In choosing commercial space, location still reigns as the prime consideration, but increasingly the facility’s connectivity is very high on the list as well. For tenants like tech startups in particular, having a connected workplace is paramount.

Reliable technology systems in the workplace have a major impact on efficiency and performance. It affects our ability to participate in everyday tasks like video conferencing, online collaboration, content production, and much more. Any downtime represents lost revenue.  Certainly any technology can fail, so provisions for that possibility are also a part of the well-connected workplace.

So what is a connected workspace, and how can you assure prospective tenants that your space will measure up?  Those questions have prompted a whole new type of building inspection and certification. Today we’ll take a look at the factors that are considered in evaluating connectivity in a commercial space and some ways to determine whether a given property meets the mark.

A groundbreaking company in this area is WiredScore, which evaluates and certifies commercial buildings based on their level of connectivity. They consider several aspects of the building’s systems for their clients, and provide certifications that assure prospective tenants that the space is tech ready and will support the work they need to do.

Variety of choices

For optimal connectivity, a building should have access to several different providers, so the client can select one that fits their needs and budget best.  Having these options means that the space is suitable to a wider range of companies.

Redundancy

It’s very important that downtime be minimized as much as possible. Backup and alternative connections should be in place that can be accessed from different devices. This may not ever come into use, but it’s a safeguard against lost time and business that most companies want to have.

Resiliency

A resilient system is well organized, with no temporary wiring. This makes it easier to troubleshoot, add components, or relocate equipment, which saves time and makes the workplace more adaptable.

Room for Expansion

Good connectivity takes into account future needs and includes adequate, secure space and infrastructure to accommodate additional equipment.

High-quality connections

Any workplace must have high-speed connections for both fiber and wireless devices. Companies rely heavily on Cloud storage, with more moving that direction every day, so bandwidth has to be adequate to accommodate transfer of large files.  A fast connection is also essential for quality performance in video conferencing, which is very commonly used across industries.

Meeting these connectivity requirements should get a commercial space on the short list for most companies, particularly if there is documentation of the ways that these requirements are met. Companies like Fiberlocator can provide useful information on telecom networks.

The wave of the future seems to be a comprehensive evaluation of the property like that offered at WiredScore. Their report and certification process clearly shows a building’s readiness for tech-heavy activities. This can be a deciding factor for many potential tenants who are looking for reliability and performance in building systems.


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