• Marketplace
  • Resources
  • Business Directory
  • Events
  • Advertise
  • Brand Pulse
  • Publish a Press Release
  • Get the Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About Us
The FUTURE OF WORK® since 2003
Allwork.Space
No Result
View All Result
Subscribe
  • More
    • Columnists
      • Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Office Whisperer
      • Nirit Cohen – WorkFutures
      • Angela Howard – Culture Expert
      • Drew Jones – Design & Innovation
      • Jonathan Price – CRE & Flex Expert
    • Get the Newsletter
    • Events
    • Advertise With Us
    • Publish a Press Release
    • Brand PulseNew
    • Partner Portal
  • Latest News
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Work-life
  • Career Growth
  • Tech
  • Design
  • Workforce
  • Coworking
  • CRE
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Columnists
      • Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Office Whisperer
      • Nirit Cohen – WorkFutures
      • Angela Howard – Culture Expert
      • Drew Jones – Design & Innovation
      • Jonathan Price – CRE & Flex Expert
    • Get the Newsletter
    • Events
    • Advertise With Us
    • Publish a Press Release
    • Brand PulseNew
    • Partner Portal
  • Latest News
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Work-life
  • Career Growth
  • Tech
  • Design
  • Workforce
  • Coworking
  • CRE
  • Podcast
No Result
View All Result
Subscribe
Allwork.Space
No Result
View All Result
Advertisements
Nexudus - Tech Stack Lovers
Home Tech

2020: (What A) Year in Tech

Gemma ChurchbyGemma Church
December 28, 2020
in Tech
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
Alex Future of Work Template Articles

Allwork.Space’s tech writer, Gemma Church, sums up the 5 biggest tech takeaways from the world of flexible space in 2020.

  • Digital adoption rates skyrocketed for coworking and flexible spaces in 2020.
  • Zoom, touchless tech, occupancy sensors and robot cleaners were all success stories.
  • Operators must focus on cyber security and data security in the year ahead.

Every year, I write a roundup of the tech-that-was. Invariably, there are some interesting developments in the PropTech market, some flashy gadgets have come and gone, and next year is definitely going to be the year when VR goes mainstream.

This year, a pandemic hit. And technology was, arguably, the only winner from the mess that was 2020.

Advertisements
Maximize Flexible Space Revenue

Digital adoption rates accelerated by five years in a matter of just a few months at the start of the year. The PropTech market was no exception.

In many ways, the pandemic accelerated what was already happening in the world of work – where flexible and remote work options were already rising in popularity.

Advertisements
Nexudus - Tech Stack Lovers

But we also saw coworking operators embracing a huge range of technologies – in a very short time period – to reach out to members and make sure our flexible spaces could and would reopen. Here are the top tech takeaways from 2020.

1. Virtual meetings ruled the world…

Do you feel like you’re living your life in Zoom? I certainly do. And one of our most popular articles was on virtual meeting etiquette rules. (Quick tip: don’t forget your camera’s on.)

With remote working options continuing to thrive, we’re all going to have to embrace video calls on a more regular basis. This article provides some great tips on creating the best ‘Zoom Room’ for your coworking space.

2. … and now augmented workplaces will rise

As we start to return to our coworking spaces, augmented workplaces are set to rise in popularity. Here, portals and apps are expected to control the employee experience and meet government guidelines within an office space.

Advertisements
Yardi Kube automates flex and coworking operations

Emerging technologies will include smart spaces and booking facilities, Building Information Modelling (BIM), enhanced HVAC, air filtration and maintenance alert systems and advanced occupancy planning. Putting all these technologies together, we could soon be working in touchless offices.

3. Cyber security got (even more) serious

Cyber attacks escalated in size and complexity during the pandemic. In the UK, research from the World Economic Forum revealed online attacks are the third highest risk for businesses in the COVID landscape, after bankruptcy and long-term unemployment.

This threw many digital transformation plans into disarray for the world’s coworking spaces. But a host of advice was available to help spaces mitigate the risks posed by remote and hybrid working. Here are three of the core security requirements every flexible workspace now needs and some specific advice on protecting your coworking members from cyber crime.

4. Robots came in from the cold

Automation and robotics often have a bad reputation within the world’s workforce. A recent report from the World Economic Forum certainly didn’t help matters – it predicted the world is on the brink of ‘double disruption’ where automation, in tandem with the COVID-19 recession, will turn the labour market on its head.

