Unique Co-working Spaces Supported by IT Managed Services
As the Covid-19 pandemic has become a thing of the past, the global job market is currently changing drastically in various ways, with many companies taking the opportunity to restructure and digitally transform work arrangements. As a result, co-working spaces are now in great demand. According to a survey, Hong Kong ranked third after London and New York in 2022 in terms of the availability of co-working spaces, with about 320 co-working centres across the territory. For co-working space service providers to stand out amid fierce market competition, the key is to deliver great user experience. In February 2023, theDesk, one such provider in Hong Kong, launched a co-working space at Enterprise Square Five, Megabox. The new space features multi-purpose work areas and workplace in an office setting. Online resources and video conferencing equipment - tools most often used by shared workplace tenants - are well-managed to ensure all tenants have access to high-speed internet and high-quality video conferencing services, thereby boosting their competitiveness.
目錄
- Shortage of IT talent poses challenges to IT management
- IT managed services improves experience of co-working space users
- Words from the Ricoh business consultant
Shortage of IT talent poses challenges to IT management
In light of changes to company manpower structures, the switch to hybrid work as well as the enormous demand for the new work model, theDesk opened in February its 13th co-working space in Hong Kong. Located at Megabox near the Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, the new co-working space enjoys geographical advantages and benefits from a well-developed transport network. It has a floor area of 17,000 square feet, housing more than 100 chairs and mobile desks, about a dozen private offices, meeting rooms, soundproof telephone booths and a wellness room, all designed to meet the needs of different types of tenants.
The businesses of co-working space tenants involve Web 3.0 technologies, such as blockchain, big data, virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI). With that in mind, theDesk deems it all-important to provide stable broadband internet connection. Wi-Fi 6 routers, the latest version of Wi-Fi technology, have been installed so that all tenants can enjoy high-speed internet access anywhere within the shared workplace. Nevertheless, achieving stable internet connection is no easy task, given that IT talent is in short supply.
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Cisco Meraki, a cloud-managed networking platform installed at theDesk, can constantly monitor the network traffic and current connection status of the fixed network and all Wi-Fi 6 wireless servers via a single management interface.
IT managed services improves experience of co-working space users
In establishing the new co-working space, theDesk sought help from Ricoh’s Digital Workplace team. Through multiple meetings and on-site inspections, Ricoh’s team got a good understanding of theDesk’s main services and the needs of their potential customers. Subsequently, the team came up with the following solutions.
| Optimise wireless network resources | There is a limitation to the amount of wireless network resources in co-working spaces. To ensure all tenants and employees have access to high-speed internet, optimise user experience and minimise network delays, the provider should be able to flexibly allocate broadband resources based on their network connection activities. Cisco Meraki, a cloud-managed networking platform that Ricoh recommended to theDesk, can constantly monitor the network traffic and current connection status of the fixed network and all Wi-Fi 6 wireless servers via a single management interface. Besides, an AI system is in place to promptly ramp up the connection speed or increase the network bandwidth during network traffic peak hours. When the user’s co-working space changes, the smart AI system identifies the best wireless access point, thus ensuring stable and speedy connection at all times. |
| Connect & Collaborate | A high-resolution video conferencing system enables tenants to have cross-site interactions with their clients and the co-working space staff, thus speeding things up at work. Ricoh’s video conferencing solution has a PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera that covers a wide field of view and produces superior sound quality. Another feature of the solution is the voice recognition AI technology, which engages conference participants by highlighting who is speaking via the facial autofocus mode. Taking into account the BYOD (bring your own device) trend in the workplace, the solution also enables users to attend conferences by using their own digital devices and to share contents, such as documents, images and videos, in either a wireless or wired setup. All in all, conferences can be held easily and without a hitch. |
| 24x7 Managed IT Services | In a typical co-working space, there are tenants from different sectors, and some businesses have to operate around the clock. It is therefore all-important for theDesk to be able to provide uninterrupted IT support to tenants. Ricoh’s Professional & Managed Services offers 24/7 support. In case of any IT issue, Ricoh’s customers can get immediate help remotely. On-site repair and maintenance service is also available to minimise downtime. In addition, Ricoh’s team provides IT system maintenance services, which include scheduling system updates, improving operational efficiency and minimising security breach risks. All these help ease IT staff’s workload, enable businesses to focus on their operations and improves the services available in co-working spaces. |
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Ricoh’s video collaborate solution has a PTZ camera that covers a wide field of view and produces superior sound quality, as well as voice recognition AI technology that engages conference participants by highlighting who is speaking via the facial autofocus mode.
Words from the Ricoh business consultant
To cope with the digital transformation trend and the new work arrangements in the post-pandemic era, many companies are now redesigning their offices. A survey last year found that 89% of employees in Hong Kong preferred to work remotely or the hybrid work model. At a time when IT talents are thin on the ground, employees who turn their offices into smart workplaces in line with the new work arrangements will stand a better chance of attracting talents in general. By virtue of new technologies, such transformation can also boost employees’ efficiency. No doubt company owners should consider making the switch.
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