Future of Work Glossary

A practice which provides your workforce with a range of settings for a variety of different activities. Individuals can choose their preferred location for the day’s activities, whether that be a desk, meeting room, booth, huddle room, or a collaboration zone.

A small group of individuals put into a team or 'pod', all members have complementary skill sets and a shared goal working on either a campaign or project. Businesses tend now to embrace Activity Based Working.

A way of working in which an organisation empowers its people to work where, when and how they choose - with maximum flexibility and minimum constraints.

Application Program Interfaces (APIs) make it possible for programs to interact with each other. An API can take many forms, but often includes specifications for routines, data structures, object classes, variables, or remote calls, to enable integrations with third-party programs.

A dedicated workstation for individual employees.

Any system which enables audio and visual communication.

Workplace industry term: A function within workspace booking software, which will automatically release a booking back into the system if the user hasn’t checked in a dedicated amount of time.

Beacons transmit small amounts of data via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) up to 50 meters, and as a result are often used for indoor location technology, although beacons can be used outside as well. Frequently used in Smart buildings and offices. We use beacon technology in meeting room screens.

BIM or Building Information Modelling is an intelligent 3-D modelling process used by architects, engineers and construction professionals to provide insight and the tools to plan, design, construct and manage building infrastructure.

Including nature in interior or architectural design, the idea of fusing design with natural elements to bestow wellbeing benefits.

Where resources are automatically allocated based on user requested features or attributes, a user has no input into the resource (room or desk) but makes a request for a space and the system automatically allocates spaces to them based on their requested attributes/needs.

Building Management System otherwise known as a building automation system (BAS), is a computer-based control system installed in buildings that controls and monitors the building's mechanical and electrical equipment such as ventilation, lighting, power systems, fire systems, and security systems.

A booking grid allows users to quickly and efficiently view appointments or meetings in a daily, weekly and monthly display.

A dedicated private space for focused meetings.

Any space open to the workforce, visitors and partners which is separate from the usual working area. This area is designed for employees to relax, eat lunch or have informal meetings and collaborate in an informal manner.

See BMS.

See Check-in and Bump.

Bring your own key (BYOK) refers to a cloud computing security marketing model which supports to assist cloud customers to use their own encryption key to encrypt their data. Giving security for on premises with the ease of cloud technology.

Computer-aided facility management (CAFM) is the support of facility management by information technology. The supply of information about the facilities is the center of attention. The tools of the CAFM are called CAFM software, CAFM applications or CAFM systems.

Ability to schedule catering items and associated workflows for vendors, such as a dashboard and functions to manage the status of requests.

Check-in is the process of a user logging into a space, normally using a RFID card or PIN to identify themselves with the workspace and the booking. When a meeting room or workspace isn't checked into within a pre-set timescale, the space can be 'bumped' or released back into the system for(...)

Co-working is a working environment which provides office facilities for a variety of different people, whether they are remote workers, contractors or a variety of businesses.

Spaces which provide co-workers a place to meet and share ideas. The space can be as informal as a big table in the break room or as formal as a walled conference room.

The global leader in enterprise level workspace solutions. Our scheduling software is designed to equip employees with the right tools to help them best manage their flexible working day. Today, we are trusted by over 2000 of the world’s largest companies to enable their future at work.

Created in a "smart" office environment it is tailored to employee needs - where it's easy and fast to perform standard office tasks such as finding meeting rooms, setting up video conferences, and managing office facilities.

The real property held or used by a business enterprise or organization for its own operational purposes. A corporate real estate portfolio typically includes a corporate headquarters and a number of branch offices.

Microsoft Azure's schema-less, globally distributed database that unlike SQL does not store information in tables with defined columns, but in documents instead.

A space to brainstorm, where teams can work side-by-side with colleagues, clients, and communities to gather and share knowledge.

A data mart is a subject-oriented database that is often a partitioned segment of an enterprise data warehouse. The subset of data held in a data mart typically aligns with a particular business unit like sales, finance, or marketing. Data marts accelerate business processes by allowing access(...)

A Database Management System (DBMS) is system software for creating and managing databases. A DBMS makes it possible for end users to create, read, update and delete data in a database.

A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of a building, garment, or other object before it is built or redeveloped.

A user-friendly touch screen that enables your employees to book the workspace you want as soon as you arrive at the office. The kiosk can be put in lobby areas, bringing efficiency and flexibility into your workplace.

The software helps you book the desk you need, when you need it, on mobile, on the web or through Microsoft Outlook. Choose from a wide variety of personal spaces and book the one you want in seconds.

See hoteling and hot desking / desk sharing.

