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Our customers are increasingly embracing privacy pods, particularly given the variety of solutions now available in the marketplace. That said, one size does not fit all, there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration when reviewing the multitude of solutions available in the market.

Our latest article highlights the key reasons why companies are embracing privacy pods and also the important reason why they need to carry out due diligence prior to purchasing.

Variety of solutions available

There are pods for every type of work. There is a diverse collection of pods available within our Commercial Interiors portfolio of furniture. Two examples are Smart pods by Framery, who offer technology-enabled privacy pods, and Hide pods by Aqustec who make simple pods that provide speech level reduction qualities. There are Single pods or phonebooths as they are commonly referred to, dual / two-person pods, four and six person, and wheelchair accessible meeting pods and more. The list goes on, however we can help you navigate the multitude of options available based on your specific criteria.

Increased productivity

Privacy pods can be used effectively to eliminate distractions and increase productivity in the workplace. Modern offices need spaces that echo the comfort and functionality of home offices and indeed spaces that employees actually want to return to. Privacy pods provide a space to complete focused work. Having a space that employees can concentrate on focused work or a complex task, minimising distractions is key to modern work. Privacy pods combine privacy with acoustics and ventilation.

Privacy

Privacy pods are specifically designed to reduce sound from entering or leaving the pod. They are not “sound-proof” for a reason – fire safety. Pods provide speech reduction qualities and are very effective in providing effective acoustic performance for privacy and focus. Given that so many offices are now open plan, it is essential to have spaces that employees can have confidential conversations. Privacy pods also facilitate meetings where confidential or sensitive information is being discussed, highly relevant to companies that discuss client information, privacy pods facilitate and offer a space that such sensitive data discussions remain private, ensuring compliance with legal standards. They provide spaces for phone calls and virtual meetings without disturbing other colleagues in the area.

Cost-effective solution

Privacy pods are a more cost-effective alternative to dedicated meeting rooms. Given that pods are also a mobile solution, they can be moved to alternative locations in future, if required. Acoustic pods are made within our manufacturers factories; all that is needed when we get to a client’s offices is assemble the units, there is no construction work involved or ongoing maintenance costs for privacy pods. Privacy pods can be moved to suit a company’s changing needs, providing a self-contained solution for creating quiet, private environments in open plan offices. They remove the need to construct new rooms, thus offering a cost-effective and flexible way to control acoustics in the office.

Due diligence – we are here to help

Our team of furniture specialists will carry out all the due diligence required to ensure we propose a solution that will work for your office, taking into account numerous variables such as ceiling height, optimal location within an office, building accessibility for installation, functional requirements within a pod, aesthetic finishes to tie in with branding – the list goes on!

As part of this, we will also ensure we tailor our collection to meet your specific working requirements as the internal features of acoustic pods greatly impact the price. Features such as technology requirements, internal furniture requirements, power charge outlet solutions, mobility (castors) kits, smart functionality such as occupancy analytics and booking systems vary across the variety of solutions available.

We are here to help, get in touch with our team of Interiors specialists to arrange a survey today, our enquiry form is available via our Contact Us page, linked here.

Last month, we explored Flowscape’s suite of workplace management tools which enhance any workspace and optimise office functionality in our blog, which you can read here.

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This month, we are focusing on the desk booking solution, from both a user and administration perspective.

Flowscape’s feature-rich and user-friendly platform streamlines desk booking, with a modular design, customisable features, and robust reporting capabilities. These elements combine to meet your current and future needs with minimal disruption.

The solution can be deployed in the cloud or on-premises. It seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Exchange, and G-Suite. It also offers compatibility with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices.

The highly scalable solution is adaptable to your specific requirements with various hardware options available to enhance user experience.

You have the flexibility to configure non-bookable desks, bookable desks, and permanently assigned desks.

Flowscape seamlessly supports both individual desk configurations and shared collaboration areas and spaces, you can even book car spaces, lockers and any other resources using the Flowscape application.

