface-borne particles. Meanwhile, futuristic-looking UVC walkthrough portals work to neutralise germs on all sorts of surfaces, including skin and clothing.
“For one of our managed offices in Singapore, we delivered a self-learning solution that optimises and regulates internal air conditioning using IOT sensors. The system allows real-time information around temperature, CO2, VOC’s and humidity while optimising performance and power consumption. This has proven to deliver savings of between 20 and 38% for the HVAC electrical consumption alone. In the same office, we installed a live moss wall and a 14-metre wall of 3,200 live plants that connects all three floors. This ‘office green lung’ doesn’t just look impressive, but also oxygenates the office environment.” – John Williams, Head of Marketing at The Instant Group
4. Social distancing sensors
Office layouts are changing to accommodate social distancing, with one-way circulation patterns in the hallways and workstations spaced further apart. Several tech startups have also been developing spatial intelligence and people-counting solutions to make social distancing easier.
For example, sensors can monitor occupancy and send alerts when too many people are together in a space. Daily reports can also help identify patterns and help businesses keep their offices at a safe capacity.
5. Automated cleaning
Hygiene in the office is of the utmost importance. The tech in this area is growing in leaps and bounds, far beyond simple hand sanitiser spray. From UV light treatments to self-cleaning surfaces for high-traffic points around the office, companies now have a wealth of germ-busting technology to choose from. More extensive facilities like warehouses can even implement autonomous cleaning solutions carried out by advanced robotic devices.
Did you know? A study found that high-energy UVC light reduced live Coronavirus on laboratory surfaces by 99.7% in just 30 seconds.
6. Enhanced cybersecurity
While much of the new tech we’ve mentioned aims to mitigate the threat of infection, other innovations are addressing the increased security risk that comes with remote working. According to Gartner, 52% of compliance leaders in 2020 said that third-party cybersecurity breaches were their biggest concern due to remote work since the COVID outbreak.
Tech companies are creating solutions that train employees to follow better security habits on their devices to prevent data loss and reduce the risk of cyberattacks.
7. Remote collaboration platforms
When the world switched to remote working during lockdown, demand for reliable videoconferencing and remote collaboration tools immediately skyrocketed. Between Q4 2019 and March 2020, the UK saw a 24% increase in Hangouts Meet downloads, a 20% increase in Zoom downloads and a 13% increase in Microsoft Teams downloads. When offices around the country reopen fully, many meetings and conferences will still be held remotely to minimise in-person gatherings.
Businesses are adapting by implementing systems where employees can reserve a conference room or desk space quickly and easily online. Many in-office meeting spaces are being repurposed and the overall design of the office shifts to allow for better social distancing.
Discuss your office tech needs with a specialist at Instant Offices and discover the ideal office space solution for your return to work.
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