As COVID-19 saw offices close and staff working remotely, it’s likely that the way we work will change forever. In this article, we look at how working practices may alter, and the key role of environmental and occupancy sensors in workspace management.
What changes could coronavirus bring to our workplaces?
Social distancing, remote working, online conferencing… the way we work has altered radically in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. But as the government looks at how to restart the economy, it’s clear that the working world we once knew has shifted. A survey [1] by Gartner Inc at the end of March 2020 revealed that of the 317 CFOs and finance leaders questioned, 74% are planning to move at least 5% of their previously on-site workforce to permanently remote positions.
Big changes. But for those remaining in the office, it’s likely that social distancing may still need to be practised for a while to come. And even for those working remotely, the chances are they’ll still need to go into work on occasion. If the 2-metre rule remains in place, for many this will mean fewer people can feasibly fit into an office space.
[1] https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-04-03-gartner-cfo-surey-reveals-74-percent-of-organizations-to-shift-some-employees-to-remote-work-permanently2
Occupancy sensors
Imagine a new workspace where instead of 20 people in an office you can only safely house 10. But looking around, you see that actually, there are only five people sitting and working. The other five are out at meetings, on flexible shift patterns, on annual leave… any number of reasons. Planning your resource isn’t always as simple as it first seems. Desk occupancy sensors can come to the fore here. They monitor a space using passive infrared radiation (PIR), and can tell you if a space is occupied. They can be configured for reasonable short breaks away. This can tell you which desks are most occupied and for how long, and conversely which are free for longer.
Similarly, you can use these sensors to assess other areas, such as meeting rooms and break-out areas. You can monitor data collected by the sensors to identify underused or high-usage areas, and plan accordingly. This works for your cleaning rota, too. The sensors can tell you which areas have been used, so they can be cleaned before being used again.
Environmental sensors
We’re all now far more conscious of the space around us and the air we breathe. Environmental sensors can help you maintain comfortable working conditions, giving you access to real-time air quality conditions and helping you to find the most efficient ways to use heating, ventilation and air conditioning. They can also offer more automated control over each area of your building.
How do the sensors work?
The smart sensors discreetly fit onto desks, windows, doors and other areas of your office, sending the data they gather wirelessly and securely. This data is then converted into industry-standard MQTT protocol, and is made available via the cloud.
Each organisation will need its own set of rules, depending on the size of its premises and its workforce. Once you’ve established these, you can harness the smart sensor technology to support you in your new world of work.
To find out more about Pressac’s occupancy and environmental monitoring sensors, please get in touch.