In a traditional workplace you'd normally find a desk : person ratio of 1:1, where each person has their own desk. Desk-sharing schemes allow you to reduce the number of desks without any decrease in productivity. This can be achieved with a desk booking management system like Condeco.

Digital devices which allows your employees to easily tap and in and out of their desired workstation. Desk screens are used in conjunction with desk booking software and businesses desk sharing policy.

Any form of electronic screen displaying digital images, from information, graphics, video, photographs, or social media, all provided in real time. Workplace digital signage can vary from Meeting Room Touch Screens, Desk booking screens, wayfinding devices and desk booking kiosks.

Is a fairly broad term which includes any business aligning technology, people, and business processes while trying to improve productivity, efficiency and goals, using technology and digital soltuions.

To enable healthier workspaces, employee-usage through increase handwashing, and the use of disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizers are important.

Is the professional which encompasses multiple disciplines, ensuring functionality, comfort, safety and efficiency. This is done by integrating people, place, processes and technology within the built environment.

A job role which is responsible for making sure that buildings and their services meet the needs of the people that work in them. Facilities managers are accountable for services such as cleaning, security and parking, to make sure the surrounding environment is in a suitable condition to(...)

Is a way of working that suits an employee's needs and gives them choice over where, when, and how they work e.g. having flexible start and finish times, days or the week, or working from home.

Also referred to as shared office space or flexispace. This type of workspace is perfect for remote or telecommuters.

Typically, a small space, meant for one to four people, generally informal, and most importantly, private. See also Huddle rooms.

The primary role of front of house is the management of the customer experience, which includes employees and visitors to and from the building.

Dedicated areas within the workplace which might incorporate ping pong tables, pool tables or other communal games, known as a chill-out space in the office, it is a pleasant environment to be in as it boosts productivity and happiness.

G Suite is Google's collection of cloud-based products - Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc. The Microsoft equivalent is the Office 365 platform.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a legal framework which sets guidelines for the collection and processing of personal information of individuals within the European Union (EU).

Optimal hygiene measures and practices that create a healthy working environment for all employees.

A worker who is home-based only. This is different to a remote worker, who has the capacity to work from various locations.

The entire process of the experience for your visitors, from welcoming, catering and the journey.

The practice in an office of allocating desks to workers when they are required, rather than giving each worker their own desk. The aim is to bring flexibility to workspaces – allowing employees to move around the office floor to accommodate different daily activities, to work directly with a(...)

Hoteling (office hoteling) is a form of workspace management in which workers dynamically schedule their use of workspaces. Hoteling is reservation-based unassigned seating; employees would typically reserve a workspace before they come to work in an office.

Typically, a small space, meant for one to four people, generally informal, and most importantly, private. See also Focus room.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is the technology of indoor environmental comfort. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality.

A computing environment which is a mix of on-premise, private cloud and public cloud platforms.

An area that provides both formal and informal workspaces with social areas, hospitality areas and more, dependent upon the needs of employees. You might like to read: Are hybrid spaces the future of work?

Identity and access management (IAM) is a framework of business processes, policies and technologies that facilitates the management of electronic or digital identities. With an IAM framework in place, information technology (IT) managers can control user access to critical information within(...)

Integrated workplace management system (IWMS) is a software platform which enables businesses to optimize the use of their workplace technology and resources. This can include Video Conferencing, Room and Desk booking, heating and lighting etc.

A floorplan of a building visualized within software to allow users to see the availability of meeting rooms and workspaces, and if appropriate, to allow them to book a resource. Some interactive floorplans can also display the location of colleagues.

An Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem consists of web-enabled smart devices that use embedded processors, sensors and communication hardware to collect, send and act on data they acquire from their environments.

An information security management system (ISMS) is a set of policies, processes procedures that describes and demonstrates an organisations approach to Information Security and for systematically managing an organisation's data. One of the key aims of an ISMS is to minimise risk through the(...)

ISO 27001 (ISO/IEC 27001:2013) is the international standard that provides the specification for an information security management system (ISMS). The latest version was published in October 2013. The Standard is designed to help organisations manage their information security processes in(...)

See Desk-booking kiosk.

A secure, lockable compartment to keep one's belongings in.

A booking for a workplace resource where the user can choose the resource they want, but the request must be approved by an approver.

A room, typically within a business environment, which is provided for singular events such as business conferences and meetings.

This includes all the services in a meeting room to make it successful, carparking facilities, catering services, technology set-up and any additional requirements. Managing all these services via one single solution, such as meeting room management software, is key to maintaining a smooth service.

This is any space used for people to get together and collaborate. They can include meeting rooms, booth spaces, collaboration spaces, etc.

Microsoft cloud computing service, which is designed for building, testing, deploying, and managing applications and services.

