Without cookie cutter cubicle rows or coveted corner offices, today’s contemporary workspaces allow employees to collaborate in ways they could have never dreamed of just a decade ago. But, this open work environment also brings its own set of challenges, namely the ability to get online securely and high speed robust wireless networks are now leading the charge.
The open work environment has allowed owners to house more employees in smaller spaces, minimizing the required real estate and capital costs. But, what about all of their wireless devices? If each member of a 500-person staff brings an iPad, a smartphone and a laptop to their office on a daily basis, how can they all get safe and secure online access when needed?
Here are seven ways to enhance workplace mobility:
1. Understand your client’s business. First and foremost, understanding how the company operates on a daily basis, including their corporate culture will determine how the mobility and collaboration spaces are designed from a wireless perspective. For example, a law firm or government agency whose client privacy is a number one priority may require different wire-less availability and security, which may differ from that of a more collaborative market such as a technology company or design firm.
2. Engage IT early. If IT is engaged early in the design process, it will ensure the network platforms are strong, robust and secure enough to support the user’s needs, allowing them to bring in their own wireless devices. Some questions to ask internally include: Does your company have an overall wireless device strategy in place? What is the company policy for employees to bring their own devices into the office? How will the company balance personal and business use of the wireless devices?
3. More wireless infrastructure. An open workspace may require more wireless access points to ensure robust network access and reliability for all. Both functionally and architecturally, the wireless design team will need to understand the architectural elements of the space to ensure strong connectivity for all employees. Is there a ceiling? How is the ceiling constructed? What is above the ceiling? Ductwork and other building infrastructure elements typically found above an office ceiling can interfere with the propagation of signals from wireless access points and hinder the overall effectiveness of the wireless network. Again, engaging the IT team with the consultants and architect early on will ensure proper coordination and that the right quantity of access points are specified in the right locations.
4. Integrate AV when possible. Sending a wireless digital signal to a display in an open work area could make all the difference in successful collaboration. While not every building owner or operator will want to invest in AV infrastructure from day one, specifying the requirements for a base AV wireless infrastructure will allow AV equipment to be added later with little or no infrastructure expense or major disruption.
5. Understand the layout of collaboration spaces. Make sure that the collaboration spaces and wireless access points you’re designing fit well with the intended office floor plan. Which groups within the company will be situated near the collaboration spaces? Will private areas be located nearby? Where will the IT department be located? Will any departments require additional local wireless access points? Where needed, sound masking can be employed to help subdue the noise from a collaboration space for those working in private offices
6. Even wireless is wired. Wireless infrastructure still requires wires. Access Points (APs) that propagate the wireless signals are connected to and powered by the local area network via regular infrastructure cabling. Also, it is still good and common practice to implement a compliment of a wired infrastructure to cater to devices that are not WiFi enabled and to address some user’s reliability and security concerns that still accompany a wireless network. While this will undoubtedly change, as wireless speeds and security have made tremendous strides over the last few years, most owners still want the comfort of a base wired infrastructure.
7. Coordinate telecom rooms and pathways. Whether the office is open, closed, collaborative or non-collaborative, telecom rooms still require proper size and placement. Working together, the IT consultant and architect will need to determine the architectural layout, distance limitations, density of wireless and wired infrastructure in order to meet the requirements of the telecom rooms and their pathways. Ensuring that the pathways for wiring are well coordinated, especially with today’s common open ceiling office look, is critical. How are the wires from the end devices, including to the wireless access points, getting to the telecom room? Keeping the office aesthetically pleasing while still maintaining the integrity of the wires will take some creative engineering and proper coordination with all trades.
Conclusion
As wireless/mobile technologies continues to advance and the open workspace evolves over time, a company that develops formal IT policies, coordinates between the disciplines early on in the design process and considers their corporate layout and future IT requirements will be the company that meets the wireless needs of both its employees and clients down the road.
About the Author
John Passanante, PE, RCDD, is a Senior Vice President with Syska Hennessy Group, New York
Related Stories
| Jun 30, 2014
Harvard releases the State of the Nation’s Housing 2014
Although the housing industry saw notable increases in construction, home prices, and sales in 2013, household growth has yet to fully recover from the effects of the recession, according to a new Harvard University report.
| Jun 30, 2014
OMA's The Interlace honored as one of the world's most 'community-friendly' high-rises
The 1,040-unit apartment complex in Singapore has won the inaugural Urban Habitat award from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, which highlights projects that demonstrate a positive contribution to the surrounding environment.
| Jun 30, 2014
Work starts on Jean Nouvel-designed European Patent Office in the Netherlands [slideshow]
With around 80,000 sm and a budget of €205 million self-financed by the EPO, the complex will be one of the biggest office construction sites ever in the Netherlands.
| Jun 30, 2014
Growth of crowdfunding, public-private partnerships among top trends in architecture marketplace
A new report by the American Institute of Architects highlights several emerging trends in the architecture marketplace, including the growth of the P3 project delivery model and designing for health.
| Jun 30, 2014
Report recommends making infrastructure upgrades a cabinet-level priority
The ASCE estimates that $3.6 trillion must be invested by 2020 to make critically needed upgrades and expansions of national infrastructure—and avoid trillions of dollars in lost business sales, exports, disposable income, and GDP.
| Jun 30, 2014
Gen X, not Baby Boomers, spending the most money on homes [infographic]
It turns out that Generation X, who have the highest incomes of the three generations surveyed, are paying the highest home payments and tend to have the largest households.
| Jun 30, 2014
Zaha Hadid's Iraq Parliament complex design marred with controversy
Zaha Hadid's design for the Iraq Parliament was selected, despite placing third in the original RIBA-organized competition.
Sponsored | | Jun 27, 2014
SAFTI FIRST Now Offers GPX Framing with Sunshade Connectors
For the Doolittle Maintenance Facility, SAFTI FIRST provided 60 minute, fire resistive wall openings in the exterior using SuperLite II-XL 60 insulated with low-e glazing in GPX Framing with a clear anodized finish.
| Jun 26, 2014
Glazing offers peace-of-mind for hurricane season
SPONSORED CONTENT As hurricane season kicks into high gear, it reinforces the importance of balancing the aesthetic and daylight enhancements of glazing with the safety requirements to protect people and structures from hurricane-force winds.
| Jun 26, 2014
Plans for Britain’s newest landmark brings in international cooperation
Designers of the London Eye will team up with companies from France, the Netherlands and the United States to construct i360 Brighton, the U.K.'s newest observation tower.