New Coworking Trends

Tech's Important Role

By Luis Estrada on Jul 24, 2018 in Coworking

When it comes to shared workspaces, we know technology is a major driving force. Today we look at some of the most important workspace technology trends shaping the coworking industry.

The Internet of Things

What is the IoT? Basically it is the connected amenities we use daily to send and receive data. The IoT includes physical devices such as virtual assistants, vehicles, appliances, smartphones, and just about anything else you can think of.

Like this Forbes article suggested nearly 4 years ago, anything that can be connected, will be connected. What do we want in a coworking space? Smart connections. Building community. Enhancing relationships. The IoT improves the atmosphere and the benefits of a shared workspace.

IoT powers meeting spaces, runs automated coffee machines, controls keyless access systems, promotes energy saving and much more. The uses of IoT are endless and only growing.

By 2020, the number of connected ‘things’ is expected to reach 50 billion, and an estimated 99% of those ‘things’ can be further optimized. 94% of offices that chose to implement the IoT have already seen a return on investment. The future is only going to bring wider implementation of the IoT in shared workspaces.

Mobilization

Just about anything can be done via a mobile device today. And in the very near future, that ‘just about anything’ will become ‘literally everything’. Mobilization of our world is happening faster than any other aspect of our business lives.

You can successfully run your coworking space from anywhere in the world via mobile phone, laptops, tablets, and more. This is allowing operators to work on expansion, design concepts, marketing, and many other aspects of running a workspace while the day to day running of the space basically runs itself.

There’s so many coworking-relevant apps that it can be hard to keep track. Specifically, we’re referring to the apps that help you stay connected to your members, that help members connect with each other, and that help you expand your space.

Slack has become one of the most popular team messaging apps. You can join ‘workspaces’, such as #CoworkingLeadership, and anyone can post related to the topic. Countless coworking spaces are using Slack to help build connectivity.

SurveyMonkey and MailChimp are two of the biggest sites for blasting out mass information to your members, to your prospects, or anyone in between. They’re also invaluable resources for gathering market data to help improve your space.

Kisi, which we’ve talked about before, is the premier keyless access system. It’s a perfect example of the IoT improving your Coworking space. Kisi integrates seamlessly with the KUBE platform, and provides tons of advantages for your workspace, from security, to scheduled access, to financial savings, among others.

Virtual Reality

We have seen the rise in virtual reality and augmented reality play a role in our entertainment. It is going to be a part of the coworking revolution as well. VR technology is going to allow for more and more virtual meetings, while someone with a VR headset will basically have access to unlimited monitors, with an artificial keyboard and mouse.

Improvements in collaboration via VR are expected. We’re going to get to the point where you can basically be sitting next to anyone in the world while connected via 3D VR.

We have already seen trends in less desk space needed in shared spaces, and this is only going to continue. Between mobilization and VR, conventional desks will one day become virtually (pun intended) obsolete.

Management Platform

The more sophisticated your needs become, the more KUBE delivers for your space. KUBE by WUN is designed to streamline all facets of your day to day operation, including billing, booking, lead management, voice/data, and more. And with the upcoming launch of Yardi KUBE, the newest iteration of our powerful platform, even more control will be at your fingertips.

There is no way to quantify the value of the technology enhancements that the right workspace management platform can provide. It has taken countless manual processes and automated them in one complete solution. No more spreadsheets, no more calculators, no more hassle.

KUBE integrates seamlessly with merchant and billing applications, with door access control software, provides all the tools to manage room and space bookings, among many other features. Learn more about how KUBE can help your coworking space.