Hybrid work has made workplace platforms part of the enterprise IT backbone. These systems integrate with identity, enforce access policies, generate compliance records, and operate across large, distributed environments. When a platform sits this close to core systems, the wrong decision introduces risk and technical debt that is difficult to reverse.
Worktech shortlisting must start with technical validation, not feature comparisons. Identity architecture, provisioning, auditability, and data retention determine whether a platform can deploy quickly, scale securely, and withstand security and compliance scrutiny.
IT leaders who validate these requirements early reduce friction, avoid late-stage blockers, and shortlist with confidence.
Key takeaways
- Identity and compliance readiness dramatically shortens deployment timelines
- Strong audit trails and data retention policies reduce operational and regulatory risk
- Unified worktech platforms simplify governance compared to disconnected point solutions
Why IT readiness matters before evaluating worktech platforms
Hybrid work has transformed workplace technology from a facilities tool into a core enterprise system. These platforms now touch identity, access, compliance, data governance, and security — far beyond the scope of traditional workplace operations.
The biggest risk for IT isn’t selecting the wrong feature set. It’s approving a platform that cannot meet enterprise identity and governance standards at scale.
Teams that assess IT readiness early avoid common blockers such as:
- SSO limitations
- Incomplete or fragmented audit logs
- Unclear or insufficient data retention policies
- Disconnected modules that behave like separate products
This early diligence also helps IT distinguish between truly unified platforms and vendors that rely on loosely connected tools.
Workplace Index insights show that enterprise buyers are increasingly consolidating workplace technology to reduce risk, improve visibility, and simplify administration. That shift puts IT squarely at the center of the buying decision.
How Real Organizations Validate IT Readiness — and Win
Arup: Creating Consistency Across 80 Global Sites
A powerful example comes from Arup, which unified fragmented workplace management across 80 global sites using Eptura solutions. By standardizing on Serraview by Eptura for space management and Eptura Visitor for check‑ins, Arup eliminated inconsistent processes and disconnected data sources.
The results speak directly to the value of unified administration and strong governance:
- More efficient space utilization
- Improved collaboration across regions
- Higher employee satisfaction
- Clearer visibility through unified reporting
Arup’s experience shows how a single platform with consistent identity, auditability, and administration dramatically reduces operational risk — exactly what IT teams aim to validate during shortlisting.
Met Office & a Global Biotech Manufacturer: Data Visibility That Drives ROI
Another example comes from the Met Office and a global biotech manufacturer, both of which leveraged Eptura analytics to improve utilization by 30% and cut double bookings by 90%.
These outcomes weren’t just operational wins — they were governance wins. Unified data visibility enabled:
- Stronger audit trails
- Clearer compliance readiness
- Better real estate decision‑making
- Reduced risk from inconsistent or incomplete data
Their results reinforce a core truth: platforms with unified data and consistent retention policies deliver measurable ROI while strengthening IT‑driven governance.
What enterprise IT should validate before shortlisting vendors
The table below outlines the non-negotiable technical requirements IT teams should validate before demos or proofs of concept. These criteria help separate enterprise-ready platforms from tools that struggle at scale.
| Requirement | Why It Matters | Vendor Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Single Sign-On (SSO) | Ensures secure access, centralized authentication, and user lifecycle control | Which identity providers are supported? Is SSO enforced across all modules? |
| SCIM provisioning | Automates user creation, updates, and deprovisioning | How are role changes handled? Is deprovisioning real-time? |
| Role-based access control | Prevents over-permissioning and reduces internal risk | Can roles be customized by department, location, or function? |
| Audit trails | Supports compliance, investigations, and operational transparency | Are logs immutable? How long are they retained? |
| Data retention policies | Aligns with regulatory and internal governance requirements | Can retention rules vary by data type or region? |
| Unified administration | Reduces complexity and ongoing IT overhead | Is admin configuration centralized or split across products? |
Why unified platforms change the governance equation
Many workplace solutions appear enterprise-ready on the surface but rely on multiple underlying products with separate admin models. This creates hidden complexity for IT teams responsible for identity, access, and compliance.
A unified worktech platform simplifies governance by:
- Applying SSO and SCIM consistently across all capabilities
- Maintaining a single audit trail rather than fragmented logs
- Enforcing retention policies centrally instead of per module
- Reducing integration maintenance and security review overhead
Run this 6-point IT readiness check before vendor demos
Before scheduling demos, IT teams should confirm internal alignment on the following:
- Identity provider standards and enforcement requirements
- SCIM maturity and user lifecycle automation expectations
- Required audit log scope and retention periods
- Data residency and regional compliance obligations
- Role granularity needed across teams and locations
- Preference for unified versus multi-vendor architectures
Having these answers upfront allows IT to evaluate vendors quickly and confidently.
Move forward with confidence
Enterprise worktech platforms should strengthen security and governance, not introduce new risks. A clear IT readiness framework helps teams shortlist vendors that align with identity standards, compliance requirements, and long-term platform strategy.
Book a technical consultation to review your IT readiness and see how Eptura supports enterprise-grade identity, governance, and unified administration.
Frequently asked questions
By Erin Sevitz
As Vice President of Content and Customer Marketing at Eptura, Erin Sevitz oversees teams responsible for providing worktech insights and engaging 25 million Eptura users worldwide. With over 10 years in thought leadership on workplace management and the built environment, Erin brings deep industry knowledge to her role. Previously, she led communications for the International Facility Management Association, a global nonprofit dedicated to professional development for workplace strategists and building managers, and served as editor in chief for IFMA’s FMJ magazine.
