Managing a physical workspace for hybrid employees can be tricky. You want to offer flexibility and keep it simple, but still ensure proper organization and workspace management. Hot desk booking solutions like Skedda are a great way to make coming into the office as simple and straightforward as possible for employees, and take the admin load off your shoulders.
I've spent years evaluating various HR software solutions, and with that knowledge I've put together this detailed review of Skedda for your hot desking needs. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the software's features, pricing structure, available integrations, and more! By the end of this review, you should feel confident making a purchase decision.
Skedda Product Overview
Summary
Skedda is a software designed to simplify the booking and management of workspaces. It primarily serves administrators and managers who allocate space in environments like offices, libraries, and studios. The tool brings efficiency to managing space usage, reducing the complexity and time involved in scheduling and reserving spaces.
Key pain points it addresses include preventing double bookings, easing the process of space allocation, and providing a clear view of space utilization. Its best features include an intuitive user interface, customizable booking rules, and robust integration capabilities.
Pros
- Intuitive Interface: Users find Skedda easy to navigate. This means less time spent on training and more on productive use.
- Customizable Rules: Skedda allows detailed customization of booking rules. This flexibility ensures that space management aligns closely with specific organizational policies and needs.
- Robust Integrations: The software integrates well with other tools. This means enhanced workflow continuity and data synchronization across platforms.
Cons
- Limited Reporting: Skedda’s reporting features are not as comprehensive as some competitors. This can mean less detailed insights for data-driven decision-making.
- No Advanced Analytics: The lack of advanced analytics can be a drawback for organizations that rely heavily on data for optimizing space usage.
- No Free Version: Unlike some competitors, Skedda does not offer a free version. This can be a barrier for small organizations or those wanting to try the software extensively before committing.
Expert Opinion
In judging Skedda against other workspace management software, I find its intuitive interface and strong integration capabilities noteworthy. These features make it an excellent choice for users who prioritize ease of use and require software that meshes well with existing systems. However, when it comes to advanced analytics and comprehensive reporting, Skedda falls short compared to some of its competitors. This can be a significant drawback for organizations that lean heavily on data to optimize their space usage.
In terms of pricing, the absence of a free version might deter smaller organizations or those still exploring options. Skedda shines in environments where simplicity and efficient space management are key, like small to medium-sized businesses or educational institutions. For larger enterprises or those with complex data needs, it might underperform. When selecting workspace management software, it's crucial to weigh these factors against specific organizational needs.
Skedda stands out for its user-friendliness and integration strength but may not suit all, especially where detailed analytics and extensive reporting are essential.
Skedda Deep Dive
Standout Functionality
- Customizable Booking Rules: Skedda offers highly customizable booking rules, allowing users to tailor the software to unique organizational policies and space usage requirements. This level of customization is particularly distinctive, as it provides more control over how spaces are allocated and used, differing from the more rigid structures seen in other software.
- Space Visualization: Skedda's interface includes a detailed visual representation of spaces, offering a clear and comprehensive view of the facility layout. This feature stands out as it helps users intuitively understand space availability and layout, which is not as visually detailed in many other workspace management tools.
- User Access Controls: Skedda provides nuanced user access controls, enabling administrators to set varied permission levels for different users. This feature is particularly unique in its depth, allowing for a more controlled and secure management of space booking and access, which is often less sophisticated in other systems.
Product Specifications
- Online Booking System - Yes
- Calendar Integration - Yes
- Mobile Access - Yes
- Real-time Availability View - Yes
- Customizable Booking Forms - Yes
- Automated Scheduling - Yes
- Multiple Location Management - Yes
- User Access Controls - Yes
- Detailed Reporting - No
- Advanced Analytics - No
- Notification and Alerts - Yes
- API Integration - Yes
- Payment Processing - Yes
- Recurring Bookings - Yes
- Space Optimization Tools - Yes
- Facility Layout Visualization - Yes
- Conflict Resolution - Yes
- Customer Support - Yes
- Customizable Branding - Yes
- Resource Management - Yes
- Energy Management - No
- Visitor Management - No
- Desk Booking - Yes
- Room Display Integration - Yes
- Feedback Collection - Yes
Skedda Key Features
- Online Booking System: Skedda's core functionality allows users to book spaces online easily. This feature stands out for its user-friendly interface, making booking a straightforward process.
- Calendar Integration: Skedda integrates seamlessly with popular calendar systems. This integration is crucial for ensuring that bookings are in sync with users' personal and professional schedules.
- Customizable Booking Forms: The ability to customize booking forms makes Skedda adaptable to various organizational needs, allowing for collection of specific information pertinent to each booking.
- Automated Scheduling: Skedda automates the scheduling process, reducing manual effort. This feature is particularly efficient in managing recurring bookings and avoiding double bookings.
