A well-connected office is a key success for all businesses including Atlanta's FinTech crowd as they compete to attract top talent and drive innovation in the emerging sector. The Value of Connectivity, a new report from Radius Global surveying office leasing decision makers in the 10-largest US metro areas, including Atlanta, found that office tenants report increased stress levels, frustration in helping customers, and lower productivity when connectivity issues interrupt their work.

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The research also found 77% of leasing decision makers confirm that poor connectivity impacts company's profitability. As a result, tenants now rank quality of internet as their second-highest priority after location when searching for office space.

The Atlanta area has seen a number of high-profile corporate expansions including new software development centers and innovation labs. Companies including Anthem, NCR, Sage Software, GE Digital, and Honeywell have brought thousands of new jobs to the region in recent years.

Leading up to 2018, a number of commercial owners proactively sought out certification in an effort to get ahead of this issue. These landlords include: Columbia Property Trust (One and Three Glenlake), Hines (1180 Peachtree), Jamestown (Ponce City Market), Lionstone (Colony Square), Seven Oaks Management (Perimeter Summit), and Zeller Realty (100 Peachtree). In total, 14 properties in the Atlanta corridor have been Wired Certified to date.

One of the earliest WiredScore adopters, Jamestown, has recently renewed Wired Certification for Ponce City Market and is now kicking off their third year with the certification. Lionstone, who achieved Wired Certification for Colony Square in 2016, is in the process of extending certification to another asset in their portfolio, 271 17^th Street. WiredScore is planning an early February launch during which the team will host an event with 100-plus local industry names in attendance.

Prior to joining WiredScore, Jeske served as senior associate at Avison Young's Atlanta office where he specialized in tenant representation with a focus on technology and startups. Here, Jeske saw firsthand the rising trend of tenants presenting landlords with connectivity requirements and asset managers and leasing teams struggling to effectively communicate how their buildings stacked up in response.

“We've been waiting on a true local expert to join our team before diving into Atlanta. JD knows the Atlanta real estate market inside and out and we're thrilled to welcome him to the team and watch him put that expertise to work,” Arie Barendrecht, founder and CEO of WiredScore, tells GlobeSt.com. “His hiring is instrumental to our 2018 Q1 Atlanta launch. I look forward to servicing the local demand we've received throughout the year and to have JD bring further awareness to the certification across Atlanta.”