Parzelo: solving the facility logistics puzzle

Published: 27 October 2025 (Facto)

Within many organisations, the hybrid work model has firmly established itself and changed the way we work. Employees appreciate the flexibility and variety that hybrid working offers – and they expect that option. But this also means increasing pressure on facility management. Facility managers face a growing challenge: how do you maintain control over all logistical processes in a world where workplaces and working hours are becoming increasingly fragmented? Facility management has long evolved beyond cleaning schedules and the traditional duties of building supervisors and reception staff. It has become a strategic discipline where facility managers – both visible and behind the scenes – optimise workflows and support employees. In today’s hybrid environment, this role is more critical and complex than ever. Employees move between home, the office and other locations, expecting the same level of convenience and service wherever they go. As a result, the facility manager has become a true orchestrator of convenience.

Hybrid working: a logistical puzzle Hybrid working introduces structural challenges that directly affect facility management. Consider IT assets that must be instantly available, parcels that cannot go missing, and workplaces that feel like a second home. At the same time, employees interact with multiple systems, suppliers and locations, creating a web of complexity.

A well-structured internal logistics system is essential. According to IFMA’s Global FM Impact Report 2023, streamlined internal logistics improves facility utilisation, reduces costs and enhances employee satisfaction. Yet many organisations still rely on disconnected systems and manual processes, which wastes time and increases the risk of errors.

Modern workplaces demand a single, integrated overview where processes, technology and user experience converge. The result is a data-driven, efficient approach that not only cuts costs but also elevates the employee experience.

The modern workplace requires a single, integrated overview where internal processes,

technology and user experience come together (location photo: HNK Amsterdam Sloterdijk).

Gaining control of hybrid facility processes Achieving control over internal logistics in a hybrid environment starts with insight:

1. Assess your current processes – where are the bottlenecks? Which processes are unclear or inefficient?

2. Analyse how time is spent – where does most time go, and can it be simplified or automated?

3. Automate small steps – consider smart scanning tools, notifications or dashboards to improve visibility and control.

4. Treat internal logistics as a strategic opportunity – explore how logistics can support and relieve work patterns. Streamlined processes enhance efficiency and employee satisfaction.
   

Case study: uva-hva campus At the University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (UvA-HvA), the challenge was to cut costs while making logistics smarter and more coherent. With 80 locations, 80,000 students and around 15,000 staff, this was no small task. Two central hubs now handle all incoming and outgoing mail, parcels and goods. Previously, caretakers were required at each site to receive deliveries. Thanks to unmanned parcel lockers and a monitoring tool, this is no longer necessary.

Since adopting Parzelo, there is full visibility: where a shipment is, who collected it and when. Richard Gustke, logistics team leader at HvA-UvA-Canon, explains: “This system works brilliantly for us. We are far more efficient now and can monitor everything. The control function is excellent – it keeps the process fully transparent at all times, giving us much greater oversight.”

Parzelo has not only improved internal distribution but also enabled expansion into additional services, such as delivering books for students and fruit for staff. Gustke adds: “Parzelo allows us to do more for our colleagues.”

Thanks to unmanned parcel lockers, UvA-HvA no longer needs caretakers to receive deliveries.

Taking the lead in a hybrid world For facility managers, the shift in work environments means moving from traditional management to becoming orchestrators of convenience. Those who embrace this role create calm, clarity and impact in a hybrid world where convenience is no longer a luxury but an expectation. It is time to stop treating internal logistics as a side issue and start regarding it as a strategic pillar that supports modern workstyles and ensures operational resilience.

Whether it is the mailroom, IT service desk or a reception overwhelmed by deliveries and requests, those who solve the logistical puzzle gain on three fronts: reduced costs, less manual effort, and more time to make a real impact. See Parzelo.com for more information.