The Volksbank Forum: A flagship desk-sharing project

Are banks and bank offices outdated and inflexible? Then we would be happy to convince you otherwise!

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

Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG tells us how they are doing after a little over a year of hybrid working, 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, flexible way of working. “Our office spaces are designed according to a modern workplace concept featuring various types of rooms: there is a suitable space for every task—functionally equipped and thoughtfully designed,” says 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 at the same time the office remains central for collaboration. To combine flexibility and efficient use of space, Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG relies on a well-thought-out desk-sharing concept – controlled with Flexopus.

Even before the move to the new Volksbank Forum, the software was tested as a pilot project at the previous locations. The decision was made quickly. “Thanks to the user-friendly interface, we have already had very positive experiences with Flexopus during the pilot phase,” said Gabriel Wagner.

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

Efficient use of space: Spontaneity meets efficiency in everyday life

“About 40 percent of employees regularly work remotely,” describes Gabriel Wagner from Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG. The combination of mobile and on-site work ensures a very balanced utilization of office space. Workplaces and parking spaces are neither permanently blocked nor overloaded.

According to Gabriel Wagner, spontaneous bookings are crucial for the hybrid workday: “When spontaneous bookings need to be made, this is always possible via Flexopus and creates real added value.”

The clear structure of the bookings thus 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 how New Work works.

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

Instead of classic, uniform office spaces, the bank relies on different work zones that are specifically tailored to different needs. Employees can choose the appropriate workplace depending on the task 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 meetings
• 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, for a specific purpose or next to their favorite colleague, thanks to Flexopus' practical favorites function.

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

Following the introduction of Flexopus, Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG was able to observe several positive developments and clearly measure and evaluate them using the integrated analysis tool of Flexopus.

Since the introduction of Flexopus, transparency regarding the use of work and parking areas has increased particularly noticeably. Instead of gut feeling, there is now reliable data on how much the premises are actually used – and which areas are in demand when and how.

This brings several advantages in everyday life:

• Significantly improved planning in day-to-day 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 analyses in Flexopus, we can precisely track the occupancy of our premises and make well-founded decisions on this basis,” says Gabriel Wagner.

Another finding: Workplaces and parking spaces can be optimally coordinated. Employees can book spontaneously without unnecessarily blocking resources.

In short: Flexopus analytics not only ensures a good user experience, but also makes land use controllable and much more efficient.

Employee feedback: “Finally, full flexibility.”

A new way of working will only be successful in the long term if it is accepted and embraced by the team. Therefore, feedback from the teams was particularly important for Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG.

“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” – Gabriel Wagner, Corporate Communications.

Many employees particularly highlight how easy Flexopus is to use. Whether on a laptop in the office or on the go, booking a workspace or meeting room is intuitive and requires little effort.

Transparency is also particularly valued:

• Suitable workplace types can be specifically selected.
• Available rooms are visible at all times.

This creates planning certainty in everyday work.

One sentence comes up particularly often in the feedback – and aptly describes the effect of the new way of working: “We benefit from full flexibility.”

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

Recommendations and tips for introducing desk sharing

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

1. Creating transparency
   Employees must be able to see at any time which workplaces and rooms are available. Tools like Flexopus form the basis for this.
   
   
2. Offer a variety of workplace types
   It's not the quantity, but the fit that counts. Each activity—focused work, collaboration, exchange, or relaxation—requires appropriate spatial concepts.
   
   
3. Prioritize simplicity
   Good solutions work when they can be used without needing explanation. An intuitive booking tool is a crucial success factor here.
   

One year of Flexopus: A complete success

One year after its introduction, it is clear: The modern workplace concept of Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar eG works wonderfully.

By combining hybrid work, clearly structured work zones and the support of Flexopus, it has been possible to use office space efficiently while creating an attractive working environment.

Employees benefit from greater flexibility and transparency in their daily work. In turn, the company gains valuable insights into the use of office space and can further develop it based on data.

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

"Flexopus enables us to use a modern, flexible and reliable workplace – and has thus made our hybrid working day significantly easier and more efficient."