As remote work takes the centre stage, coworking spaces are becoming ubiquitous. Most employees prefer working from these spaces because they provide a professional setup where you can meet up with your clients instead of that random corner at the coffee shop.

If you have ever worked from home, then you know the distractions can be everywhere. Coworking spaces take away most of the physical distractions, allowing you to focus on the most important work.

More importantly, most workers find these spaces appealing because of the technology applied there that makes working more effective and enjoyable.

Here are some of the technology trends shaping coworking spaces:

1. Seamless and Secure Internet Connectivity

Coworking spaces do experience an influx of users who can’t work without robust internet access. 

Whether you want to send an email to a client, chat with a fellow employee on Slack, or research something online, you need fast internet, and most coworking spaces can meet the demand.

Other than ensuring the internet speed is top-notch, the operators of these spaces secure their networks, as well. 

You wouldn’t be quick to connect to public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, right? Most public Wi-Fi networks aren’t encrypted, which means you can easily become a victim of a cyber attack.

A modern coworking space encrypts the internet network requiring every user to type in a security key to access the network. That allows you to use the secure network without worrying about some hackers on the loose who may break into sensitive company information.

2. Advanced Building Access

Busy coworking spaces provide innovative solutions to guarantee flawless experience for the customers and in-house team. The access control system in the workspace management system has several benefits including:

• Culture – Building access technology introduces particular coworking discipline and culture. Members can’t enter the premises without prior booking and prepayment.
• Security – The access control makes the coworking space safe for all members. The technology limits access for strangers and makes the working room comfortable for users that pay.
• 24/7 access – Members can access their workstations anytime and the manager doesn’t necessarily need to be available always. It’s an innovative way for the owners of these spaces to show how much they trust you, a coworker.

Types of Access Control Systems

There are various types of access systems, which vary according to complexity. Here are the most popular ones:

• Plastic cards – The card has an embedded computer chip of a microprocessor, or memory type. The chip stores and transmits data through a reader – an outward-facing part of the smart card computing system. The card can fit into your wallet and doesn’t require the internet to work.
• Smartphone BLE – This advanced system provides several ways to unlock a door using your smartphone. After downloading and configuring the app, your phone is ready to open the door at your favorite coworking space. The system will unlock the door provided the application is running and the smartphone is near the reader.
• Smartphone cloud-based – Access data is kept in the cloud and you only need to tap a button on your phone to unlock the door. This system requires an internet connection to work.
• Pin code – These are keypads on a door lock. To open a door, you need to enter a combination of correct numbers.

3. CRM

Customer relationship management is among the most crucial elements of the modern thriving workspace. A CRM does not only help in lead tracking, but it also improves the relationship between the coworking space staff and their members.

An effective CRM streamlines lead entry, vendor relationship, customer lifecycle tracking, and tons of other operational tasks. 

Coworking spaces and other technology-driven world requires a CRM. Gartner predicts that by 2021, CRM will be the greatest area for enterprises to spend on in terms of software.

CRM is not only going to be useful in sales and marketing, but it will be beneficial for customer service. The members of a coworking space reach out through email, social media, chat, phone, and other methods; it’s essential to consolidate all these communications in one place.

4. IoT and Automation

Coworking managers outfit their facilities with modern technologies, wireless devices, and various integrations of the coworking space management app. 

The control of all these technologies, devices, interactive dashboards, and synchronized calendars will occur via a single unified interface.

No, these innovations won’t overwhelm you as you work from these spaces; instead, they will make your coworking experience better and easy. Besides, meeting room booking will be a seamless process that entails three steps:

• Opening the coworking space on your smartphone
• Choosing the time and premises
• Completing payment via a card or credits

Smart gadgets and motion sensors will facilitate the remote regulation of lighting as well as climate control, such as based on the movement of people. 

Through automated technologies like humidity sensors, it’ll be possible to regulate office temperatures and maintain consistent air quality inside the coworking surroundings.

How the Need for Coworking Spaces Grew in the Industry 4.0 Era

Industry 4.0, also referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is the ongoing transformation of conventional industrial and manufacturing practices combined with modern-day technology, mostly smart technology.

In the industry 4.0 dispensation, the number of start-ups is growing rapidly leading to a sudden increase in office space. However, traditional office space is too expensive for small businesses, such as startups, which only have one or a few employees. 

In the era of interconnectedness that Industry 4.0 is ushering in, though, there’s less need to have all employees present in the same room.

That’s where coworking spaces come into play, as they are cheaper and full of other workers, so you don’t feel lonely even if you are the only staff in your startup.

Wrapping Up

Coworking space trends are many, but the above are the primary ones as far as technology is concerned. 

At a time when most companies want their employees to work remotely, coworking spaces make sense, as they keep getting equipped with the right technology and other resources that could cost companies heavily to set them up for their remote workers.

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Heather Redding is a part-time assistant manager, solopreneur and writer based in Aurora, Illinois. She is also an avid reader and a tech enthusiast. When Heather is not working or writing, she enjoys her Kindle library and a hot coffee. Reach out to her on Twitter.