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With Flowscape’s desk management solution, users can easily:

• Reserve desks upon arrival or in advance.
• Book desks on behalf of team members to enable effective collaboration.
• Create zones and neighbourhoods to optimise space.
• Implement advanced booking rules tailored to your preferences.
• Block off areas / floors / zones depending on occupancy to increase energy efficiency.
• Customise desk types to meet diverse user requirements.
• Search for available desks based on equipment, accessibility and availability.
• Check live seat availability in busy office environments.
• Utilise the Colleague Finder tool to locate team members.
• Generate comprehensive workplace utilisation reports.

Create a smart working environment for your employees:

Custom booking rules / permissions
Efficiently manage desk reservations with Flowscape’s configurable booking rules. Limit desk bookings within specific zones, floors, or departments. Tailor rules to control the number of bookings allowed within designated timeframes or areas within the workplace.

Fixed desk environments
Reserve desks permanently for specific employees, indicated in red on the Flowmap. This option is ideal for employees with specialised equipment or desk setups.

Ad-hoc / hot-desking seating environments
Monitor and release desks if unoccupied. Use USB or presence sensors for automatic desk check-in, reflecting real-time desk availability. Drop-Down desks presence sensors detect desk usage and display it as red on the map.

Booking on behalf of others
Flowscape enables users to reserve desks on behalf of colleagues, ideal for team collaboration sessions, guests, or administrative staff assisting senior management. Configure booking rules to suit your needs via the Flowscape admin portal.

Busy lights
Show desk occupancy status from a distance, helping you manage un-bookable desks effectively.

Fault reporting
Instantly create support requests using the fault reporting feature. The report is routed to your chosen destination, with a visual alert on the map. Users can report any issues (e.g. broken monitor) and attached a photo using the mobile app, which is send directly to facilities / administration to resolve.

Desk management for the smart workplace:

Flowscape’s Desk Management Solution is your ideal companion, whether you need desks on-demand or prefer to plan the week ahead. Designed for both hybrid and traditional offices, it seamlessly caters to employees who embrace office life, work remotely, or travel frequently.

For more information on how Flowscape’s desk management tool can benefit your organisation, please contact our Workplace Technology team by filling in our contact form here.

Introduction

Over the last number of years, the traditional workplace has undergone a profound transformation, driven by technological advancements, and changing employee expectations. The emergence of remote work and the rise of hybrid work models have challenged conventional notions of office space utilisation, leading to a growing need for innovative solutions that can adapt to the evolving needs of modern businesses.

The evolution of the workplace

The workplace landscape has evolved significantly over time, from traditional office setups characterised by fixed workstations and rigid schedules to more flexible arrangements that prioritise mobility and collaboration. The advent of remote work has further accelerated this shift, prompting organizations to rethink their approach to office space management. Hybrid work models, which combine remote and in-office work, have become increasingly prevalent, creating new challenges and opportunities for businesses seeking to optimise their office spaces.

Challenges in office space management

Despite the benefits of remote work and flexible arrangements, many organisations struggle to effectively manage their office spaces in the hybrid work era. Traditional methods of office space management, such as manual booking systems and static floor plans, are ill-equipped to handle the dynamic nature of modern workplaces.
As a result, companies often face inefficiencies, underutilised spaces, and wasted resources.
The need for data-driven insights and analytics has never been greater as organisations seek to maximise the value of their office spaces and adapt to changing work patterns.
The problem many organisations face in Ireland, is the need to redesign or resize their workplace to fit their needs, often without knowing what their needs are.

CBRE, the global commercial real estate specialists recently produced their latest “2023-2024 CBRE Global Workplace & Occupancy Insights” report based off global workplace averages, with some key points highlighted below:

• Office space utilisation rates remain under 40% occupancy in EMEA.
• 43% of organisations plan to decrease their office space by more than 30%.
• 36% of workstations go unused in a typical workday in a hybrid office environment.
• 29% of workstations are used less than 3hrs per day.

What these three stats indicate is that changes to workplaces are necessary, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution, with some companies requiring more space for collaboration, and some requiring less space entirely.

Introducing FlowSense

FlowSense is our brand new workplace analytics service, in partnership with Flowscape.

FlowSense leverages advanced sensor technology to offer detailed insights into the usage of the workplace. By tracking booked resources, instances of no-shows, the duration of resource utilisation, and the number of people in each space, the service provides unparalleled insight into office space usage.
Its aim is to provide actionable recommendations on how to best optimise workspace configurations to support evolving work patterns, enhance efficiency and reduce costs, unique to a clients specific requirement.

