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Think for a bit. What sort of work environment do you work best in? Can’t answer immediately? No worries! Well, while you’re thinking of your answer, it will be good for you to know that there is yet another working environment for you to consider: the co-working space. The co-working space has been helping professionals to break free from the office-based environment, usually described by adjectives that call for more vibrancy. For those who prefer not to work in an office, these spaces serve as potential go-to destinations. In short, the co-working space is transforming the lives of professionals by letting themselves be immersed in an environment that is almost impossible to find.

Keeping in mind that co-working spaces are meant to foster collaboration, diverse individuals seek to rent a suitable work area while coexisting with other occupants by sharing the necessary resources. Much like renting a place to stay, don’t you think?

Given the rise in the number of professionals choosing alternative working arrangements, these co-working spaces cater to those seeking a more formal venue, along with aspects that satisfy their needs. At present, there is high demand from emerging organizations, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and those who find excitement in tweaking their working environments. At the same time, these spaces are also sought after by certain multinationals. These spaces, determined by real estate and property value, provide opportunities for building new ties and gaining insight from those who have skills that are beyond your area of expertise. This is because co-working spaces are filled with faces that you don’t see every day unlike in a conventional office setting. Sometimes, all you need is a refreshing perspective to help you boost your productivity.

The growing demand for co-working spaces comes on the back of an escalating number of vacant office towers, particularly in the Klang Valley. This can be attributed to skyrocketing rental rates and the volatile Ringgit. The quality of office buildings must also be accounted for. This is where questions like whether it is a green building or the indoor air quality is at an acceptable reading come to mind. In pursuit of buildings that meet the desired quality, it is logical that many in the workforce will seek other more viable options. Additionally, one of the many factors to consider is the distance from one end to another. If it is nearer than going to one’s traditional workplace, it would make sense to pick somewhere more accessible. It is therefore unsurprising why co-working spaces are gaining momentum, especially in times of economic uncertainty.

As with any other space, co-working spaces can also present a security risk. Besides securing your devices so that a data breach does not occur, it is important to safeguard the physical aspects of the space. After all, who wants their space of collaboration to be invaded or broken into by uninvited guests?

This is why it’s recommended that the co-working space be secured with smart office access locks, and not just any lock. With smart office access locks from Sciener, you can be assured that only authorized users are allowed in and out of the premises. This also means that one need not be anxious about losing access cards. Since there are notifications of door entries sent to a registered account user via his or her smartphone, you need not worry. Take note that these locks work well with glass, wooden and metal doors.

These office access locks are also equipped with employee attendance calendars, making timekeeping more systematic. Say, you’re at another branch of the co-working space you’ve signed up for, you can easily manage access via one single app. Perhaps another feature to highlight is time-based passcodes that can also be extended to several rooms. As a result, the chances of someone duplicating or losing keys are eliminated. For better security, Sciener has designed its proprietary electromagnetic and wooden door lock systems. For seamless access, one just needs a smartphone to download the Sciener app before registering for an account and enjoying the experience of locking and unlocking doors using Bluetooth connectivity.

As we are increasingly device-centric, it is no surprise that there are more options in terms of work arrangements and environments. Given the current economic situation in Malaysia, it is no wonder co-working spaces are beneficial. Nonetheless, it must be acknowledged that no one working environment is without its downsides.