One of the easiest ways to make a worker resent their job is to have them use difficult tools or software. If they have to spend a long time figuring out how to use a certain feature, that may infringe on their other work tasks, making them feel frustrated or anxious. If they’re using tools that are intuitive, on the other hand, they can easily incorporate the software into their daily tasks. Facility management software is often used by many people from various departments, so the program is easy to use, regardless of the person’s specific work duties or technical experience.
It’s probably safe to say that most workers don’t like being packed in like sardines. Having too many people in the same place can have negative effects, such as distracting them from their work and putting a strain on worker relations. Using their software’s occupancy reports, however, facilities managers can ensure that no floor on the building ever gets too crowded. These reports may even help them assess when the business may need a new facility altogether. Detailed graphic charts can give FMs a sense of when the building may be nearing capacity.
Until a company can move out of its too-small facility, however, the software can also serve an organizational purpose, to help workers deal with their space constraints. If the company is using a hot-desking model, employees may use the software to quickly see what desks are available to them. They can then use the software to book their desk of choice. Having this system in place prevents conflicts that may arise from two people vying for the same space. Plus, users can easily look through the software’s floor plan and learn what spaces they can occupy, instead of having to physically scout out empty desks.
Software that gives detailed information about a person’s location in the office, as well as their email address and even their picture, can help build more bonds in the office. One of OfficeSpace’s clients, for example, praised the Visual Directory feature for this very reason. Because the Visual Directory includes pictures of each staff member, the workers didn’t have to ask interns and volunteers to introduce themselves over and over. Likewise, since the interns could easily look up staff members’ names, they felt more comfortable approaching and interacting with their new co-workers.
FMs will love software that stops them from having to print out yet another Excel sheet and a floorplan that will be irrelevant next month. They’ll be happy because the software makes their jobs easier, whereas eco-conscious employees may love it because it cuts down on the office paper trail. While this may seem like a very small benefit of FM software, it may make a huge difference for your co-workers, considering society’s growing concern for the environment. The eliminated need for paper has benefits that can make several departments happier, from the facilities management to the green-minded workers to the executives responsible for the company budget.
Though it may not seem like it on first glance, facilities management software is an important resource for keeping workers happy and productive. Even though it may seem removed from their daily tasks, it’s crucial to keeping their environment organized and stable. Of course, there’s a difference between an office with policies so tightly controlled that the workers are miserable, and one where there’s enough structure to support their efforts. Without the right elements in place, employees will be too distracted to work. Whether it’s preventing overcrowded offices or conflicts over desk space, the software helps them be productive by preemptively solving potential issues.
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