Virtual office platform Collab launches pilot

Reinventing remote working, Collab launched the Notts Virtual Office on Monday November 16, and the venue will have an initial capacity of 500 desks for businesses to try out the platform during the free pilot scheme in return for providing feedback.

Ellis Mather Group, Future Prospect Group, and Bluebird Care will be some of the first companies to trial the co-working space from this week, and they will be later joined by other businesses over the next two weeks who also hope to experience operating from a virtual office.

Behind Collab is the tech team at Gusto Group, who, since the beginning of lockdown in March this year, have been working with different video conferencing platforms to create a more realistic experience for users.

The team have hosted local, national and global conferences, business clubs, and a glitzy awards dinner alongside community events and even a virtual wake.

In preparing for this week’s launch, the past week has seen Gusto employees trial run their own virtual office.

Gusto Construction Office Manager, Emma James, said:

“The Collab Virtual Office has been a great asset to the Gusto Group during the current pandemic. The virtual office gives you quick & convenient access to colleagues whether they are in the office, working at home or on site.

“Having the Collab page open and seeing everyone sitting at their tables, knowing that they are just a click away, lessens the feeling of working alone. Being able to have a face-to-face conversation is hugely important and keeps you in touch and working together as part of a team, not to mention what it does for your wellbeing.”

The Notts Virtual Office will see Kerri McGarrigle (Chair of the Newark Business Club) operate at the reception desk in her new role as Virtual Office Manager for Nottinghamshire.