Refers to a group of employees who are scattered across various physical locations and are connected by computers, smartphones and other devices via the Internet.

A popular term use to define workspaces which are fully collaborative and integrated with technology, to create productivity, efficiency and enhance employee engagement.

The use of multiple physical display devices, such as monitors, televisions, and projectors, in order to increase the area available for computer programs running on a single computer system.

Multi-tenancy is an architecture in which a single instance of a software application serves multiple customers. Each customer is called a tenant.

A space which offers a flexible layout, generally more suited to creative uses.

Specially designed chairs which are used in corporate/workplace environments and universities, which allow people to nap.

The practice of grouping together employees, departments or teams within the workplace. Our customer Oktra have perfected this.

Near-field communication (NFC) allows phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices to easily share data with other NFC-equipped devices. It evolved from radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology.

An individual who has made a reservation, booking, or appointment but does not use the meeting space.

OAuth 2.0 is the industry-standard protocol for authorization. OAuth 2.0 focuses on client developer simplicity while providing specific authorization flows for web applications, desktop applications, mobile phones, and living room devices.

See Workplace Occupancy Sensing.

Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is a standard application programming interface (API) for accessing database management systems (DBMS).

Important in the coronavirus outbreak in lifting restrictions and enabling people to return to work. This refers to keeping a record of desk space used in office spaces, as well as meetings attended. All in an effort to inform employees if they have potentially been exposed to a person who(...)

Professional cleaning services that your office will implement, as well as the disinfecting measures in the office that will reduce the risk of infection and bacteria.

Often abbreviated as ‘on-prem’, is software which is installed locally on servers at the business premises, rather than remotely.

An add-in is a software program that expands the capabilities of bigger programs and has specific but limited features that require only minimal memory resources. Also referred to as plug-ins and extensions.

With the Condeco Outlook Add-in you can allow room searches, services, visitors and video conference bookings to be made from within the Outlook calendar.

Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model in which cloud vendors provide developers with a platform for building apps.

This is an area designated for parking a vehicle.

This is any space used by an individual for example, desk spaces, touchdown spaces, parking spaces, lockers, etc.

The practice of physically distancing oneself from other people; keeping at least 6-feet (or two meters) apart at all times.

Personal Identification Number (PIN) is a set of personal numbers used to prove positive identification.

A place to "hide away" to avoid interruptions. Ideal private zones may have doors and remind you of more traditional office spaces, except that they’re generally intended for one person only.

QR stands for Quick Response and is a type of barcode that stores information and can be read by a digital device.

Spaces that help you to think and get things done. Often, they offer room to stretch out and focus on work while keeping colleagues nearby for a quick brainstorm.

See workspace occupancy sensing.

A repetitive booking to secure a workspace within a working environment.

A person who has the capacity to work in any location. Sometimes referred to as telecommuter or teleworker. This is a different concept to a Home Worker which is someone who only works from their home.

Refers to a job that is performed outside of the office. It is sometimes called telecommuting or teleworking.

The action of reserving meeting spaces, and desk sharing spaces.

The process by which businesses manage their resources and facilities within their workspace. This could be meeting room spaces, desk spaces, catering, carparking and other resources.

Web UI developed in a way that it works across different screen sizes and devices, with the objective to have a website or application that delivers a good experience across different touchpoints.

A term used to refer to the post-COVID-19 lockdown period, where many regions are looking into how they can get their employees back to the workplace safely once the quarantine restrictions are relaxed.

Refering to the post-COVID-19 lockdown, where businesses are planning how to get their employees back to work once quarantine restrictions are relaxed.

In reverse hoteling, an employee is assigned a workstation (normally the same one each day) and when they are on leave or out of office, they are encouraged to release the space for someone else to use as a hoteling space. See also Hoteling.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) refers to a technology whereby digital data encoded in RFID tags or smart labels are captured by a reader via radio waves.

A booking made through a digital platform, mobile app or MS Outlook to secure a workspace. More traditional methods can be paper-based methods such as a paper diary.

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a software licensing and delivery model in which software is licensed on a subscription basis and is centrally hosted.

Allows individuals to book their workstation or work space on the same day, using Condeco booking systems this can be achieved through the Mobile Booking App, the Desk booking Kiosk or through the desk booking software.

A virtual space in which new or untested software or coding can be run securely for participants to test and train.

Arrange or plan an event, meeting, conference, with scheduling software to take place at a particular time and place. See also scheduling software.

A digital platform which allows businesses to schedule and plan appointments. Condeco software allows businesses and professionals to manage appointments and bookings with meeting space and desk booking.

System for Cross-domain Identity Management (SCIM) is an open standard designed to manage user identity information.