Benefits of FlowSense

The FlowSense service solution delivers fact-based framework for reimagining workplace layouts to meet current and future requirements.
The data enables organisations to optimise resource allocation, improve productivity and employee experience, and reduce costs. By embracing data-driven strategies, organisations can significantly enhance workspace efficiency, cater to the diverse needs of their workforce, and position themselves for future growth.

By understanding how your office is being utilised, you can make smarter investments for your future workplace requirements, reduce costs, energy and your carbon footprint, while vastly improving employee experience.

How it works?

Bizquip install occupancy sensors on all existing resources in the office environment, including workstations, meeting rooms, break out spaces and collaboration areas to monitor real-time occupancy and resource utilisation in the workplace over a fixed timeframe (recommended timeframe of 3 – 6 months).

The sensors collect tangible data of resource utilisation over this period of time, measuring actual occupancy of meeting spaces and desks to determine existing and future workplace requirements.

Multiple types of sensors used to collect data including no. of occupants in meeting rooms, and overall occupancy of a resource.

This analysis specifically focuses on weekdays’ office hours, offering an accurate depiction of space usage during peak operational periods.

The duration of data collection can be tailored to suit individual customer requirements. Typically, a 3-6 measuring period is recommended to yield comprehensive insights into actual office usage.

These insights enable informed decision-making regarding necessary changes and adaptations to company policies.

Workplace utilisation report and recommendations:

Upon conclusion of the occupancy measuring period, Bizquip will provide a report which details our findings based on the data collated.
The report we provide shows the no. of workstations required based on multiple scenarios, including both hot-desking and fixed desking options to ensure both current and future requirements are met.
Meeting room analysis is also shown, highlighting actual usage and occupancy of the existing meeting spaces. The report shows both the level of occupancy and no. of occupants per meeting room over this period.
As part of this report, our team also provide recommendations and solutions for optimum workplace efficiency based on the data shown.

What the workplace utilisation report includes:

• Desk occupancy statistics, showing daily / weekly occupancy, zone, floor, building.
• Meeting occupancy statistics across all meeting spaces.
• No. of users occupying each meeting space at any given time.
• Data analysis of existing resource usage.
• Recommendations for existing and future desking requirements.
• Options based on multiple scenarios e.g. 2hr. “hot-desking”, and fixed desking.
• Meeting room requirements
• Options based on occupancy data & no. of users utilising existing meeting spaces.
• 3D renders & layouts showing proposed options for redesign.
• Furniture & technology options & recommendations (if required).
• Scope of works to complete project.

Whether you are reviewing your existing workplace requirements, or planning an office move, this report will provide you with data-based information and assist with making informed decisions on the future of your workplace.

If you would like to discuss the possibility of using our new workplace analytics service, FlowSense, please reach out to our team using our contact form here.

Privacy continues to be one of the biggest obstacles our clients face in terms of ensuring productivity and comfort for employees when working in the office, particularly given that open plan offices are the norm.

This month we delve into the variety of ways in which you can achieve visual privacy in an office environment.

Privacy doesn’t have to solely result in dedicated meeting rooms and privacy pods. Creating spaces where employees can concentrate and focus on important tasks without interruption is critical to an effective work environment. We discuss such solutions in detail in our recent article that showcases the latest Smart Pods by Framery, linked here. However, there is also a need to go a step further and create visual privacy for wellbeing and productivity.

Visual privacy can give a feeling of comfort and balances open areas and collaborative spaces with the necessary levels of privacy needed to ensure productivity in the office. We outline some practical examples below to assist you in identifying simple ways to overcome this privacy challenge in the workspace.

Privacy screens:

Examples of visual privacy can be as simple as divider screens on workstations. This helps to define a workspace or dedicated desk, gives a pop of colour and also assists in improving the acoustic performance of the office.

Floor standing divider screens can create nooks and focus spaces that give a feeling of privacy and seclusion, important for private calls or a specific space for focussed work.

Ceiling hung sliding screens are a superb product to control visibility. Acoustically rated, they can be mounted to a sliding track to enable users reduce or increase visual privacy, controlling their preferred level of visual privacy as necessary.

