Colliers International, a global leader in commercial real estate services, has released Flex, Core and the Cloud: A Blueprint for the Future Asia Pacific Workplace.
The report, based on field research and interviews with some of the world’s leading organisations in the technology, financial services and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industries, addresses the adoption of cloud technology in companies’ workforce models and broader implications for productivity and employee wellbeing.
Cloud computing, fuelled by the Internet of Things (IoT), has given rise to a new era of real estate possibilities for Asia Pacific companies and their workforces, the report says. By allowing firms to store and process virtually limitless amounts of data remotely, the cloud is enabling what Colliers International terms the Internet of the Workplace (IoW) – a digitally integrated enterprise architecture that exists in the virtual as well as the physical realm, connecting employees and allowing them to collaborate regardless of location.
According to Rob Wilkinson, Associate Director, Corporate Solutions APAC at Colliers: “Applying the IoW gives enterprises the ability to ‘cloud their workforce’ - adopting decentralised structures that mirror the cloud computing environment, based around multiple remote teams that can be rapidly combined or scaled as needed, rather than a large central office. This can make companies more agile and cost-effective, with positive impacts for employee wellbeing and productivity.”
Like any transformation, clouding the workforce can prove disruptive for enterprises and the commercial real estate industry, forcing landlords and occupiers to adapt to new demands. Through careful planning and the right approaches companies can navigate this disruption while capturing the benefits of the cloud.
“Some companies are investing in equipment such as interactive whiteboards, videoconferencing facilities and chat platforms, and making changes to the physical space such as ‘decoupling’ employees from permanent desks in a move towards activity based working (ABW), utilising flexible workspace in a flex and core model, or developing open-plan offices to foster spontaneity and collaboration across teams,” added Wilkinson.
Colliers also has recommendations for occupiers and landlords:
Occupiers
- Determine which business services or processes would be more cost-effective and efficient to deliver via the cloud, and develop a roadmap for cloud migration
- Consider adopting a bring your own device (BYOD) policy and encouraging employees to work remotely where feasible
- Adopt IoW technologies, and minimise or reduce the number of dedicated workspaces, to make offices more scalable and encourage cross-team collaboration
- Develop an overarching plan for the clouding of the workforce, overseen by a cross-functional team
Landlords
- Develop more flexible lease structures and spaces to accommodate changes in occupier demands
- Ensure buildings and office spaces are designed in a way to respond to rapid changes in occupier headcount
- Consider alliances with flexible workspace operators to enhance the flexibility of their property portfolio
- Evaluate whether the technical infrastructure of properties is sufficient to support IoW models
The report, based on field research and interviews with some of the world’s leading organisations in the technology, financial services and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industries, addresses the adoption of cloud technology in companies’ workforce models and broader implications for productivity and employee wellbeing.
Cloud computing, fuelled by the Internet of Things (IoT), has given rise to a new era of real estate possibilities for Asia Pacific companies and their workforces, the report says. By allowing firms to store and process virtually limitless amounts of data remotely, the cloud is enabling what Colliers International terms the Internet of the Workplace (IoW) – a digitally integrated enterprise architecture that exists in the virtual as well as the physical realm, connecting employees and allowing them to collaborate regardless of location.
According to Rob Wilkinson, Associate Director, Corporate Solutions APAC at Colliers: “Applying the IoW gives enterprises the ability to ‘cloud their workforce’ - adopting decentralised structures that mirror the cloud computing environment, based around multiple remote teams that can be rapidly combined or scaled as needed, rather than a large central office. This can make companies more agile and cost-effective, with positive impacts for employee wellbeing and productivity.”
Like any transformation, clouding the workforce can prove disruptive for enterprises and the commercial real estate industry, forcing landlords and occupiers to adapt to new demands. Through careful planning and the right approaches companies can navigate this disruption while capturing the benefits of the cloud.
“Some companies are investing in equipment such as interactive whiteboards, videoconferencing facilities and chat platforms, and making changes to the physical space such as ‘decoupling’ employees from permanent desks in a move towards activity based working (ABW), utilising flexible workspace in a flex and core model, or developing open-plan offices to foster spontaneity and collaboration across teams,” added Wilkinson.
Colliers also has recommendations for occupiers and landlords:
Occupiers
- Determine which business services or processes would be more cost-effective and efficient to deliver via the cloud, and develop a roadmap for cloud migration
- Consider adopting a bring your own device (BYOD) policy and encouraging employees to work remotely where feasible
- Adopt IoW technologies, and minimise or reduce the number of dedicated workspaces, to make offices more scalable and encourage cross-team collaboration
- Develop an overarching plan for the clouding of the workforce, overseen by a cross-functional team
Landlords
- Develop more flexible lease structures and spaces to accommodate changes in occupier demands
- Ensure buildings and office spaces are designed in a way to respond to rapid changes in occupier headcount
- Consider alliances with flexible workspace operators to enhance the flexibility of their property portfolio
- Evaluate whether the technical infrastructure of properties is sufficient to support IoW models