A Condeco sensor refers to an IoT device that picks up the presence of people at desks or meeting rooms, and sends the data to the Cloud for further analysis.

Workspace occupancy sensing helps understand how your desks, meeting rooms and break out spaces are being used.

Similar to desk sharing, this concept is more about a large working table or a collaborative space which allows multiple users. More like a café style with a shared seating arrangement.

Any structure that uses automated processes to automatically control the building's operations including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, security and other systems.

Condeco's Microsoft Outlook calendar add-in that enables you to book the meeting spaces you need directly through Microsoft Outlook.

A municipality that uses information and communication technologies to increase operational efficiency, share information with the public and improve both the quality of government services and citizen welfare.

Made up of tiny microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), such as sensors, robots or other devices which can detect the temperature, light and air of a particular environment. Generally operated on a network wirelessly and required to carry out particular tasks.

A smart office is a workplace where technology enables people to work better, faster and, of course, smarter. Beacons, sensors and mobile apps help employees perform menial tasks, so they have enough time to focus on growing businesses and innovating.

If you have booked recurring meetings at a fixed time and your original choice of space isn’t available for every occurrence the Smart Recurrences feature in Smart Calendar automatically books a different space.

The practice of physically distancing oneself from other people; keeping at least 6-feet (or two meters) apart at all times.

A measure of whether and how space is being used, and how often.

Single sign-on (SSO) is a property of identity and access management (IAM) that enables users to securely authenticate with multiple applications and websites by logging in only once, with just one set of credentials (username and password).

Transparent data encryption (TDE) helps protect the Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and Azure Data Warehouse against the threat of malicious offline activity, by encrypting data at rest.

The concept of describing the integration of all communication tools, such as instant messaging, video conferencing, mobile and telephony.

A situation in which users adopt a system or process which is designed to fill a specific need. User adoption is often measured by the number of users who have started using the new process or system.

UserVoice is a product management and customer support tool that allows businesses to build a suggestions portal for their users to submit feature ideas.

Identify how often meeting rooms are used, for how long and by whom.

User experience (UX) is a person's emotions and attitudes about using a particular product, system or service. It includes the practical, experiential, affective, meaningful and valuable aspects of human-computer interaction and product ownership.

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is defined as the hosting of desktop environments on a central server. It is a form of desktop virtualization, as the specific desktop images run within virtual machines (VMs) and are delivered to end clients over a network.

Condeco enables users to book things like catering and AV equipment in on seamless booking process. You can also keep track of correct notice times, cost codes and available stock levels for future bookings.

Telecommunication in the form of a videoconference, such as Skype and zoom, allowing individuals the ability to speak on a video digital platform. You might like to read more about Condeco Skype for Business.

Virtual machines (VMs) allow you to run an operating system in an app window on your desktop that behaves like a full, separate computer. You can use them play around with different operating systems, run software your main operating system can’t, and try out apps in a safe, sandboxed environment.

A navigable visual digital environment where employees can collaborate.

Enables your company to leave the right impression by providing a fluid and seamless visitor experience. When a visitor arrives, the visitor management feature gives reception instant access to their details.

The visitor management feature enables instant printing of visitor passes with all the relevant information, including: badge numbers, pictures and colour coding. Find out more about visitor management.

Workspace-as-a-Service (WaaS) is a form of desktop virtualization that provides access to business applications and data from anywhere at any time.

A large screen displaying easy-to-read meeting room information and directions for visitors and meeting attendees.

Similar to co-working spaces, a Workhub is a flexible workspace that provides an office space to remote, flexible or smaller businesses, when needed.

The place in which you work. This can include your office, café, home, car, shared workplace.

Refers to the process of designing and organizing a workplace to optimize worker performance and safety.

Refers to the different generations within the workplace, Baby boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, Millennials and Generation Z. Businesses are now defining how they can bring together all the generations with collaboration, process and technology.

Workplace heatmaps are a visual representation of how individuals are utilizing work spaces, allowing businesses to review real-time or data compiled over a specified time period. Generally used in conjunction with an occupancy sensing survey.

Helps understand how your desks, meeting rooms and break out spaces are used.

Business strategy that integrates contact center technologies for customer experience to promote operational efficiency. The strategy involves automating processes, data visibility, compliance on legislation and solving business problems related to staff.

Stand-alone units, also known as Pods or Office Pods, come in all shapes and sizes and are designed to create a sense of privacy. Some are even portable.

A solution for the business in the form of technical or digital solutions, design and layout or a physical change to the workplace.

The space in which you work, this can include a desk, bench, workstation, breakout area or any workspace.

A workspace is any type of space that you need for a day at the office. We split these in to personal spaces and meeting spaces.