Why RTO Will Fail Most Companies—And How to Avoid It

Companies are discovering that return-to-office (RTO) initiatives are failing because they treat them as simple policy changes instead of complex system migrations.

At Teqtivity, we've noticed that successful RTO transitions happen when companies understand that bringing employees back to the office requires the same careful planning as migrating your systems to the cloud. Without proper technology infrastructure, even the best-intentioned RTO plans will struggle.

The Hidden Costs of Poor RTO Planning

Companies bringing employees back to the office often think only about obvious costs, like rent and utilities. They miss the bigger, hidden expenses that can hurt their bottom line.

People quit more often when technology isn't ready for office returns. Studies indicate that poorly planned returns cause nearly 10% more employees to leave. For a company with 1,000 people, this extra turnover can waste millions in replacement costs.

Work slows down too. More than half of companies see productivity drop for at least three months after people return to offices. This happens because teams lose momentum, communication patterns change, and help desk calls increase as tech teams try to support both office and home equipment simultaneously.

Why Technology Is at the Heart of the RTO Challenge

When everyone suddenly had to work from home during the pandemic, technology became the lifeline that kept businesses running. During those years, companies and employees completely changed how they use technology. The pandemic created new ways of working together online that don't easily fit into old office routines.

Now, as companies implement RTO policies, they're discovering that the technology landscape has fundamentally changed. You can't simply return to 2019 systems and expect 2025 productivity. That's why IT asset management has become a critical factor in successful transitions.

The IT Asset Management Gap

As an IT asset management provider, we've identified several ways that an ITAM gap can derail RTO:

• Companies have no idea where their technology assets are: Most organizations have lost track of exactly what technology they have, who's using it, and how it's being used. This leads to unnecessary purchases, security vulnerabilities, and compliance risks.
• Complex software landscapes: During remote work, departments often used specialized tools independently, creating a complex software landscape that's difficult to consolidate during RTO transitions.
• Support Resource Misalignment: IT teams structured for pre-pandemic operations aren't positioned to support hybrid workflows, creating bottlenecks and service delays.

How to Approach RTO Successfully

The best companies treat return-to-office like a major technology migration:

• Build a Cross-Functional Team: Include IT, Finance, HR, Operations, and Facilities in your planning. Each department brings an important perspective to make the transition work.
• Track Your Technology Assets: You can't manage what you can't see. Know exactly what technology you have, who's using it, and how it's being used to make smart decisions.
• Map Your Technology Workflows: Understand how information and processes flow through your organization today, not how they worked pre-pandemic.
• Test Before You Transition: Implement phased returns with small groups to identify technology gaps before they affect the entire organization.

The Critical Role of IT Asset Management

Strong IT asset management is the foundation of successful RTO initiatives. Real-time visibility into your technology ecosystem creates a solid foundation for your transition. When companies know exactly what equipment they have, they avoid wasting money on duplicate devices or software during transitions.

Good asset management also streamlines the logistics of hybrid work. Automated systems for tracking and assigning equipment make it easier for employees to get what they need regardless of location. This visibility extends to security—when you know where every device is and who's using it, you can respond faster to security issues as employees transport company devices between home and office.

Beyond day-to-day operations, proper IT asset management enables smarter long-term planning. Finance and IT teams can use actual data to make better budget decisions about technology investments.

How ITAM Bridges Departmental Gaps in RTO Planning

Technology serves as the bridge between departmental priorities:

• IT and HR Collaboration: Both departments benefit when IT asset management systems integrate with HR workflows. HR ensures employees have the tools they need from day one, while IT maintains visibility and control over equipment allocation.
• IT and Finance Alignment: Finance teams need accurate data on technology costs to model RTO expenses effectively. When IT asset management provides real-time visibility into equipment utilization and software licensing, Finance can make more accurate projections.
• IT and Security Integration: Security risks multiply as assets move between environments. Integrated asset management and security monitoring ensure protection follows devices regardless of location.

Creating Your RTO Technology Plan

To build a successful RTO technology foundation:

• Connect Your Systems: Implement solutions that let different departments share information about technology assets automatically.
• Reduce Technology Friction: Design your systems so people can work seamlessly between home and office without technical headaches.
• Stay Flexible: Build technology systems that can adapt as your workplace needs continue to evolve.
• Automate Routine Processes: Use asset management workflows to handle predictable transitions, such as equipment setup when moving between locations.

Success Is About Systems, Not Space

The real question isn't whether employees should return to offices, it's whether your technology systems can support productive work in any location. Innovative companies focus on building connected, flexible technology infrastructure rather than simply mandating where people sit.

In the end, successful return-to-office initiatives are about creating new, better working methods that give people the right tools in the right places. By starting with a clear understanding of your technology assets and building from there, you create an environment where people can do their best work, whether they're in the office, at home, or moving between the two.

In my experience in the technology sector, I've never seen a more critical moment for IT asset management. As organizations navigate this complex transition, those with strong technology foundations will emerge stronger, more resilient, and better positioned for whatever comes next.