The Volksbank Forum: A showcase desk sharing project

Think banks and bank offices are dusty and inflexible? We’re here to change your mind!

With around 760 employees and a balance sheet total of 6 billion euros, Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG is one of the largest employers and one of the biggest cooperative banks in the region. Modern premises with well-thought-out work zones and flexible working are top priorities for the company, and this concept is organized using Flexopus. All 760 employees have the option to book one of the nearly 300 workstations and around 150 parking spaces at the Volksbank Forum: that means total flexibility.

Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG shares how things are going after more than a year of hybrid work, desk sharing, and using our workplace management software.

Eight locations merge into one forum: A well-thought-out concept meets intuitive booking software

With the opening of the Volksbank Forum in Wendlingen am Neckar in the spring of 2025, all internal departments, previously spread across around eight locations, were centralized in a new office building. "The Volksbank Forum" stands for a new, sustainable, and flexible way of working. "Our office spaces follow a modern workplace concept with different room types: there is a suitable place for every activity – functionally equipped and thoughtfully designed," reports Gabriel Wagner, our contact at Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG.

The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the change: mobile working was quickly integrated into everyday life at Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG, while the office remains central to collaboration. To combine flexibility with efficient space utilization, Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG relies on a well-thought-out desk-sharing concept – managed with Flexopus.

Even before moving into the new Volksbank Forum, the software was tested as a pilot at the previous locations. The decision was made quickly. "Thanks to the user-friendly interface, we already had very positive experiences with Flexopus during the pilot phase," says Gabriel Wagner.

Today, all workstations, various room types, and parking spaces are booked centrally via Flexopus. 

Efficient space utilization: Spontaneity meets efficiency in everyday life

"About 40 percent of employees work remotely on a regular basis," describes Gabriel Wagner of Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG. The combination of mobile and on-site work ensures a very balanced utilization of office space. Workstations and parking spaces are neither permanently blocked nor overcrowded.

According to Gabriel Wagner, spontaneous bookings are crucial for the hybrid workday: "When bookings need to be made on the fly, it is possible at any time via Flexopus, which creates real added value."

The clear structure of the bookings prevents the typical problems of uncontrolled desk sharing, such as occupied but unused workstations or uncertainty about where colleagues are sitting.

Zones adapted to needs: This is New Work

The new office building of Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG follows a clearly structured workplace concept: different activities require different work environments.

Instead of classic, uniform office spaces, the bank relies on various work zones specifically tailored to different needs. Depending on the task, employees can choose the appropriate workstation and book it easily via Flexopus.

The Volksbank's concept for the Forum looks like this:

• Focus workstations for concentrated work
• Collaboration areas for teamwork and exchange
• Well-equipped meeting rooms for conferences
• Thoughtfully designed spaces for relaxation and breaks

This clear structure creates a work environment that is both productive and pleasant. Employees can flexibly decide where they want to work—whether for a specific purpose or simply next to their favorite colleague, thanks to the practical favorites feature in Flexopus.

Measurable success through data analysis: more transparency, better planning, and less downtime.

Following the introduction of Flexopus, Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG observed several positive developments, which they were able to clearly measure and evaluate using the integrated Flexopus analysis tool.

Since the introduction of Flexopus, transparency regarding the use of workspaces and parking areas has increased significantly. Instead of relying on gut feeling, there is now reliable data on how heavily the facilities are actually being used—and which areas are in demand, when, and how.

This offers several advantages in everyday operations:

• Significantly better planning for daily business
• Informed decisions regarding workplace concepts and space requirements
• Targeted optimization of individual zones and resource types
• A happier, more efficient team
  

"Thanks to the evaluations in Flexopus, we can precisely track the utilization of our facilities and make informed decisions based on this data," says Gabriel Wagner.

Another result: workspaces and parking spaces can be optimally coordinated. Employees can book spontaneously without resources being blocked unnecessarily.

In short: Flexopus analytics not only ensures a great user experience but also makes space utilization manageable and much more efficient.

Employee feedback: "Finally, full flexibility."

A new way of working only succeeds in the long term if it is accepted and embraced by the team. That is why feedback from the teams was particularly important for Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG.

"The feedback has been consistently positive," says Gabriel Wagner, Corporate Communications.

Many employees highlight the ease of use of Flexopus above all else. Whether on a laptop in the office or on the go, booking a workspace or a meeting room is intuitive and effortless.

The transparency is also particularly appreciated:

• suitable workspace types can be selected specifically
• available rooms are visible at all times

This creates planning security in the daily work routine.

One sentence comes up particularly often in the feedback, perfectly capturing the effect of the new way of working: “We benefit from complete flexibility.”

For Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG, this feedback shows that Flexopus enables exactly what modern work concepts require: flexible use of office space without losing structure or oversight.

Recommendations and tips for introducing desk sharing

Based on their own experience, the Volksbank has clear recommendations for companies that also want to introduce a flexible workspace concept:

1. Create transparency
   Employees must be able to see which workstations and rooms are available at all times. Tools like Flexopus provide the foundation for this.
   
   
2. Offer a variety of workspace types
   It’s not about quantity, but suitability. Focused work, collaboration, networking, and relaxation each require appropriate room concepts.
   
   
3. Prioritize simplicity
   Good solutions work when they can be used without needing explanation. An intuitive booking tool is a decisive success factor here.
   

One year of Flexopus: A complete success

One year after its introduction, it is clear: the modern workspace concept at Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG is working wonderfully.

By combining hybrid work, clearly structured work zones, and the support of Flexopus, they have succeeded in using office space efficiently while simultaneously creating an attractive work environment.

Employees benefit from more flexibility and transparency in their daily work. The company, in turn, gains valuable insights into office space usage and can continue to develop it based on data.

Or, as our contact person Gabriel Wagner summarizes the success in one sentence:

“Flexopus enables us to use our workspaces in a modern, flexible, and reliable way—making our hybrid workday significantly easier and more efficient.”