FOCUS FRONT OF HOUSE
PUTTING ON
A FRONT
34 JULY 2021
Front of house has long been seen as reflecting
the brand and ethos of an organisation, but
now more than ever, is crucial in protecting
building occupants. As organisations welcome
sta… and visitors back into buildings, ensuring
safe and secure reception services mean that,
as with other areas of FM during the pandemic,
technology solutions are gaining credence.
Research carried out by Swiss Post Solutions
(SPS) found that half (50 per cent) of UK
companies are planning to introduce digital
technologies to help them maintain ‘front of
house’ (FoH) services in the future. Does that
mean that the traditional security guard and
reception sta… model is now redundant?
“No, I don’t think it is. In fact, I think it’s quite
the opposite,” says Lauren Cooper of SmartSec
Solutions. “While there is a demand for technology
solutions such as virtual receptionists and an
automated front of house check-in service, I
personally can’t see any of our clients demanding
that our receptionists work virtually, especially
when the majority of our front of house and
reception sta have continued to be physically
Faced with so much disruption to traditional working patterns, what
provisions can front of house specialists make to support new ways
of welcoming people into the workplace? FMJ reports