More stories for you

MIT Study Warns Increased AI Use Could Weaken Brain Power Of Tomorrow's Workforce

MIT Study Warns Increased AI Use Could Weaken Brain Power Of Tomorrow’s Workforce

2 days ago
SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son Pitches $1 Trillion U.S. AI And Robotics Hub In Arizona

SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son Pitches $1 Trillion U.S. AI And Robotics Hub In Arizona

2 days ago
Why UC Irvine Is Treating AI Like A New Hire

Why UC Irvine Is Treating AI Like A New Hire

3 days ago
Microsoft Warns AI Can’t Cure “The Infinite Workday” Without Systemic Workplace Change

Microsoft Warns AI Can’t Cure “The Infinite Workday” Without Systemic Workplace Change

4 days ago

But robots and automation proved their worth during the pandemic, where the IoT, robot cleaners and advanced AI have helped spaces optimise their cleaning processes. Such technologies can help reduce the spread of viruses, bacteria and allergens – and also reassure members that your workspace is a safe environment.

But not all technologies are a worthy investment. Thermal cameras, for example, are a waste of money for your workspace because they are not a silver bullet to detect Covid-19 and minimise transmission rates. Plus, technical and privacy concerns must be addressed with their use. Which leads me nicely onto my next point.

5. Surveillance matters for physical distancing

One of the major trends for 2020 was the rise of the smart occupancy sensor. Desk-placed sensors are rising in popularity, allowing operators to monitor occupancy rates and optimise their cleaning rotas. This not only boosts the performance of flexible workspaces but also provides members with further reassurance on workplace cleanliness.

However, as Covid-19 increased adoption of workspace monitoring technologies, data privacy concerns also escalated. This is a concern that must be addressed sooner rather than later. In a recent statement, the World Health Organization acknowledges the key role data has played in helping to limit the spread of the virus and understand its nature.

Advertisements
Disaster Avoidance Experts

However, the WHO also states:

“Such data collection and processing, including for digital contact tracing and general health surveillance, may include the collection of vast amounts of personal and non-personal sensitive data. This could have significant effects beyond the initial crisis response phase, including, if such measures are applied for purposes not directly or specifically related to the COVID-19 response, potentially leading to the infringement of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

“This concern is especially pressing if some emergency measures introduced to address the pandemic, such as digital contact tracing, are turned into standard practice.”

The last 12 months have certainly turned the world of technology on its head for coworking spaces. I have no idea what the next year will hold. However, as the pandemic fades away, we could be on the brink of a digital disaster, if we don’t address these mounting data privacy concerns here and now.

Advertisements
Disaster Avoidance Experts
Advertisements
Subscribe to the Future of Work Newsletter
Tags: PropTechTechnology
Share5Tweet3Share1
Gemma Church

Gemma Church

Gemma is "the freelance writer who gets tech" and Allwork.Space's Associate Editor for Technology and Innovation. A UK-based specialist journalist, blogger and copywriter in the science and technology sectors, Gemma's USP is that she's worked in the science and tech fields she specialises in, so has a unique level of experience that most other writers cannot offer. These insights form the basis of her articles where she investigates the latest technical innovations and their impact on the coworking world.

Other Stories Recommended For You

MIT Study Warns Increased AI Use Could Weaken Brain Power Of Tomorrow's Workforce
News

MIT Study Warns Increased AI Use Could Weaken Brain Power Of Tomorrow’s Workforce

byAllwork.Space News Team
2 days ago

As AI tools like ChatGPT become fixtures in classrooms and offices alike, a new MIT study suggests the cognitive cost...

Read more
SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son Pitches $1 Trillion U.S. AI And Robotics Hub In Arizona

SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son Pitches $1 Trillion U.S. AI And Robotics Hub In Arizona

2 days ago
Why UC Irvine Is Treating AI Like A New Hire

Why UC Irvine Is Treating AI Like A New Hire

3 days ago
Microsoft Warns AI Can’t Cure “The Infinite Workday” Without Systemic Workplace Change

Microsoft Warns AI Can’t Cure “The Infinite Workday” Without Systemic Workplace Change

4 days ago
Advertisements
Workspaces Run Better On UltraSoftBIS
Advertisements
Disaster Avoidance Experts

Unlock your competitive edge in tomorrow's workplace.

Join a community of forward-thinking professionals who get exclusive access to the latest news, trends, and innovations that are shaping the future of work.

©2024 Allwork.Space News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Exploring the Future Of Work® since 2003.

Advertise   Newsletters   Privacy Policy   Terms Of Use   About Us   Contact   Submit a Press Release   Brand Pulse   Podcast   Events   

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Topics
    • Business
    • Leadership
    • Work-life
    • Workforce
    • Career Growth
    • Design
    • Tech
    • Coworking
    • Marketing
    • CRE
  • Podcast
  • Events
  • About Us
  • Solutions
    • Advertise | Media Kit
    • Publish a Press Release
    • Brand Pulse
Subscribe

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00