Getting back to business in 2021? Get ready to overcome these 3 pain points for post-COVID office projects.
After nearly a year and a half of closures, challenges, and change brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations are getting back to business—and back in the office—in 2021.
A CNBC survey of top executives in human resources, finance, and technology indicates that just under half of companies will use a hybrid work model in the second half of 2021; roughly one-third say their company will be “in person-first.”
For some businesses, returning to the office may be simple and seamless, with no major changes needed for the existing furnishings, fixtures, or equipment.
But many organizations that are planning to reopen in-person are trying to fast-track projects that improve employee wellness, safety, and collaboration. The two top-requested updates from Integrated Building Systems’ clients this year include creating higher-quality video conferencing systems and adding data cabling for new work stations.
COVID is not only impacting the way we work, it is affecting how projects are completed. National issues are hitting home in Central Ohio and creating 3 pain points for post-COVID office projects:
1. Supply chain delays – Steel, lumber, computer chips, even some grocery items: They are all in high demand and indeterminate supply. For office technology, equipment like conference room cameras, control panels, and digital sound processors that used to be available within a matter of days now carry a deliverable date of several months at best.
For example, small-form-factor audio amplifiers from nearly any manufacturer in August 2021 show availability dates of October or November. The market response to this textbook supply-chain tussle has been a significant uptick in material cost for in-stock items, assuming a suitable choice can be located on a warehouse shelf.
Even pre-orders to try to work around the problem have proven ineffective. Case in point: At the beginning of 2021, Integrated Building Systems authorized a vendor to set aside dozens of digital TVs for a large renovation project. But the inventory had been dispersed before delivery could be scheduled, despite a confirmed purchase order.
2. New office norms – Remote, in-person, or hybrid? Workplaces are still defining their “new normal” for daily operations, including decisions about whether their new reality requires the same, less, additional, or repurposed office space as well as updated technology systems.
Last year, solutions like video conferencing and VPNs connected record numbers of remote workers, who adapted to the new work-at-home environment and were very productive. “Zoom fatigue” made many of us long for a return to the office and in-person interactions, yet a CBRE survey shows an almost 20-percentage-point shift increase in the number of people who want to keep flexible work benefits after COVID-19.
Technology will certainly continue to be the bridge between how works gets done and how people share a work culture and values. A recent Forbes article put it this way: “We inhabit two worlds today, the physical and the digital. As companies reopen offices, they must find ways to balance the two.”
3. Staffing challenges – “We’re Hiring!” signs greet diners at most restaurants today, but practically every industry is suffering the pain of having too few people to carry out a robust workload this year.
In Central Ohio, the design-build community is experiencing the pang of striving to meet client expectations in the face of staffing and supply-chain challenges. While the economic growth in 2021 is welcome news overall, it is creating frustration for businesses and their project partners who want to start and finish projects this year but are learning that early 2022 is a more-realistic delivery date.
Early Planning is Essential
It’s never too early to start planning and budgeting for technology, especially given the current constraints on office projects. Integrated Building Systems aims to educate, advocate, and guide clients through critical choices at every stage of a project, whether it involves building or renovating office space, updating technology systems, or moving to a new location. We take the time to identify solutions that will be best for the business long-term, bringing key insights from our extensive technical expertise and nearly 30 years of service throughout Central Ohio and beyond.
Educate: Watch the new TechTalk video series to learn trends, insider news, and frequently asked questions about technology solutions for today’s smart work environment. Read the 5-part AV series on our blog to learn more about AV solutions.
Advocate: Browse our portfolio of projects to see solutions created for a wide variety of industries and to gain inspiration for your space.
Guide: Download the AV Planning Guide to learn a 4-step process for building an accurate, realistic tech budget. Read the FAQs on our blog for tips and insights on AV, cabling, security cameras, and more.
Contact us any time to start the conversation with a phone call to 614-240-5999, Zoom meeting, or site visit.