Floor standing mobile boards are a practical way of creating privacy within a space, whilst also providing sound absorbent textile to the back and glass board to the front for versatility.

 

Zoning with Grid / Modular Storage:

A number of the commercial furniture manufacturers we represent here in Ireland have a wide variety of solutions to overcome this privacy challenge. We regularly create zones on office layouts and designs to space plan offices with specific tasks in mind, i.e. collaborative spaces, creative spaces, focus / concentration spaces, break out / informal spaces etc. Open storage divider units are hugely popular in creating such zones, they divide areas and block sightlines but also create a welcoming and homely feel. The open shelves enable the display of plants, accessories, books and achievements.

Plants & Greenery:

Biophilia creates a beautiful sense of calm and visual privacy when utilised correctly in office design. Planter units at the end of workstations offer visual privacy for employees focusing on desk-based tasks, giving more comfort to those located along a walkway. Green walls can be used to divide space, again to offer visual privacy and placing plants in the corners of spaces can obscure direct views into specific areas.

High back seating:

Using high-back break out seating in informal spaces can encourage people to use such spaces, as sometimes it is the case that low back sofas are under-utilised. High-back furniture can make people feel more comfortable and facilitate those who may want to sit in peace or have some quiet time. The seating can be tall enough to block the line of sight and often act as a sound absorber if taking a call whilst seated in such high back armchairs / lounge chairs.

Open booths are also a popular furniture solution for creating privacy, a less formal look and feel versus privacy pods. Popular in dining areas and break out spaces, they offer people a privacy nook and quiet space with high back and sides, blocking the visual line of sight. They can also be placed against walls to minimise exposure to people walking by.  Open pods can also provide an agile and adaptable private space that lets you focus on your work.

 

Here at Bizquip Interiors, we can accommodate your evolving requirements to ensure you have a functional workspace that enhances productivity, engages your team and creates a cohesive atmosphere for everyone to thrive in.

Get in touch with our team of workplace specialists to re-evaluate your workspace today, here is a link to our contact form: https://bizquip.ie/contact/ Fill in your details and someone from our team will be in touch.

We visited Clerkenwell last month for the UK’s leading design festival, Clerkenwell Design Week in an effort to review the latest trends in office interior design, commercial interiors and new product design. Our team visited a large number of showrooms despite the rain and the most prominent trends we observed are noted here in this article.

• Focus on sustainability
• Products to address privacy and noise in the workplace
• Muted colour schemes with pops of vibrant colours

 

 

Focus on sustainability:

It was clear to see that sustainable practices and environmental commitments are truly embedded within the commercial furniture industry. We highlighted this in our article last month, noting both Humanscale and Actiu as two of our key manufacturer partners who demonstrate long-term commitments toward sustainability and the environment. Our chosen manufacturers who we represent in Ireland as a reseller, are focused on using recycled materials and also ensuring that the furniture they manufacture can be fully recycled, where possible.

We saw a number of products on display in the CDW showrooms that further demonstrate this sustainable commitment. The Path Chair by Humanscale and the collection of acoustic panels and hanging screens from Friends of Wilson are two key examples of products that have sustainability as the core focus for the complete lifecycle of these products.  The sequence hanging screens displayed in the Friends of Wilson showroom are made from 100% wool felt, a completely natural 100% biodegradable fibre, easy to repurpose and recycle. The Path Chair by Humanscale has a mesh-like textile made from upcycled plastic bottles.

 

Products to address privacy and noise in the workplace:

Privacy & Noise continue to be a focal point of obstacles to overcome in the workplace. Privacy pods dominated the vast majority of showrooms along with acoustic solutions as a prominent feature. Again, a large volume of the products and new collections on display have been created with sustainability in mind, with many new collections integrating 100% recycled post-consumer material into their manufacturing process. The new Framery Smart Pod collection that we have on display locally here in Sandyford, Dublin 18 was another key feature and ties in with the focus on sustainability, addressing privacy needs, technology integration and can be recycled at their end of life cycle. They are also GREENGUARD certified. For more information on Framery Smart Pods, please review our article where we highlight the key features and specifications of the Framery Smart Pods. Abstracta showcased their latest sculptural floor screen, Vika, that can double up as a room divider and provide effective sound absorption. It can be made with or without luminaire.

