On Tuesday, May 9th, The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) held their spring conference at the Minneapolis Depot Renaissance on Washington Avenue. The day featured 5 general sessions and 15 breakout sessions, and participation from more than 180 companies and organizations. Kim Baumgartner (Director of business Development at Parallel Technologies) was a panel discussion member for the topic “Tech Enabled Workplace”, alongside Dan Peterson (Commercial Real Estate Consultant at Colliers International), Jeffrey Schoeneck (Market Group Leader at Cuningham Group), and Deepinder Singh (Co-Founder of 75F).

The new workplace paradigm is one of openness and density driven by flexibility and collaboration. The bottom line of this discussion is the tech enabled workplace has become table stakes for companies to compete in the 21st Century. So, how do companies adapt, maintain, or reinvent themselves to implement intelligent buildings, innovative amenities and worker centric support into their organizations? First steps can be a more holistic approach to technology. Infrastructure, Device & Application Access, Mobility, and Security all are key components from an IT strategy perspective. However, when integrated with a company’s workplace strategy, co-created with other company stakeholders, we can enhance internal communication, promote wise investments and avoid duplicative efforts.

The IT leader’s opportunity is to work proactively with other leaders of HR, Finance, CRE and Facilities to insure the IT infrastructure is properly designed into the workplace experience. Integrated IT solutions in concert with customized data feedback will help recruit and retain employees, drive business ROI and realize economic efficiencies. IT’s strategic drivers of business are not just providing the technology stack and infrastructure support. When possible, expanding the role to integrating a tech enabled workplace design can further the strategic importance of all technology investments.

Few companies possess Parallel’s unique skills to link both IT and Facilities departments to an organization’s comprehensive business strategy.  We are grateful for the invitation to present at the MHTA conference with our fellow panelists, and we are eager to address our clients’ unique needs around these initiatives moving into the future.

About MHTA

MHTA is a non-profit association of more than 300 technology companies and organizations. Together, we fuel Minnesota’s prosperity through innovation and technology. Our members include some of the world’s leading corporations, mid-sized companies and startups. We are united behind a common vision to make Minnesota one of the country’s top five technology states. Minnesota High Tech Association members represent IT, bio-sciences, advanced manufacturing, clean, green and edtech. Once a company or organization joins MHTA, all of its employees become members.