Eptura, the global worktech leader, published its first half 2024 Workplace Index report exploring the state of the hybrid workplace and the technology planned to enhance operations over the next year.

The Workplace Index combines proprietary data from Eptura’s worktech platform with more than 16.3 million users with independent research across 200 senior-level professionals at organizations with more than 1,000 employees.

Key findings

Measuring ROI and articulating the value of digitally connected workplaces

• Operational leaders project an average of 3-8% in expected incremental revenue from employees working effectively in the office. As they work to balance right-sizing real estate for current usage patterns while planning for future growth, companies with hybrid work models that successfully facilitate face-to-face connection are realizing the highest return on their workplace investments. Across the board, when employees are given the flexibility to lead the in-office collaboration days and policy, companies project a higher value to in-person collaboration.
• Globally, employees are now in the office three days per week on average. APAC had the biggest increase in people coming to the office at a 52% increase. EMEA saw a 31% rise, and the Americas had a 27% increase in people working from the office. Legal and business services organizations lead the number of in-office days at an average of 3.28 days per week, closely followed by energy and utility organizations at 3.21 days per week, with software and technology organizations at 2.13 days per week. Tuesday through Thursday remain the most popular days for in-office attendance, as the mid-week mountain trend persists across all industries.

Top areas for worktech investment

• The top three technologies businesses plan to invest in over the next 12 months are data analytics, integrated workplace solutions, and collaboration software. Businesses are increasingly evaluating how to consolidate complex tech stacks comprised of disconnected tools and systems that prevent them from taking full advantage of their operational data. Eptura respondents across all business areas prioritized the same three capabilities for their upcoming tech investments, indicating significant opportunity to realize efficiency by procuring connected systems that meet the needs of multiple teams.

Organizations continue to struggle to progress toward workplace digital transformation, unifying data, and achieving business objectives

• The top two barriers to meeting sustainability goals are 1) economic climate and 2) the cost of relevant technology. Buildings have a significant environmental impact, accounting for 39% of global carbon emissions, but many organizations struggle with the perceived cost of sustainability programs and technologies. By focusing efforts on centralizing data on built environment performance and usage, companies can identify and prioritize opportunities to increase energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.
• The biggest obstacles to optimizing physical asset operations are siloed functions and incomplete data, per survey respondents. Real-time visibility into asset health and performance through integrated platforms can help operations managers implement structured preventive maintenance plans to increase asset uptime and avoid higher costs and emissions. Eptura’s data also demonstrates that reactive work orders take roughly double the time to complete versus preventive activities, indicating an opportunity for organizations to reduce labor hours by scheduling more planned maintenance.

“Global leaders recognize the significant value that connected workplaces bring to their operations, impacting employee experiences, building management, and asset handling,” said Brandon Holden, CEO of Eptura. “These elements cannot be effectively managed in isolation, prompting businesses to adopt integrated platforms for a comprehensive view of their data. With workplace attendance stabilizing, our focus is now on enhancing operational efficiencies, optimizing processes, and improving the overall workplace environment for employees.”

Eptura’s research provides clear evidence that digitally connected workplaces will be better positioned to streamline operations, from reducing costs and increasing asset revenue to advancing collaboration and sustainability outcomes.

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