Accenture Chicago
Accenture reflects the reality of a hybrid workforce with the help of Vecos
Accenture Chicago had already started the renovation work, when the COVID pandemic brought the new reality of a hybrid workforce. To enable hybrid working, Accenture found in Vecos a trusted partner to provide a world class smart locker system for Accenture Tower, an iconic 40-story, 1.46-million square-foot tower located in in the heart of Chicago.
A frictionless employee experience
Accenture wanted to make sure that as their people return to the workplace, they were safe and secure in a non-invasive way. Offices are evolving from more traditional enclosed office space to more collaborative and purposeful spaces, which provides Accenture’s employees with the right environment to collaborate.
Managing unpredictable flows of occupancy
While accurately understanding occupancy is arguably one of the most immediate post-covid challenges for landlords, it’s easily solved by the use of smart building technology to gain insights. “Technology is woven into the fabric of the space design as we shape the new workplace experience,” says Jason Warnke, senior managing director – Global IT, Digital Experiences Lead. “We leverage our existing technology and tools and are continually innovating and enhancing our solutions to meet evolving business needs and improve the office experience.”
Accenture chose to partner with Vecos, who had already proven themselves by successfully integrating their employee identification technology in other Accenture offices throughout the US and Europe.
A method and a mindset
Accenture’s Workplace team – comprising of all relevant and related workplace disciplines such as Facilities, IT, Real Estate, Workplace Innovation, Digital Workspace Strategy, Construction Management, Business Operations, and Hospitality and Employee Experience – joined forces with the Vecos Workplace Team.
“As a first step, we needed to fully understand how the building is used before we remove pain points and improve employee experience,” says Tina Smith, Director Business Development US. “About 6,800 employees consider Chicago their home office. However, Accenture’s consultants are assigned to clients and do not always work at Accenture’s own offices. But they are free to show up whenever they want: to make use of a flex desk, meeting room, or other open seating arrangements. In contrast, staff functions such as IT, Research, HR, and Administration are tied to the Chicago office but have also embraced the flexibility afforded by a home office.”
With the advice of Vecos, Accenture decided to install 194 lockers, supporting 400 desks divided over 6 floors. To help Accenture manage square footage with these unpredictable flows of occupancy, the Vecos Smart Locker System unlocks the data needed to make informed decisions. The Vecos dashboard gives the status of Accenture’s use of lockers and real estate. These metrics are key to gaining a technology-based, comprehensive assessment of utilization, enabling office management to make real estate decisions that maximize return on investment.
The Vecos Smart Locker System unlocks data needed to make informed decisions
With the advice of Vecos, Accenture decided to install 194 lockers, supporting 400 desks divided over 6 floors. To help Accenture manage square footage with these unpredictable flows of occupancy, the Vecos Smart Locker System unlocks the data needed to make informed decisions. The Vecos dashboard gives the status of Accenture’s use of lockers and real estate. These metrics are key to gaining a technology-based, comprehensive assessment of utilization, enabling office management to make real estate decisions that maximize return on investment.
Enhanced employee experience through technology
With Accenture’s hybrid working comes the need of employees to store their personal belongings in a safe space in the office, close to where they work that day – or even part of the day. Vecos deployed a Smart Locker System at Accenture Chicago that enables all 6,800 employees to use a locker by using their preferred method: choosing between ID badge and smartphone app. Lockers are used for both personal storage and team storage, enabling flexibility and collaboration.
“No one ever loved to go to their office because of their desk. But I think people would go to the office because of incredible technology.” Todd Heiser, the co-managing director of architecture firm Gensler’s Chicago office, which designed Accenture’s office space.
The Vecos Smart Locker System enhances people’s experiences of the building and its operational efficiency through the use of technology. We support an office experience where people actually enjoy working in the office: a really important factor in the return to the workplace.
The results
- 194 lockers for 400 workstations, accommodating more than 6,500 employees
- Accenture is Fortune’s No. 1 World’s Most Admired Companies – IT Services
- Fortune and Great Place to Work® named Accenture one of the World’s Best Workplaces™
Ready to get smart?
A smart locker management system gives your people the freedom to work from anywhere, without needing a fixed desk. Get a personal recommendation today from the market leader in smart lockers.