How smart sensors support hybrid and flexible workspaces

Pressac examines how smart sensor technology is transforming the modern workplace, supporting hybrid working, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing employee wellbeing.

The working world has changed dramatically in the last few years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. This saw many of us working from home on a regular basis, and many businesses have continued this practice since all lockdown restrictions were lifted. These days there are a range of different working options available, which has meant that many people have chosen to continue to work from home whilst some have opted for a hybrid solution that only brings them into the workplace some of the time.

This has meant that businesses need to think differently about their office spaces and workspace design. Whether it is the location of the office space or the planning within it, here are new considerations needed to work in this new environment. Whilst there are many different things to take into consideration, it seems that smart sensors are proving to be a vital tool in supporting these hybrid and flexible workspaces, so in this article we find out why.

Tracking desk usage

In a modern workspace, not everyone has their own desk. As there will be a mixture of people coming and going at all times, strategies like hot desking and reverse hoteling are extremely popular. However, if workers are expected to share desks, then they need to know when they are going to be available, so they do not waste time. That is why several workplaces are now investing in smart sensors that can monitor which desks are in use and help workers to find an available space that matches their needs.

Even if you are not able to invest in the kind of sensors that can track this information, it may be possible to implement a desk booking system that works within a hybrid strategy so that employees are able to decide when they want to come into the office and reserve their workspace accordingly.

Energy efficiency

The days of 9-5 office hours are now long gone, with many people choosing to work early in the morning or later in the evening to fit around family and other commitments. This means it is not left to one person to open up in the morning and close up at night, and so things like light and heating will be required at all different times.

Smart sensors can be incredibly effective at making sure that businesses do not waste money on their energy usage. Movement sensors can track when there is someone in the office and keep the lights on accordingly, turning them off as soon as the space becomes vacant. This means you do not need to rely on employees remembering to switch things off when they leave and the amount of energy that is used is kept to a minimum.

Heating and air conditioning can also work in a similar way and with apps available allowing these things to be controlled remotely, it is possible for someone to switch them off even when they are not in the building.

Workplace planning

For anyone running a business, they need to understand how their workplace is being used to decide what to do next. By using occupancy and utilisation data provided by sensors, it is possible to put together more accurate long-term workplace planning. These sensors can measure actual space usage and so can provide a reliable basis for creating the right mix of spaces and determining the ideal ratio of space to employees.

This can also help to determine how much real estate is actually needed by the business and could point to the fact that you can afford to reduce your office space and your costs accordingly.

Putting health and wellbeing first

There at some obvious factors that need to be taken into consideration when taking care of a workplace, but there are also some invisible ones that you might not think about. Things like insufficient ventilation, carbon dioxide accumulation, and allergy buildups can significantly alter the cognitive functions or mood of those working in the office. This will all impact the health and wellbeing of the employees as well as their productivity so it is important to install connected sensors that can monitor air quality and take effective measures to improve this if needed.

Boosting green credentials

By using smart meters, sensors and other smart devices, it is possible to collect significant amounts of data on the ecological impact of your office. This means you can track things like energy consumption and then derive actions that will help to reduce your carbon footprint. Not only will you ensure that you minimise the impact your business has on the environment, but you can also show your customers and partners that you take sustainability seriously.

Providing different spaces

Providing an office space doesn’t just mean a desk and a chair, as most businesses also need things like meeting and conference rooms as well as other types of workspaces. Not only is it possible to use smart sensors to track how these are being used and provide the ability to book them, but they can also control the conditions of the space so that the lighting, air quality and temperature are perfect before any meeting begins. This helps to create an adaptable, flexible and healthy workplace that manages its energy consumption, reduces costs and puts employee wellbeing first.

Layout optimisation

To create the most effective workspace, you don’t just need to think about how many desks you need, but how they should be laid out. It is possible to use data from desk and doorway flow sensors. To reconfigure meeting rooms and workspaces to create a more collaborative and adaptable environment. You can start to understand where employees tend to gather the most and which ones are collaborating so that you can create a space that helps to facilitate this.

We now live in a world where workplaces are innovative and flexible, and so businesses need to be the same. Very few people want to spend their day chained to a desk in between long commutes, so it is important that businesses harness smart technology to help plan their workspace more effectively to provide an inspiring and stimulating space that works for everyone.