The term once meant typewriters giving way to word processors. Today it describes workflow automation for the building rather than the paperwork: a room booked in Outlook appears in the booking system, a no-show releases the room, a manager approves a parking request from a Teams message, and the month-end utilisation report is already there.
Automation works only on a rule that is written down. A vague policy automated is a vague policy enforced faster. Start with the workflow that generates the most chasing, usually room no-shows or visitor arrivals, get the floor plan and calendar integration in place, and add the next workflow once the first runs without anyone watching it.
Common questions
What is office automation?+
Office automation is the use of software to run the routine work of a physical office without a person chasing each step. In a hybrid office that means desks and rooms that book and release themselves, visitors who pre-register and trigger a host alert on arrival, parking that is allocated by rule, calendar entries that stay in sync, and attendance and leave that report themselves.
What does office automation mean in a hybrid office?+
The term once meant typewriters giving way to word processors. Today it describes workflow automation for the building rather than the paperwork: a room booked in Outlook appears in the booking system, a no-show releases the room, a manager approves a parking request from a Teams message, and the month-end utilisation report is already there.
Where should office automation start?+
Automation works only on a rule that is written down. A vague policy automated is a vague policy enforced faster. Start with the workflow that generates the most chasing, usually room no-shows or visitor arrivals, get the floor plan and calendar integration in place, and add the next workflow once the first runs without anyone watching it.