September 1, 2008 – 4:03 pm
When talking about AltSpace and coworking a statement along the line of ‘oh, like a serviced office then?’ The answer that I currently use is ‘kinda’ and then try to explain how coworking is different from a serviced office.
In general a serviced office has a private office with space for 1-3 people. You then have the option to get Internet access, telephones, fax service and other ‘business services’. The meeting rooms and board room often come at an extra cost. Most things are based on ‘usage’ which you get to decide to use or not.
To give an idea a colleague said he just rented a serviced office shortly before AltSpace opened just one block away. It has desks for 2, or 3 at a pinch for $2,600 per month. They then quoted ‘high speed Internet access’ at a further $1,000 a month and use of meeting rooms at $60 per hour. He has the private area for him and one other but anything else he does the billing starts. He also lacks the interaction with others as they are each walled off from each other. This is fine for a private conversation or phone call but 95% or more the walls are not required.
At AltSpace we have desks and chairs which are probably better than most serviced offices. We have two meeting rooms, library/lounge area, complete kitchen with tea, coffee, etc. also have WiFi and 24/7 access. All for the same monthly cost. The cost for 2 based on the above setup would be $1,000 or less. Only 25% of the equivalent serviced office costs. As well as that you can interact with those around you and make private calls in one of the meeting rooms if required.
The one thing, other than cost, that a serviced office has that AltSpace does not is the ability to store documents to any degree. If you are a lawyer or HR consultant and have lots of dead trees around you then serviced office could be better option for you.
This is a quick guide to the difference. Another key thing is coworking is very much aimed at the individual and not the company. While AltSpace does have a 2 person company working out of the office it is very much aimed at the individual and the interaction of everyone in the office. A serviced office provider seems more aimed at the client company and not about the community of those in the offices.
September 1, 2008 – 9:59 am
We’re hosting the next Wellington PHP usersgroup meet up, right here at AltSpace on Thursday the 4th of September.
If you’re interested in PHP (even just a little), you should come along. You can RSVP at meetup.com.
August 20, 2008 – 11:48 am
In the span of 3 weeks we have the following skills (some people have more than one skill):
- Contract Negotiation
- Web Design and IA consulting
- PHP and Perl programming
- PR and Marketing
- Project Management
- Online advertising
- Domain Name expertise
Several possible projects are already taking shape just from a broad range of skills and experience being in the same office.
August 20, 2008 – 11:36 am
Summary of coworking article from Workforce Management website:
Co-working spaces have been around for a long time, but traditionally have been the domain of entrepreneurs and freelancers. However, owners of co-working spaces are seeing more corporate teleworkers coming in, and in some instances, they employers are footing the bill.
August 20, 2008 – 11:30 am
I realised this week that AltSpace will need more desks sooner rather than later. The initial setup had 8 workstations and 4 tables for break out areas or for over fill. At this stage we are coming close to using all 8 desks.
Now in the process of ordering another 6 desks and still need to get more whiteboards. In fact as many whiteboards as I can lay my hands on.
August 18, 2008 – 3:53 pm
Just noticed that Tim took over the SilverStripe space in the building they are in on Courtney Place. I gather this is Version 1.0 compared to his wider plan of taking the ground floor in NZX building on Cable Street.
He has high level details and photos from July 28th post that I missed due to the heady days of AltSpace launch.
I do rather like the lamp in this picture and I think AltSpace needs to get some plants.
August 18, 2008 – 1:36 pm
Pete is just working out the final touches of the meeting room online booking system. It is all working fine but he wants to get the interface looking just a little bit better….
At this stage the HotDesk booking is based on wandering down and grabbing a seat. As they fill up we will get more desks. In the medium term will put a system in place for online booking once things settle in.
August 18, 2008 – 1:23 pm
Thanks to our good friends at Google we have created a Googlegroup called AltSpace Announce which you can join. Will be low volume about AltSpace and items related to Coworking in New Zealand.