 

Muted colour schemes with pops of vibrant colours:

Muted colours were still dominant in most showrooms, with pops of colour throughout all the showrooms we visited. Bisley showcased a very colourful showroom including their new colours of Berry and Marine Green in their re-designed space in Clerkenwell. Their new Arches collection includes a variety of mobile screens, tables, stools, benches and acoustic canopies. Camira, who celebrated their 50^th anniversary during CDW launched Patternmaker, a digitally printed colour on a carefully curated woven felt, with a composition of 100% virgin wool to pair colour and pattern for commercial and hospitality settings. Patternmaker combines rich warm neutrals with cool slate blues and is suitable for task seating, soft seating and privacy panels / dividers / screens.

It was encouraging to see a good mix of new product launches across privacy pods, acoustic solutions, break out furniture and ergonomic task seating and we look forward to our next trade exhibition when we visit Orgatec in Cologne this October 2024.

When purchasing video conferencing technology for a meeting room or a break-out area, it’s essential to ensure the chosen system meets your organisation’s needs for effective communication and collaboration.

Budget and ease of use for participants are usually the main determining factors, but there are also additional areas to consider:

1. Room Size and Layout 

a) The size and dimensions of the room determine the optimal placement and type of system required.

b) Consider the room’s acoustics and whether any soundproofing measures are necessary, with the potential of introducing sound-absorbing finishes to ensure there are issues with audio.

2. Number of Participants 

a) Estimate the maximum number of participants in the room to ensure everyone can be seen and heard clearly.

3. Video & audio quality 

a) Look for systems that offer high-definition (HD) video to ensure clear visuals.

b) Check camera field of view and zoom capabilities to accommodate different room sizes and seating arrangements.

c) Opt for systems with high-quality microphones and speakers.

d) Consider features like noise cancellation and the ability to handle multiple audio sources.

4. Camera Features 

a) Investigate if the camera has auto-framing or speaker tracking technologies.

b) Determine if you need a camera that can be manually controlled or adjusted.

c) Ensure the system is compatible with your current hardware and software platforms.

d) Check if it integrates seamlessly with your preferred conferencing software (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google meet).

5. Ease of Use 

a) Look for user-friendly interfaces that all participants can operate without extensive training.

b) A simple plug-and-play system will enable users to easily collaborate without creating issues internally.

c) Consider systems that can be controlled remotely or via mobile devices.

d) Consider what technologies you use for hosting meetings, look at the possibility of a Microsoft teams room system if all your meetings are via teams, for ease of use for users.

6. Connectivity Options 

a) Ensure there are adequate ports for HDMI, USB, and other necessary connections.

b) Check for wireless connectivity options like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, which can offer flexibility and reduce cable clutter.

c) Consider wireless vs wired systems, the benefits and potential drawbacks of each.

d) Review any BYOD system requirements you may have, such as plug-and-play type systems or wireless presentation tools, both for internal staff or clients who may be using the technology.

7. Scalability 

a) Consider whether the system can be scaled up to accommodate future growth or needs.

b) Check if additional microphones, cameras, or speakers can be added if needed.

8. Security 

a) Review the security features of the system to protect your data and privacy.

b) Ensure the system supports encryption and secure connections.

9. Budget 

a) Determine your budget and find a system that offers the best value within your price range.

b) Consider the total cost of ownership, including installation, maintenance, and any necessary training.

 

While there are a lot of factors to consider, our workplace technology specialists can guide you through the process and provide recommendations based on your specific and individual requirements.

We are a vendor agnostic solutions provider, meaning we recommend meeting room technology based on your specific requirements to fit your business needs, not based on who we are aligned to.

Our technical team can assist in the design, plan, supply, install and maintenance services for meeting spaces of any size.

If you would like to analyse your existing meeting room technology, or need some guidance on what will match your specific requirements, please reach out to our Workplace Technology team using our contact form here.

