Logitech has released a new suite of Sync smart office tools aimed at improving the workplace experience for employees and strengthen analytics for business IT teams.
Auto Book and Auto Release features automatically reserve and cancel room bookings based on workplace behaviour, and Logitech View interactive digital office maps provides intuitive navigation through large office complexes.
A Steelcase Workplace Survey found that 40 per cent of employees waste up to 30 minutes per day searching for meeting spaces, a problem caused by people occupying meeting rooms without booking them, remaining in rooms beyond the time of their reservation, or failing to show up to booked rooms.
“With hybrid work so pervasive, the office can feel like the Wild West,” said Henry Levak, VP of product, Logitech for Business. “Logitech’s smart office tools are the not-so-secret weapon to bring predictability and detailed insights into these dynamic work environments.”
Auto Book and Auto Release can help solve these challenges: when employees start using a meeting room, Auto Book reserves it. Conversely, if a room is reserved but no one shows up, Auto Release frees the space for others to use. After multiple no-show meetings, the entire recurring series can also be automatically cancelled, with the changes reflected in the calendar and on Tap Scheduler.
“Rally Bars use AI in-camera sensors to automatically detect and respond to natural workplace behaviours with no human intervention needed,” Levak added. “Employees can focus less on manual actions and more on collaboration, and IT admins get a realistic picture of which rooms are actually used, not just which rooms are booked.”
Users can unlock these features in rooms with Rally Bar or Rally Bar Mini, whether using Appspace, Envoy, Microsoft, RICOH Spaces, Robin, Zoom or another booking platform.
“Auto Book and Auto Release are prime examples of how Logitech shares our commitment to consumer-friendly, intuitive experiences that seamlessly integrate into daily life,” said Paul Alley, VP of global partnerships at Appspace. “Together, we’re removing obstacles that stand in the way of employee productivity, while also harnessing valuable data to address today’s business challenges.”
Availability status updates are also shown in near real-time in Logitech View, a digital office mapping solution that help to keep hybrid workers and visitors oriented with easier wayfinding in large office complexes through quick, colour-coded visibility of meeting rooms, workstations, amenities and exits. Maps can also be displayed on large monitors or TV screens using Logitech RoomMate. Using the touchscreen, people can book rooms directly on the map or search for their colleagues’ desks.
It can also help IT teams responsible for ensuring that conference rooms are equipped with the right technology at the right times, and facilities teams responsible for optimising office real estate.
“Underutilised and over utilised rooms are bad news for the bottom line,” said Prakash Arunkundrum, chief operating officer and GM of Logitech for Business. ”Logitech Sync Insights gives you data analytics on space usage, occupancy, and the use of video conferencing equipment during meetings so you can make smarter decisions about tech investments and space planning.”