How many seams does it take to make things “seamless”?
Last week I spoke about the importance of digitised visitor management, but without resilient connectivity in a space how would that system, and many others, function?
As you sit at your desk, whether that be in a coworking space, a private office, your own home, or even a coffee shop, pause for a moment and consider the tech backbone quietly working away to keep you productive. From a teams call to updating your CRM, so much of what we do relies on a symphony of systems working in perfect harmony.
But how often do we stop to think about the seams holding it all together?
For tenants, the day-to-day experience revolves around connectivity. But it’s not just about sitting at a single desk anymore; workflows are mobile. I’m writing this from a break-out space in our office having just finished a video call in a phone booth. Earlier, I booked a meeting room while on the move. Whether I’m responding to emails or hopping between calls, I expect seamless connectivity – and it’s easy to take it for granted.
Behind the (hopefully) smooth façade of a flex space is a complex web of equipment and systems, but when cracks appear, they’re impossible to ignore.
The Hidden Layers of Connectivity
Customers don’t ask about the infrastructure powering their workspaces – nor should they have to. But they *will* notice when their experience falters. For operators, the mission is clear: ensure the day to day of your customer is uninterrupted. Here’s where the seams start to show.
1. The Foundation: Circuits
Any network is only as strong as the circuits powering it. If there isn’t enough bandwidth to meet tenant demands, the entire system groans under pressure. In flex spaces housing hundreds of people simultaneously streaming video calls or transferring massive files, the appetite for data consumption is insatiable. Circuits must scale accordingly.
2. The Safety Net: Back ups
What happens when something goes wrong? Without robust backups, outages can plunge entire buildings into chaos. Stories of carriers accidentally severing key lines are all too common. No back up? Big problem.
3. The Unsung Heroes: Switches
Network switches distribute incoming connecting across devices. As circuits grow to handle more data, switches must keep pace. A 10Gb circuit is useless if paired with switches that can only handle 1Gb – it’s like trying to funnel an ocean through a garden hose. Dynamic switch ports also play a key role in optimising traffic distribution an ensuring smooth operations.
4. The Invisible Enablers: Access Points
Do you know how many access points are in your space? Chances are you don’t - but it really matters. These little boxes in the ceiling ensure strong Wi-Fi no matter where you are in the space. Too few access points, or outdates ones, and you can expect bottlenecks leading to patchy connectivity and frustrated customers.
5. Walking and Talking: Call coverage
Ever taken an important call in a quiet corner only to find the call itself going quiet? Signal dropping? That’s a seam showing!
The Mesh Behind “Seamless”
The truth is, there are countless seams all working invisibly to create what we perceive as seamless connectivity, from firewalls protecting tenant data, to interoperable systems ensuring scalability as technology evolves. Equipment ages over time, and operators must prioritise upgrades to avoid cracks forming in their infrastructure.
While tenants may never see these seams or think about them, they’ll certainly notice when one starts to fray. For operators, ensuring a truly seamless experience means understanding and maintaining every single seam because when everything just works, no one stops to question how it happens.
So next time you settle into your favourite desk in your coworking space, take a moment to appreciate the invisible network making it all possible. Seamless? Absolutely – but only because of all those seams working together behind the scenes.
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