India’s First Hybrid Office Setup By SAP Labs India
"The future of work is agile and dynamic. Organisations will provide greater flexibility to employees without compromising their business interests in the post-pandemic world. A blended approach to work that allows seamless orchestration between the workforce, combining in-person and remote teams, will be the norm. At SAP, our commitment to building the future of work is by championing a flexible and inclusive work environment that is trust-based," says Sindhu Gangadharan, MD, SAP Labs India & SVP, SAP User Enablement
The demand for a workplace that offers greater flexibility will increase. The COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a transition from on-premise to virtual mode, has given companies and employees a better understanding of productivity and collaboration in remote working. As a result, employees seek greater work flexibility and do not prefer adhering to a specific location or time zone. SAP has adopted a location-agnostic work style for several years, and this has helped it build a truly global workforce that can work from anywhere.
SAP's recent employee survey has shown that over 80% of SAP employees desire a mix of work from home or remote with sometime in the office. Many industry surveys also indicate that specific workgroups such as women and early talent benefit from a flexible work environment. During the pandemic, collaboration across different industries and global teams has unearthed new opportunities and shown new possibilities, redefining and rethinking work.
According to Sindhu, SAP has leveraged its decades of proven remote work practices to create a Pledge to Flex model that is entirely flexible and trust-based. At the center of its flexible work model is SAP SuccessFactors software, which provides end-to-end human experience management (HXM) solutions from the time employees are onboarded and throughout their careers. Additionally, SAP's Qualtrics solution gives it instant visibility into employee sentiments. Finally, SAP offers the best collaborative and communication tools to enable easy and smooth collaboration regardless of where employees are.
SAP's Flex Work model includes:
❖ Flex Location - Employees can work from any location according to their convenience. Less commuting time results in more personal time for employees and reduces the carbon dioxide footprint, supporting SAP's sustainability goals.
❖ Flex Time - allows employees to control their working time and empowers work efficiency.
❖ Flex Workspace - Activity-based office workspaces provide various work settings, improve employee experience and flexibility on SAP premises by offering suitable space for every activity.
Offices that meet the needs for creativity, collaboration, community, and focused work will become more common, says Sindhu. "Employee health and wellness and sustainability should be at the core of the design principle of any office - the criteria should evolve beyond comfort and ergonomics and adopt a more holistic outlook towards employee wellbeing. In addition, companies must transform their traditional workplaces into activity-based workstations that encourage social interactions and enable better collaboration between teams."
An example is SAP Labs India's new building at the Whitefield campus which facilitates creativity, collaboration, community, and focused work. It is a workspace that prioritizes sustainability and health. In addition, the facility has been certified for USGBC LEED GOLD standard for its futuristic and energy-saving designs. The facility is designed and built to focus on employee health and wellness. The elements of air, water, nourishment, light, fitness comfort, and ergonomics, are the criteria of the design principle.
Interior Design
• Large dwellings focused on a shared courtyard that brings all the elements together; similarly, the office is designed around three primary squares that bind the people vertically and horizontally.
• Each courtyard represents the uniqueness of the states to which it is dedicated - Goa, Kerala, and Rajasthan - similarly, the rich cultural diversity of Indian states is represented in the upper floors as themes.
• The office is open and enveloped with biophilia both within and outside. The workspaces intercepted with social spaces and discussion pockets have a pragmatic approach towards the courtyard design, and both co-exist in harmony.
• The linear height-adjustable desks and the rest of the lounge furniture are agile and give plenty of options for employees. Moreover, the vibrancy, timber, and greenery make the space an extension of the outside to the inside. Thus paving the way for the flex/neighborhood model of working.
Use of Technology
The drive towards energy-efficient buildings comes from a desire to contribute to environmental sustainability and for the benefits of energy savings. Today, facilities are expected to be energy-efficient. Not just by using green renewable energy sources and improved insulation. The main features of our new building include:
Air conditioning systems that provide maximum efficiency with minimal energy consumption without water. These systems need minimum space, are low on maintenance, and are more efficient. In addition, better indoor air quality is guaranteed due to the greenery both within and outside the building.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) intelligent lighting systems provide better light quality, lower energy bills, and lengthen fixture life. A PoE lighting platform and its fixtures use Ethernet cables to power lights (luminaires) and transmit data between the luminaire and the control software. An onsite solar plant grid takes care of the power needs.
SAP's facility complies with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD), which mandates conformance to accessibility standards and recognizes that reasonable accommodation and universal design are critical for facilitating access equitably.
"Our vision is to create barrier-free environments that enhance individuals' independence, quality of life, and contribution to society," says Sindhu.
The COVID-19 pandemic represents an inflection point that will significantly re-shape the future of work over the next five years – and likely beyond. At SAP Labs India, we are proud to lead this change and eager to learn more to create an employee-centered experience for an inclusive global workforce.