Framery, a specialist and world-class manufacturer of acoustic pods, has just launched an exciting new generation of Smart Pods. The industry-leading pod manufacturer’s new soundproof spaces are private, fully connected workstations that make it easier than ever to find and book a space to work, and automatically adjust to the needs of those inside. Say hello to the next era of the workplace, with innovative technology and quality engineering found across the entire family of Framery smart pods.

Framery’s new smart pods are a huge step forward in office design. These soundproof, private workspaces are packed with technology that make it better than ever to work from the office – from effortlessly locating and reserving pods to maximizing productivity throughout your day.

Like the Framery pods before them, they are a blend of style, functionality, and sustainability – all enhanced by new technology.

Framery’s new line of smart pods improve upon the world-class soundproofing, industry-leading ventilation, and captivating design that have established Framery pods the global benchmark in quality and innovation.

Privacy you can trust: The fine-tuned acoustic structure provides A-Class soundproofing that allows the pod to be placed next to workstations without causing noise distractions to the user or to those outside of the pod. And echo-free interior acoustics make the pod a private, comfortable place for work and video calls.

Airflow that keeps you fresh: The pod recognizes when it’s occupied, senses the temperature and humidity of the surroundings, and triggers adjustments to the airflow accordingly. Enhanced ventilation fully refreshes the air every minute, and ventilation can be easily adjusted through the pod’s touchscreen display.
Lighting that makes you feel good: The automated light sources offer preset lighting modes for video calls or focused work, with adjustments easily made through the touchscreen.

The Smart Pod collection includes:

Framery One Compact™
A quiet, connected, one-person phone booth that provides unmatched privacy for phone and video calls from the office.

Framery One™
A smart and spacious one-person office pod optimized for video calls and focus work.

Framery Four™
A meeting pod for up to 4 people that is perfectly engineered for face-to-face meetings and hybrid work from the office.

Framery Six™
A meeting room for up to 6 engineered for collaborative teamwork and optimized for face-to-face and hybrid brainstorming.

Test and review the new Framery pods in our Sandyford showroom, coming soon, to see how this next generation of smart spaces can transform your entire office – and improve the way work gets done. And with minimal lead times and maximum availability, it’s easy to elevate your workplace with these beautiful new smart pods from Framery.

Our expert team of workplace specialists will carry out complimentary space planning services to ensure the favoured smart pod will fit in your office space. We will also carry out an assessment of your building to ensure access is feasible and our team of in-house Fitters at Bizquip Interiors will complete the installation to ensure minimal disruption to you and your office.

Click here for more insights on the benefits of acoustic pods, and why companies continue to invest in this furniture solution.

Get in touch here to discuss your requirements in more detail.

For 40 years, Bizquip have been one of Irelands largest managed print service providers, supporting small businesses to enterprise organisations nationwide.

Over the last number of years in particular, our team have taken various steps to ensure we are making an ongoing positive impact on the environment, both internally and for our clients.

A huge part of this focus has gone towards our managed print offering. We are proud to work so closely with global market leading manufacturers in the print industry, such as Ricoh, HP and Brother, all of which have really strong environmental and sustainability goals and strategies in place.

According to Quocirca’s latest study on print sustainablity trends , 77% of businesses are accelerating sustainability initiatives, with 62% saying sustainability is important to business performance now, and 85% believing it will be important by 2025.

Our sustainable Managed Print offering ensures that our clients can have a net positive impact on the environment when it comes to their office printing, and here are some examples how:

 

Offsetting paper consumption by planting trees: Bizquip works closely with PrintReleaf to measure our clients paper consumption and provide certified reforesting projects to help achieve a net neutral or net positive impact on the environment. This can be introduced to any existing or new printing solution.

HP CarbonNeutral print hardware certifications: HP have introduced HP CarbonNeutral product certifications which are available for all print hardware that Bizquip supply and support, our team include these certifications for all new print hardware provided at no additional cost to our clients.

Toner recycling: Bizquip provides toner and parts recycling in partnership with our manufacturing partners to contribute towards the circular economy.

Less plastic, more recycled materials: Ricoh’s new range of A3 photocopiers (MFDS) use 54% less plastic packaging than previous ranges, with 50% post-consumer recycled plastics used in the MFD and 100% recycled plastic used in their toner bottles leading to a 17% less carbon footprint across the lifeline of the product.