- Multiple Location Management: For organizations with multiple spaces, Skedda's ability to manage several locations simultaneously is invaluable, offering a centralized view of all bookings.
- User Access Controls: Skedda’s detailed user access controls ensure that administrators can manage who books what space and when, providing a high level of security and customization.
- API Integration: The availability of API integration allows Skedda to connect with other software systems, enhancing its functionality and data sharing capabilities.
- Payment Processing: Skedda includes a payment processing feature, which is essential for spaces that charge for bookings, streamlining the financial aspect of space management.
- Facility Layout Visualization: The visual representation of space layout helps users understand the physical space they are booking, a feature that sets Skedda apart in terms of user experience.
- Resource Management: Skedda's resource management feature helps in tracking and managing the physical assets within each bookable space, adding another layer of efficiency to space utilization.
Ease Of Use
Evaluating Skedda's user interface, I find it notably straightforward and user-friendly. The process of booking and managing spaces is intuitive, making it accessible even to those who are not tech-savvy. The onboarding process is streamlined, with clear instructions and guidance, allowing new users to quickly become proficient.
Navigation within the tool is logical, with a clean design and well-organized features. However, the high level of customization in booking rules, while a strength, can introduce complexity. It may require more time for users to fully understand and effectively implement these rules. Additionally, for organizations with complex needs, setting up the system initially might require more effort to tailor it to specific requirements.
Customer Support
Regarding customer support, Skedda provides a solid range of support options. They offer documentation, tutorials, and a responsive live chat service, which are quite helpful for immediate assistance and learning the platform. Their response times are generally quick, ensuring that users don't experience prolonged delays when facing issues.
However, some users might find the lack of phone support limiting, particularly in scenarios where direct conversation could resolve issues more efficiently. Another potential weakness is that while the available online resources are comprehensive, they may not cover every specific or complex scenario users encounter, leading to situations where users have to figure out solutions independently.
Integrations
Skedda offers a variety of native integrations with other software and tools to enhance its functionality. These integrations include popular calendar applications like Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook, allowing for seamless synchronization of bookings with users' personal and professional schedules. Payment processing integrations such as Stripe and PayPal are also available, facilitating easy payment transactions for spaces that charge for bookings. Additionally, Skedda integrates with Zapier, enabling connections to a wide range of apps and services for automating workflows.
Skedda provides an API which allows for custom integrations and the ability to connect with other systems. This API feature offers extensive possibilities for customization and integration with enterprise systems, enhancing data sharing and workflow automation.
There are also add-ons available to extend Skedda's capabilities, including advanced resource management and additional customization options for booking forms and rules, catering to more specific and complex requirements.
Skedda Pricing
Skedda's pricing is structured to cater to a range of needs, from smaller setups to larger, more complex organizations. While specific pricing details may vary, generally, Skedda's pricing is competitive with similar tools, offering a good balance of features for its cost. Some users may find additional costs for premium features or add-ons, which should be considered when evaluating the total cost.
Each pricing tier or plan of Skedda includes:
- Starter Plan: This is often a starting point for many users. The cost is $99/month for up to 15 spaces, providing basic booking and management features suitable for small-scale operations.
- Plus Plan: This plan, priced higher at $149/month for up to 20 spaces, includes more advanced features like an insights dashboard, which are suitable for medium-sized businesses or facilities.
- Premier Plan: The highest tier, priced at $199/month for up to 25 spaces, is designed for larger organizations and provides a full roles & rules engine.
Pricing for each tier varies based on the number of users and specific feature sets. There may also be minimum seat requirements or additional fees for certain integrations or add-ons. In some cases, the pricing is billed annually, which is important to consider when budgeting for the software. Users should also be aware of any base fees or one-time setup fees that may apply.
For the most accurate and current pricing, it is advisable to contact Skedda directly or refer to their official pricing information, as the software's pricing structure and offerings may change over time.
Skedda Use Cases
Who Would Be A Good Fit For Skedda?
Based on my assessment, Skedda is ideal for small to medium-sized organizations or facilities that require efficient space management. This includes environments like coworking spaces, hybrid workplace, educational institutions, studios, and libraries, where there is a need to manage multiple rooms or resources. The tool's intuitive interface and customizable booking rules make it particularly suitable for places where a variety of people need access to book spaces, such as in community centers or small businesses.
Skedda’s most loyal and avid customers are typically those who value the software’s ease of use and ability to streamline the booking process, reducing administrative burdens. For teams or individuals doing hybrid work setups that need a straightforward, easy-to-navigate tool for managing multiple spaces or resources without requiring complex data analytics or reporting, Skedda stands out as a practical choice.
Who Would Be A Bad Fit For Skedda?
