Digital Leaders Emerge as 34% of Businesses Plan Office Comeback

Eptura, the global worktech leader, has released new research revealing that 34% of businesses plan to increase office attendance. As a result, enterprises are turning to AI and cross-platform data analytics to optimize workplace occupancy and create a more balanced employee experience throughout the workweek.

Now in its third year, the 2025 Workplace Index is based on insights from 200 operational leaders and data from 25 million global users. The research highlights a growing challenge: businesses are not lacking technology—they are overwhelmed by too many disconnected systems. In fact, two-thirds of companies use anywhere from 6 to 40 different solutions to manage workplace operations.

Technology Overload is Hindering Workplace Efficiency

Despite significant investments in workplace technology, many organizations struggle to maximize its potential due to system fragmentation. Brandon Holden, CEO of Eptura, explained:

“Despite the abundance of workplace technology, many organizations are struggling to harness its full potential due to disconnected systems. Instead of driving efficiency, fragmented tech stacks create decision-making bottlenecks, making it harder to streamline workflows, analyze data effectively, and adapt to evolving business needs.”

Key Challenges Identified

  • Disconnected tech is hindering data-driven decisions: Many organizations struggle with multiple dashboards and siloed systems. 37% of companies employ 11 or more full-time staff to analyze workplace data, while 50% rely on an average of 17 different standalone technologies.
  • AI adoption remains limited: Over half of businesses report that insufficient skills and lack of cross-platform integration are the biggest barriers to AI deployment. Current AI use is mostly restricted to chatbots, dashboards, and basic diagnostics.
  • Office attendance is rising, pressuring real estate management: Workplace visitor volume has nearly doubled in the last three years, and 34% of businesses are increasing in-office days, forcing leaders to optimize space utilization.
  • ROI concerns slow tech integration: Budget constraints remain a top challenge, with more than two-thirds of businesses struggling to secure funds due to a lack of perceived value in integrated solutions.

Strategic Takeaways for Workplace Optimization

  • Consolidate operational data: Businesses can unlock greater value by leveling occupancy throughout the workweek, optimizing real estate portfolios, and extending asset lifecycles.
  • Leverage AI for better experiences: 77% of companies plan to implement AI in the next year to improve employee experiences, while 68% aim to automate visitor management.
  • Digital workplace leaders are emerging: Three-quarters of businesses have recently hired or are in the process of hiring a digital workplace leader to manage hybrid work environments.
  • Connecting systems drives greater value: Companies moving from fragmented tools to integrated platforms will maximize their technology investments and improve workplace efficiency.

“This year’s findings serve as a critical wake-up call,” said Holden. “By leveraging AI-driven analytics and cross-platform integration, organizations can enhance workplace efficiency, optimize real estate usage, and extend asset lifecycles—ultimately driving better decisions.”