Eco-friendly hardware : The print manufacturers we partner with lead the way in energy usage comparitively to other manufacturers, meaning reductions in energy consumption, Co2 emissions and running costs.

There are plenty of other ways in which our team at Bizquip are helping our clients on their sustainability journey through our managed print service offering, including print management software like Papercut, which we recently highlighted the benefits of here.

Bizquip are also delighted to have recently joined the HP as a catalyst partner to help create lasting, positive change for the planet, our people, and the communities where we live, work and do business.

Our Workplace Technology team have also recently undergone training to provide carbon calculations for clients on their current print infrastructure, which shows existing carbon emissions, costs involved and recommendations on how to lower both.

If you would like to arrange a free carbon calculation of your existing print fleet and understand how you can decrease your carbon footprint, please get in touch by clicking here.

Collaboration in the work place is a really common conversation amongst us here at Bizquip as workplace specialists. However, we are aware that this might be tricky to visualise if you are not immersed in the world of commercial furniture! We regularly advise our clients on a multitude of queries and questions, and we are helping companies introduce collaborative and break out spaces more often than ever before.

The office landscape has truly shifted and the focus is on encouraging people into the office, through the creation of break out / informal / collaborative spaces. Offices are now a social space to interact and catch up with colleagues. In this article, we have collated a range of images that we feel showcase such collaboration – in a more succinct way through images as opposed to words! This article also ties in with our 2024 furniture trends article, published earlier this year.

As the world evolves, so do our workspaces. Traditional office configurations are undergoing a transformation to meet the changing needs of employees and businesses alike. Enter the era of hybrid offices, where the best of both remote work and in-person collaboration merge seamlessly. In this article, we will explore how hybrid offices are empowering employees in Ireland to unlock their full potential and achieve optimal performance.

Embracing Flexibility: One of the key advantages of hybrid offices is the flexibility they offer. Employees are no longer confined to a rigid 9-to-5 schedule within the physical office space. Instead, they have the freedom to choose when and where they work, allowing for a better work-life balance. This newfound flexibility enhances employee well-being, reduces stress levels, and promotes greater job satisfaction. Irish companies are recognizing the importance of work-life balance, and hybrid offices are an essential step towards achieving it. Flexibility of movement through hot desking within the office is also fast becoming the norm. Desk booking systems such as our chosen partner, Flowscape, allow employees to book a desk for the days they plan on being in the office. It gives employees the flexibility to plan their working week and also link in with their team or colleagues to ensure they can co-ordinate their diaries and sit together to complete shared tasks when they are in the office.

Boosting Productivity: Hybrid offices are designed to optimize productivity by leveraging the strengths of remote work and face-to-face interactions. Research has shown that remote work can improve productivity by minimizing distractions and creating a personalized work environment. That said, this is all relative on the assumption that one has a dedicated and quiet workspace at home. This is where the hybrid office comes into play as there is clear evidence that in-person collaboration in the office fosters creativity, innovation, and stronger team dynamics. By combining the benefits of both approaches, hybrid offices create an environment where employees can perform at their best. Key products to encourage such productivity include privacy booths and acoustic pods, agile furniture such as folding tables on castors, mobile poufs and lightweight seating to enable people adapt their settings to their needs. Collaborative and informal furniture such as break-out sofas and armchairs are also key to creating creative and innovative spaces in the workspace.

Enhanced Collaboration: Effective collaboration lies at the heart of any successful business. Hybrid offices encourage collaboration through a variety of means. While remote work allows individuals to focus on their tasks without constant interruptions, it also provides tools for seamless virtual collaboration. Video conferencing solutions and workplace technology is at the heart of this as it is relied upon to unit teams and connect with clients, each of whom may be working from multiple locations. When physical meetings are necessary, hybrid offices offer dedicated spaces designed to facilitate face-to-face collaboration, further strengthening team cohesion. Smaller meeting spaces created with acoustics in mind will ensure collaboration is seamless in the office. Informal coffee / tea areas with tall tables and stools encourage a relaxed and warm environment.

