Workplace Sensors

What Is an Office Sensor Platform?

Sensors are powerful devices that can collect data on workspace utilization and behaviors. They can determine how many people are in a room, whether people are occupying a certain spot like a desk, and whether a person comes into a room. An office sensor platform is a sensor and its signal processing hardware paired with software to interpret the data. The hardware can be either in the same package or separate from the actual sensor with processing done locally or in the cloud. An office sensor platform is essentially a space utilization platform because it typically reports on space utilization metrics.

IoT Sensors

IoT (internet of things) sensors are valuable tools that rely on internet technology to gather analytics on workplace behaviors. They provide unique insights into things like which spaces tend to be used the most. They can also save the company in expenses. Take a look at some of the benefits of IoT sensors:

Reduce Real Estate Costs
Did you know that real estate is the second-highest cost for most companies after employees? IoT sensors capture real-time space utilization data, including data for individual work stations or chairs. They also give managers valuable metrics such as average and peak work activity, how many seats are occupied, and how long people spend in specific areas such as conference rooms.
Improve Employee Work Flows
Since today’s employees widely use portable laptops and smartphones, they can more easily sit wherever they want in the office. IoT sensors with room reservation software allow employees to see which spaces are occupied and which are available. Having a scheduling system can reduce workplace tension and improve employees’ work flows.
Reduce Energy Usage
Energy usage is a hefty expense for businesses that occupy office space. Did you know that as much as half an office building remains unused at any given time? When unused space racks up heating, cooling and lighting costs, money is going down the drain. IoT sensors that detect and report underutilized spaces can save your company significantly.

Office Sensors

Businesses are starting to view IoT sensors as a critical component for success. They connect multiple technologies and allows facility managers to collect revealing data about employee behavior. Sensors can collect information that was previously impossible, such as employee engagement with a space. Now that you’ve learned the benefits of IoT sensors, let’s examine some of the most popular office sensors.

Occupancy Sensors

An occupancy sensor is a small device that can detect if people are occupying a location. Businesses are starting to realize the value of occupancy sensors. They possess simple functionality, are easy to set up, and come with lucrative benefits. Their ability to detect occupancy gives facility managers extremely valuable data about how employees use the workplace. The benefits that come with using occupancy sensors include improved workplace flexibility, space utilization, and cost savings.

Workplace Flexibility
Occupancy sensors can quickly locate available spaces for people to use. Some sensors detect which rooms are occupied. Others count the number of people in there. More advanced sensors can reveal how long the room has been occupied. Occupancy sensors reduce the time to locate a workspace to minutes.
Space Utilization
Occupancy sensors achieve effective space utilization because they offer real-time insight into available and occupied workspaces. Occupancy sensors also bring real-time data to facilities management. Historical data stored by sensors has great information. For example, if data reveals that 70% of desk renters leave after four hours, your office can adjust reservation times accordingly.
Cost Savings
Occupancy sensors help businesses significantly cut costs. For example, businesses often waste money lighting an unused office area. By using automated lights combined with occupancy sensors to switch on and off, your company can conserve energy and reduce costs. In situations where employees forget to turn off the lights when they leave a room, occupancy sensors will cut the lights off for them. Besides cutting costs, occupancy sensors illuminate how much space you’re actually using. If one conference room has a utilization rate of 80% per month while another one has a 12% rate, facility managers can determine if they really need the space and how much it’s actually worth.

Headcount Sensors

Headcount sensors enable businesses to understand their customers, employees, and occupancy patterns, which in turn helps them optimize their space. Let’s review some common headcount sensors.
Infrared Sensors – Infrared sensors are devices that detect motion and heat radiating off people as they walk by. A major advantage of using infrared sensors is that they are both anonymous and easily deployed for temporary studies on occupancy and usage. They are typically more cost effective than other sensor types as well.
Optical Sensors – Optical sensors identify people walking through or actively using spaces. They count people, including those in large groups, to get an accurate usage count. The biggest advantage of optical sensors is their accuracy. They can also paint a complete picture of the types of customers a business attracts and how they interact with the environment. Optical sensors involve a relatively simple install, but may require power over Ethernet either to the sensor itself or its corresponding wireless gateway.

Get Smart Insights Today With AVUITY Sensors

Collecting data on occupancy, headcount, and environmental metrics has never been easier with AVUITY’s sensor platform. We offer a range of sensor options to fit your need for incremental studies or full-time space measurement.

VuAI is a cutting-edge wireless device that uses Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to measure human occupancy and determine how people interact with the space and objects around them. VuAI is ideal for any working environment as the hardware is “semi-permanent” and can be installed short-term or for years to come. VuSensor collects data on how space is used to help you make insightful decisions. It is ideal for more long-term installations as it requires a POE connection to each sensor. AVUITY’s IR sensors are ideal for intermittent or incremental studies. They provide highly useful data on desk occupancy, workstation usage, and utilization trends with our reporting and analytics tools in VuSpace. Try us today and elevate your company’s productivity.

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