BOMA 2021: How technology is driving change in commercial workplaces and workforces

The past year has been one of great change among commercial owners and occupiers, and with an increased adoption of technology, this year’s BOMA International Conference and Expo couldn’t have arrived at a more relevant time.

During the conference, the MRI Software team took an informal assessment of the general themes and concerns among attendees. In these discussions, we found that an abandonment of manual processes in exchange for comprehensive digital services is set to continue into the future of the workplace.

The return to the office will be televised – and live

More than a year after work from home policies took the world by storm due to COVID-19, businesses across the globe are returning to their offices with workforces whose expectations around “office life” have changed in varying ways.

BOMA International COO, Henry Chamberlain, addressed these market trends in a keynote presentation. “Studies show that around 30-40% of people are hoping to go back to the office full-time, perhaps working from home one day a week, while about a third will work from home two to three days a week and the remaining 10% will work remotely just about full-time.”

Whether it’s due to employee expectations, workforce growth or renewed space requirements, the traditional office setup is no longer viable for many businesses, and organizations implementing hybrid work practices will benefit from space and presence management technology. These innovations will help businesses drive better workplace engagement, experiences and optimization.

Sustainability is here to stay

One thing that was hard to miss at this year’s event was the large “Green Pavilion” in the exhibitor hall, which featured consultants, tech solutions and other organizations committed to driving down energy usage, increasing air quality, and improving health. While sustainability has historically been treated as a marketing point, with organizations boasting an immeasurable label about their “environmentally friendly practices,” green building maintenance and operations practices have become an important feature of modern buildings.

Sustainability is more important now that it ever has been, with many commercial investors including “green clauses” in leases to add value to their buildings. Sustainable buildings aren’t just good for the environment or meeting regulations. The various operational improvements to modern buildings drive down maintenance costs and can increase productivity from employees. Going green is here to stay.

Innovation is driving value to businesses

The past year may have been defined by uncertainty, but the rapid rise in the adoption of technology didn’t come out of the blue. The industry was already moving towards digital services before the pandemic accelerated the trends, resulting in a full digital transformation. Now that we’ve been through a year of remote work and online services, the industry isn’t just adapting – it’s thriving.

The value of moving away from paper-based and manual tasks towards technology solutions is clearer than ever. Big data might still be overwhelming for some, but technology and cloud-based solutions can enable commercial business to use that data to improve efficiency and productivity. Understanding and using data with comprehensive and flexible systems that work together can drive better business decisions and equip organizations to overcome unforeseen obstacles.

Commercial real estate owners and operators are facing challenges old and new in this fast-paced market. As attendees of the 2021 BOMA International Conference made clear, technology that lets you adapt to those challenges is the key to future success. Learn how your organization can utilize MRI Software’s set of comprehensive digital tools to prepare for the future of the workplace and stay ahead of the curve.

On-Demand Webinar

Tech-tonic Shifts in Multifamily Leasing

Driving renewals at your multifamily property starts with providing a great resident experience from the first point of contact. But with tighter budgets, ever-expanding to-do lists, and rapidly changing expectations of how technology should be u…

Watch the Webinar

Related Resources

Webinar
office investors

20 Different Ways Companies are Transforming their Offices

Find out more

Select your region

45000+

Clients

20.1m

Units

4.2m

Leases

300+

Partners

170+

Countries