Scheduling Chronicles

Business Benefits of Capturing Actual Utilization of Space

PeopleCube is offering a live webinar titled "Capturing Actual Utilization of Space: Uncovering the ‘Holy Grail’ of Real Estate Management" that showcases the value of understanding the true utilization of real estate. Using the right tools for real-estate scheduling, occupancy detection, and utilization analysis helps companies avoid unnecessary real-estate acquisitions and lets them maximize the full value of their real estate.

There are currently two upcoming sessions scheduled: March 16 at 2:00pm EDT and April 20 at 2:00pm EDT.  To register for either session, go here.

Why should you attend?  Real estate is typically an organization’s second largest expense (after personnel), so it makes sense to know how real estate is being utilized. Unfortunately, many organizations mistakenly count a conference room or shared workspace that has been scheduled as one that has actually been used—but this is often not the case. The discrepancy between planned and actual can lead to unnecessary real-estate expansion and related expenses that add up to thousands—or even millions—of dollars. 

Report: Energy Management Systems Market Penetration Stands at 14%

According to a report by Pike Research, only 14% of the market potential for energy management systems (EMS) is currently realized.  That obviously leaves plenty of room for growth.

In fact, the report, titled "Energy Management Systems for Commercial Buildings", goes on to say that the market could grow by $8 billion between 2010 and 2020.  This is supported by Pike Research's claim that the market potential for all buildings in the US in excess of $37 billion in 2010, rising to more than $45 billion by 2020.

Wolters Kluwer Chooses PeopleCube’s Resource Scheduler To Deploy and Manage Alternative Workspace Programs

PeopelCube today announced that market-leading global information services and publishing company Wolters Kluwer has chosen the Resource Scheduler intelligent workspace management solution to help deploy and manage its alternative workspace programs including shared office-space environments.

“Wolters Kluwer clearly recognizes the benefits that can be gleaned from alternative workspace programs, including reducing real-estate, energy, and commuting costs and increasing employee loyalty and productivity by providing flexible and family-friendly workplaces,” said John T. Anderson, PeopleCube’s CEO. “PeopleCube is delighted to provide the technological solutions and consulting services that enable Wolters Kluwer to systematize policies, encourage adherence, monitor resource usage, and in general manage alternative workspaces and programs so that they perform to the company’s advantage.”

Due Diligence and Pilot Program Point to PeopleCube Solutions
Specifically, Wolters Kluwer chose PeopleCube’s Resource Scheduler for Outlook®/Exchange®, a product that seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Outlook to enable users to schedule resources from within Outlook, an environment with which the Wolters Kluwer staff is already familiar.

“We did our due diligence, reviewing market research and talking to other large enterprise customers,” said Dave Barban, director of corporate real estate for Wolters Kluwer. “Not only was PeopleCube the recommended solution, but they ran a ‘try before you buy’ pilot for us. The success of the pilot demonstrated that Resource Scheduler did indeed stand up to our workspace management requirements.”

Wolters Kluwer is using Resource Scheduler in conjunction with Steelcase’s RoomWizard display technology to enable employees to view room scheduling information on line and to book space either on site or remotely, at any time—without having to rely on dedicated staff to manage and monitor scheduling and use.

To ensure quick, easy, and secure on-site check-in for their alternative workspace environment, Wolters Kluwer has implemented PeopleCube’s Kiosk software, which enables employees to check in and out of their office reservations simply by swiping their security badges through a card reader located on or near a kiosk in a lobby.

Enabling Alternative Workspace
The company plans to use Resource Scheduler in a variety of ways. One of the first projects is a deployment in Wolters Kluwer’s Manhattan offices that have recently been built out and renovated expressly to support mobile workers. Ultimately Wolters Kluwer intends to implement alternate workspace programs in all applicable locations throughout its North American operations.

To ensure a smooth implementation and deployment of its alternative workspace projects, Wolters Kluwer purchased technical and business consulting services from PeopleCube, which were provided by PeopleCube both remotely and on site.

The ROI of Software-as-a-Service

A free whitepaper is now available that focuses on the long-term value of SaaS products.  The whitepaper is based on the findings of Forrester Research who, after examining client's decisions about purchasing SaaS solutions, concluded that firms achieve substantial ROI with SaaS solutions.

Whitepaper summary: Firms almost always consider software-as-a-service (SaaS) as a cost-advantage over on-premise in the short run due to its quick implementation times and pay-as-you-go pricing. But many firms question the long-term value of SaaS, wondering if the rent-versus-own model necessarily has a cost crossover point and if so, when? As SaaS continues to move into a broader range of applications and into larger, more strategic deployments, Forrester examined client decisions across a range of SaaS solution areas and found that firms obtain long-term value with SaaS solutions.

To download this free whitepaper, click here.