Prioritizing Wellbeing: Creating a supportive and healthy work environment is crucial for employee satisfaction and retention. Hybrid offices prioritize employee well-being by offering a range of work practices. Ergonomics is one key area that a number of organisations have been embracing for many years, focusing on ergonomic task seating, sit-stand desks and encouraging movement throughout the working day. Other practices such as the introduction of biophilia in the workspace is proven to boost morale and wellbeing. Examples of this include green walls and plants, regularly used as part of collaborative spaces and to create privacy zones in an open-plan office. Comfortable breakout areas, and natural lighting are additional elements that contribute to a positive workspace.

 

Hybrid offices represent a paradigm shift in the way we work, and Irish businesses are at the forefront of embracing this new workplace model. By offering flexibility, boosting productivity, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing well-being, hybrid offices empower employees to perform at their best. The combination of remote work and in-person interactions creates an environment that values work-life balance, enhances creativity, and drives innovation. As we move forward, hybrid offices will continue to shape the future of work in Ireland, leading to happier, more engaged, and highly productive employees.

 

Bizquip have worked closely in partnership with Papercut for 15+ years, a powerful and user-friendly print management solution which allows organisations to easily monitor and manage their print infrastructure.

Papercut Hive is a cloud-native, fully embedded print management software for businesses that need a secure and flexible printing solution to track, control, and enable print, copy, and scan.

PaperCut Hive offers several benefits for organisations considering a cloud-based print management solution. It simplifies the printing process across various devices and operating systems, ensuring compatibility and convenience.

1. Cost Efficiency: Cloud-based solutions can reduce the need for in-house print servers and other hardware, leading to significant savings on capital expenditure, maintenance, and energy costs.
2. Scalability: Cloud services can easily scale to meet the changing needs of an organization, accommodating growth or downsizing without the need for significant infrastructure changes.
3. Remote Accessibility: With the rise of remote and hybrid work environments, cloud-based print management allows users to print from anywhere, enhancing flexibility and productivity.
4. Automatic Updates: Cloud service providers typically handle software updates and security patches, ensuring that the print management system is always up to date with minimal IT intervention.
5. Sustainability: By optimising print operations and reducing paper waste, cloud-based solutions can support an organisation’s sustainability goals, an important consideration in today’s environmentally conscious climate.

Implementing a cloud-based print management solution such as Papercut Hive supports cost and time savings by eliminating the need for specialised server infrastructure, utilising “Edge Mesh” technology to manage print jobs efficiently.

Security features include end-to-end encryption and secure print release options, enhancing data protection for organisations.

Additionally, PaperCut Hive promotes responsible printing behaviours and provides insights for driving change, with options for secure and tracked printing for hybrid workers.

PaperCut Hive is an adaptable and secure choice for modern, cloud-first organisations looking to streamline their print management systems.

Our technical team at Bizquip are working with clients to migrate their print management solution to the cloud, if you would be interesting in discussing the pros and cons of a fully cloud-based solution, please reach out to our Workplace Technology team today by clicking here.

The last thing that an employer wants is their employees arriving into the office with nowhere to work. With hybrid working, tools to manage occupancy are more important now than ever before.

Our Workplace experience applications such as Flowscape allow users to pre-book multiple locations in an office from desks, meeting spaces such as meeting rooms, collaboration and huddle areas, right down to car spaces.

In a nutshell, our Flowscape portal will give you customisable booking, 3D office overview, sensor technology and an analytics portal.

This gives employees the flexibility to plan for the days they will be in the office, guaranteeing them a meeting space or desk to work from, depending on their needs. It provides management with real-time data for strategy and planning and also gives valuable insights into how such spaces are being utilised, in real-time.

Many of our clients recognise the need for such tools in order to manage a hybrid working policy effectively. We have highlighted the key benefits of how measuring occupancy can improve your workplace in a previous article linked here.

We are continuously with our clients to implement these workplace analytics solutions to help them improve office utilization, reduce operating costs and crucially, provide visibility to ensure enhanced productivity and collaboration.

Flowscape’s statistical portal, an integrated module called FlowAnalytics will ensure you can cut out assumptions and guesswork, instead providing you with data-driven insights to identify trends and make evidence-based decisions to improve your workplace.

 

Please get in touch with us here for more information about occupancy analytics or to request a demo.