Tech tips for returning to the physical workspace

While offices aren’t back to normal occupancy, many BOMA BC members are working hard to ensure their spaces are safe and welcoming places to return to work. Technology is playing an important role in getting buildings in the best shape possible. Here are a few tech tips from members about what’s working for them.

Ensuring a clean office
Clean buildings are top of mind for everyone these days. Property managers can spend a lot of time fielding questions from tenants about cleaning protocols and schedules. Using technology can cut the time spent on responding to questions.

“One of our tenants – BuiltSpace – has created a scannable QR code that helps cleaners and facilities teams report real-time cleaning,” explains Kevin Soltani, Property Manager for BentallGreenOak. “Anyone can scan the code and find out the last time a space or surface was cleaned instead of having to contact me or one of our team.”

Another part of keeping surfaces clean is making it possible for people to avoid touching them. “Using lessons we’ve learned from CF Guest List – our retail line booking app – we are looking to provide a similar experience for office tenants,” says Lillian Tummonds, General Manager, Pacific Centre & HSBC Building, Cadillac Fairview. “We are looking at potentially utilizing technology to enhance the elevator experience in anticipation of the increased occupancy in our office towers while limiting the number of occupants in each elevator.” Companies like Openpath and Proxy also provide keyless door entry options.

Managing office space
Maintaining physical distancing is important yet challenging to manage with rotating teams or individuals coming into the office. Technology can help ensure there aren't too many people in the office at the same time. “We’ve been using Microsoft Teams for employees to reserve desk space, meeting rooms and complete health screening questionnaires,” says Laura Malley, Director, Property Management BC at Triovest. “It’s a tool we’ve been using to work from home, so it’s familiar to employees and part of our existing Office365 subscription.”

Other companies have turned to specialized online booking software such as Robin Powered and Condeco, or are leveraging existing tools such as Angus Anywhere or Wisp by Gensler. These tools are helpful to manage both employees and tenants coming back into the office and can also be used for amenities (for example, to allow tenants to book time in the gym).

Sensors can also provide near real-time occupancy monitoring. Companies like Basking use artificial intelligence and Wi-Fi to monitor attendance and even assist with contact tracing if there is a COVID-19 case in the building.

While we may not see full office occupancy until 2021, there is a lot property managers can do now to get their buildings ready to welcome back larger groups.