Conversely, Skedda might not best fit large enterprises or organizations with highly complex space management needs. Customers who require in-depth reporting and advanced analytics for optimizing space usage may find Skedda lacking in these areas. Industries like large corporate offices or healthcare facilities, where space management needs often intersect with more complex logistical or compliance requirements, might find the tool insufficient.
Additionally, organizations that prioritize detailed data insights for decision-making might be disappointed with Skedda’s simpler approach to analytics and reporting. Teams that need extensive customization beyond what Skedda offers or who require a more robust integration with enterprise-level systems would likely find the tool less suitable for their needs.
Skedda FAQs
Can Skedda be used to manage bookings for meeting rooms and conference rooms?
Yes, Skedda is designed to efficiently manage bookings for meeting rooms and conference rooms, providing a clear schedule and preventing double bookings.
Does Skedda offer floorplan views to help visualize office space and desk arrangements?
Skedda includes a feature for viewing floorplans, which helps in visualizing and planning the layout of office spaces, including hot desks and meeting room placements.
Is there a hot desk booking feature available in Skedda?
Skedda supports hot desk booking, allowing users to easily reserve desks on an as-needed basis, which is especially useful in flexible office environments.
Can Skedda integrate with Single Sign-On (SSO) systems for user management?
Yes, Skedda supports integration with SSO systems, simplifying the user management process by allowing users to access the platform with their existing credentials.
Are there mobile apps available for iOS and Android for managing meeting room bookings?
Skedda offers mobile apps for both iOS and Android, making it convenient for users to manage meeting room bookings on the go.
How does Skedda assist non-profits in managing their office space?
Skedda is suitable for non-profits, providing an easy-to-use booking solution that helps in efficiently managing office space and resources, which can be particularly valuable for organizations with limited administrative resources.
Does Skedda offer options for online payments for booking spaces?
Yes, Skedda supports online payments, allowing organizations to easily process payments for bookings, which is useful for spaces that charge for usage.
How does Skedda help in reducing the time-consuming aspects of space management?
This software simplifies space management through its intuitive SaaS platform, automating scheduling tasks and reducing the manual effort involved in managing bookings, including messaging and notifications.
Skedda Company Overview & History
Skedda, a company specializing in self-service scheduling software, provides a platform primarily used for booking spaces like meeting rooms and studios. Their software finds extensive use among various companies, including educational institutions, sports facilities, and businesses looking for efficient space management solutions.
Based in Australia, Skedda operates as a private company. Information about the ownership is not publicly detailed, focusing more on the product and its capabilities than the individuals behind it. The company's headquarters are located in Australia, serving a global clientele.
While there are no specific mentions of notable employees, board members, or advisors, the team at Skedda is known for its commitment to providing a user-friendly and efficient booking solution.
The mission of Skedda is to simplify the space management and booking process, offering an intuitive platform that caters to the needs of various organizations.
In its history, Skedda has achieved several milestones, including significant user growth, expansion of its feature set, and recognition as a reliable and efficient scheduling tool. Key moments include the development of advanced customization options and the expansion of its global user base.
Skedda Summary: The Bottom Line
From my perspective, Skedda stands out in space scheduling software due to its user-friendly interface and the level of customization it offers for booking rules. Its unique appeal lies in its simplicity and effectiveness, particularly for small to medium-sized organizations. Skedda excels in making booking and managing spaces straightforward and efficient.
Noteworthy features include its intuitive user interface, customizable booking rules, and robust integration capabilities. These elements combine to provide a seamless experience for managing various types of spaces, from meeting rooms to studios. What Skedda offers that many others don't is a balance of simplicity and functionality, making it an ideal choice for those who seek an uncomplicated yet powerful booking solution.
Alternatives to Skedda
- Google Workspace: Known for its integration with Google's suite of tools, Google Workspace is often considered when looking for a more integrated solution for workspace management, particularly for those already heavily using Google services.
- Asana: Asana is a popular choice for teams needing more than just space booking, offering a comprehensive project management tool with workspace management features. It's better for those who want an all-in-one project and space management solution.
- Trello: Trello, known for its card-based task management, is often compared with Skedda for its simplicity and user-friendliness. It is a good alternative for teams looking for a more visually oriented tool that can adapt to workspace management.
Summary
In this full review, we've explored Skedda's features, pros and cons, pricing, and ideal user scenarios. Skedda stands out for its ease of use, customizable booking rules, and efficient space management capabilities. It's particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized organizations needing a straightforward, efficient tool for managing meeting rooms, conference rooms, and other spaces. While it may lack in advanced analytics and comprehensive reporting, its user-friendliness and customization options make it a strong contender in the workspace management software category. If you're considering Skedda or have used it in the past, I invite you to share your experiences and insights. Your comments can help others decide whether Skedda is the right tool for their needs.