SAP Labs in India has recently launched the first hybrid workspace in the country– a few weeks after the announcement of SAP’s first hybrid office in Southeast Asia located in Singapore– to enhance employee experiences in the post-pandemic era.
Since the pandemic disrupted the world almost two years ago, SAP has been one of the global companies in the foreground of workplace transformation supporting the survival and success of organisations while ensuring the wellness, health, and safety of the workforce through intelligent technologies and services. Internally, the enterprise software giant has also seamlessly adapted to the new world of work since it has been supportive of a location-agnostic work model for decades now.
Under the COVID-19 environment, SAP solidified its advocacy on remote working by implementing Pledge to Flex in June, a 100{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} flexible and trust-based global framework where people can work from home, at the office, or remotely to support employees’ productivity and creativity as well as meet business requirements during these dynamic times. Most recently and in addition to the company’s initiatives on hybrid working, the SAP Southeast Asia office in Singapore has been completely redesigned to adapt to today’s new workspace and workforce requirements.
SAP Labs in India Redesigning Workspace
Echoing SAP SEA’s new hybrid workplace design, SAP Labs India, the largest Research and Development center outside SAP’s Germany head office, has also transformed its iconic building BLR01 on the Bangalore campus. In an article written by Sindhu Gangadharan MD, SAP Labs India & SVP, SAP User Enablement, she shared how SAP’s new and the first hybrid office in India covered several key design considerations for a sustainable hybrid workplace that would further enhance the employee experience.
“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,” she said.
Open Office Layout
Taking into account the results of SAP’s internal findings that a resounding majority (88{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22}) of its employees spend less than 50{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} of the day at their desks, SAP Labs India’s BLR01 hybrid office now has conferences that are not entirely walled. The office has also covered the remote work collaboration needs with high-tech communication tools.
Collaborative Spaces
The office design is comprised of three primary courtyards that incorporate social spaces and pocket meeting areas that offer flexibility according to employees’ engagement needs.
Health and Wellness Areas
The pandemic has amplified the need for work-life balance as well as health and overall wellness. SAP’s new office design incorporated open fitness areas located around the office to encourage employees to do a quick workout or stretch after long hours of working.
Sustainability Driven
In relation to SAP’s ambitious global goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2023, SAP Labs India currently runs 95{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} of its campus operations, including BLR01, on renewable energy, specifically from green energy sources. The hybrid workspace utilises an onsite solar power grid along with Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting systems and 70{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} of the company’s fleet is powered by EV. The newly redesigned campus has placed EV charging stations to encourage employees to embed sustainability in their daily activities.
Expressing appreciation for the new hybrid office, Sudhansu Mohanty, DevOps Tech Lead at SAP Labs India, wrote on LinkedIn:
“An office building like none other. SAP Labs India renovates their oldest building in Bangalore to welcome colleagues to work in a new hybrid model. The office space is almost like a 5-Star resort!!! Amazing SAP!”
