5 Surprising Findings From the Optix 2024 Coworking Automation Survey

Last spring, the Optix team ran a survey to better understand how coworking and flex space operators are thinking about automation in their space.

And we’ll tell you, some of the results really surprised us.

With close to 100 respondents from around the world, the results offer valuable insights into how much time operators spend with their technology tools each day, what they wish they had more time for in their business, and how much that time is worth to them.

Keep reading for five surprising findings from the Optix 2024 coworking automation survey.

1. 97% of Owners/Founders say automation is Important or Very Important to their business

When asked how much value they place on automation, 97% of Owners/Founders said automating their space is Important or Very Important to their business. This was the largest percentage of any of the roles surveyed.

This widespread agreement highlights the importance of leveraging coworking technology to run a flex space business both now and in the future. Leadership positions understand that automation can help them adapt to changes and stay competitive in the coworking landscape. 

We anticipate this trend to intensify in the coming years.

2. Operators with communities between 100-199 members value automation the most

As it turns out, size does matter when it comes to automation. Operators with communities between 100-199 members value automation the most of any cohort surveyed, with 75% saying automation was Very Important to their business.

Those in smaller spaces (0-49) place less value on automation, perhaps because their operations are small enough to allow for a human touch, while those in larger spaces are more likely to place value on automating their operations.

However, it is the mid-sized flex space operators that recognize automation as the key to scaling their business and expanding to two, three, or even several additional locations.

3. Community Managers spend the least amount of time in technology tools 

Of all of the roles surveyed, Community Managers spend the least amount of time in technology tools each day at 57% of their day. Of course this means Community Managers are still spending more than half their day in technology tools.

This interesting finding is likely due to the fact that the Community Manager roles require a heavy amount of face-to-face interaction, more so than some of the other functions of the business.

While they do carry out many administrative and even marketing related functions, so much of their job relies on providing that human interaction. And as it turns out, they wish they had more time to do just that.

4. 3 out of 4 of Community Managers wish they had more time to connect with members

77% of Community Managers wish they had more time to connect with members in the space. They know how important face to face interaction is, and they want to do more of it. What’s holding them back is the amount of admin work they have to do in a given day.

This is where coworking automation software like Optix is in a key position to thrive. Automation software like Optix is designed to help coworking space operators spend less time with tools and more time with people.

By automating all of those manual, repetitive tasks in a space like member onboarding and offboarding flows, Community Managers can have more time to reinvest in community building activities. Learn more about Automations.

5. The #1 technology tool that operators are using outside of Optix is an Accounting System

Operators are using a number of tools to streamline their operations (four on average including coworking software as it turns out).

According to our survey, nearly 70% of coworking and flex space operators are using an Accounting System in their space. The next most common tool used was a Marketing System, such as Mailchimp or Active Campaign at 61%.

Dive deeper into coworking and flex space operators in our report

The Optix 2024 coworking automation survey sheds light on the evolving landscape of coworking and running a flex space operation. It’s clear that operators recognize the value of automation and its pivotal role in staying competitive and adaptable in the industry. 

Embracing automation is not just a choice but a necessity for the sustainable success of a coworking space business. Optix can help you do just that.

Optix is the first coworking space automation software that helps you put manual repetitive tasks on auto-pilot so you can spend less time with tools and more time with people.

Learn more about Automations or talk to a member of our team today to get started.