Country for PR: United States
Contributor: PR Newswire New York
Monday, August 30 2021 - 13:23
AsiaNet
MRI Software Launches 'Workplace Central' in Australia to Enable Hybrid Return to Work Planning
SYDNEY, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

  -- Hot-desking may be normal in post-lockdown hybrid workplaces

MRI Software ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3273670-1&h=2389705930&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrisoftware.com%2F%3Futm_source%3Dpress%2520release%26utm_medium%3Dwire%26utm_campaign%3Dworkplacecentral&a=MRI+Software 
), a global leader in real estate technology, announces immediate availability 
in Australia of MRI Workplace Central ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3273670-1&h=2980313060&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrisoftware.com%2Fproducts%2Fworkplace-central%2F%3Futm_source%3Dpress%2520release%26utm_medium%3Dwire%26utm_campaign%3Dworkplacecentral&a=MRI+Workplace+Central 
), an "urgent and timely" solution to hybrid work space planning as commercial 
property and facility managers work to optimise their existing sites once 
Australia's major states emerge from lockdown and vaccination rates increase. 

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1603986/David_Bowie__1___1.jpg 

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/489877/MRI_Logo.jpg 

Available now, MRI WorkPlace Central is a cloud-based PropTech solution 
incorporating best-in-class capabilities from two recent MRI acquisitions - 
WhosOnLocation ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3273670-1&h=2554355996&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrisoftware.com%2Fnews%2Fmri-software-acquires-whosonlocation-adding-global-workplace-safety-and-security-offering%2F%3Futm_source%3Dpress%2520release%26utm_medium%3Dwire%26utm_campaign%3Dworkplacecentral&a=WhosOnLocation 
), and Manhattan ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3273670-1&h=1652385251&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrisoftware.com%2Fnews%2Fmri-software-completes-acquisition-manhattan-real-estate-workplace-solutions%2F%3Futm_source%3Dpress%2520release%26utm_medium%3Dwire%26utm_campaign%3Dworkplacecentral&a=Manhattan 
) - into one solution to make hybrid workforce planning easier for facility 
managers, HR, operations and business leaders, and commercial property owners 
(more details below).

A recent worldwide survey by MRI Software with international real estate 
professional association CoreNet Global reveals that close to 90% of businesses 
expect to allow remote working after the pandemic -- a third more than before 
the crisis. Notably, only 20% are keeping assigned workstations -- meaning the 
uptake of hot-desking is expected to boom, a trend Senior Vice President and 
Managing Director (Asia Pacific) for MRI Software, says is consistent with 
local commercial customer conversations.

"Most of our commercial real estate customers ask about desk booking 
capabilities now, which is certainly new since the pandemic. Amid so much 
uncertainty, MRI Workplace Central is an urgent and timely solution during very 
pressing, stressful times: while most of us are in lockdown working from home, 
Facility Managers, COOs and commercial property owners are moving pieces of the 
puzzle around again to offer safe and flexible return to work options to their 
employees once the Government gives the green light to do so," Mr Bowie said.

Key components of the new MRI WorkPlace Central solution available now in 
Australia include: 

    -- Health and safety -- touch-less sign-in, contact tracing, wellness 
       checks, and more are built-in mobile-ready features to WorkPlace 
       Central making it easier to keep on and off-site employees, visitors, 
       and contractors safe and secure, and businesses' compliant. 

    -- Space planning -- sophisticated visual planning tool uses the 
       dimensions of existing desks, furnishings and fittings to re-imagine 
       COVID-compliant shared workspaces that maximise any floorplan. 71% of 
       commercial occupiers in MRI's global research by CoreNet say the shift 
       to remote working has fundamentally altered their long-term approach 
       to space usage. 

    -- Scheduling/room and hot-desk booking -- Employees can book a desk 
       before leaving home to make sure COVID-compliant space is available. 
       MRI data indicates hot-desking will be the new normal: only 20% of 
       CoreNet global research ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3273670-1&h=1805279106&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrisoftware.com%2Fnews%2Fnew-survey-reveals-need-for-commercial-occupiers-and-landlords-to-get-more-in-step-on-the-future-of-the-office%2F%3Futm_source%3Dpress%2520release%26utm_medium%3Dwire%26utm_campaign%3Dworkplacecentral&a=global+research 
) 
       respondents are keeping assigned workstations. MRI Workplace Central 
       has the option of physical 'pucks' to sit on desks, programmed to show 
       booking status at a glance with different colours: such as green for 
       "clean and ready," yellow for "booked," red for "non-compliant 
       proximity," for example. 

    -- Space usage -- over 70% of CoreNet survey respondents say the pandemic 
       fundamentally changed their long-term approach to space usage; MRI 
       Workplace Central produces usage data in real-time allowing for 
       strategic and timely adjustments as space needs change. 

    -- Presence management -- mobile-ready tools provide a full view of who 
       is on-site and who is working remotely to make complying with 
       Australian Government health and safety standards around people per 
       square metreage easier. 

David Bowie, Senior Vice President and Managing Director (Asia Pacific) for MRI 
Software says, "We know employees and employers are still getting on the same 
page about the future of work. Once Australia's vaccination rates hit critical 
mass, we believe the shared office space will re-emerge as the heart of 
workplace culture, collaboration and engagement. Realising those benefits in a 
new COVID-safe world requires using the right technologies to balance hybrid 
work schedules and confidently adapt to changing regulations and health 
requirements over time. 

"We are proud to bring MRI Workplace Central to the Australian market. We 
believe our technology brings meaningful relief to the mental and emotional 
burden, as well as commercial advantage to anyone responsible for planning 
safe, efficient and COVID-compliant return to work policies and procedures for 
commercial office and retail spaces," he said.

MRI in Australia is hosting a free webinar, "Create a safe and flexible work 
environment with MRI Workplace Central" on Tuesday, 31 August at 10am AEST. 
Click here ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3273670-1&h=2122560932&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrisoftware.com%2Fau%2Fevent%2Fwebinar-create-a-safe-and-flexible-work-environment-with-mri-workplace-central%2F&a=here 
) to register.  

About MRI Software
MRI Software is a leading provider of real estate software solutions that 
transform the way communities live, work and play. MRI's comprehensive, 
flexible, open and connected platform empowers owners, operators and occupiers 
in commercial and residential property organizations to innovate in rapidly 
changing markets. MRI has been a trailblazer in the PropTech industry for over 
five decades, serving more than two million users worldwide. Through leading 
solutions and a rich partner ecosystem, MRI gives real estate companies the 
freedom to elevate their business and gain a competitive edge. MRI became one 
of the first real estate software providers to serve Australia and New Zealand 
in 1995 and further strengthened its commitment to the region with the 
acquisitions of Rockend, WhosOnLocation and Palace. For more information, visit 
mrisoftware.com ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3273670-1&h=2332154858&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrisoftware.com%2Fau%2F%3Futm_source%3DPressRelease%26utm_medium%3Dwire%26utm_content%3Djasper&a=mrisoftware.com 
)

Media Contact
To arrange a 1:1 media demo of Workplace Central via Zoom, an interview and/or 
high-res photography or screenshots please contact: 

Heather Jones 
PR Director for MRI Software 
+61 (0) 400 394 669
heather@hjconsulting.com.au 

SOURCE: MRI Software in Australia and New Zealand