Technology has impacted the smart office space in a significant way. We’ve seen computers replaced by laptops, offices replaced by cubicles, and even photocopiers replaced with scanners. As we head into the future, it’s safe to say that more changes are coming our way – some will be incremental improvements while others may completely change how we work for good! In this blog post, I wanted to take a look at one of these upcoming technologies that can help us improve our businesses today and tomorrow.
This blog post will explore the future of the Internet of Things and how it will impact office space in the coming years. We’ll look at what an intelligent office is, why they’re so beneficial to businesses, and see which applications are available today.
What is Smart Office?
Smart office is the idea of bringing together IoT, internet applications and modern technology to transform one’s workspace into a more efficient environment.
A smart office comes in many different shapes and sizes depending on the purpose of its business or organization. From built-in sensors that track your movement throughout the day to optimize productivity with WiFi-connected lights that change color to a more traditional-looking office with smart furniture and applications, there are many ways to make your office smarter.
What constitutes a “smart” space is constantly evolving as technology progresses. Still, the core idea remains the same: create an environment where both humans and machines can communicate seamlessly together to optimize our time spent there.
The coming of age of Smart offices.
Pandemic made everyone realize that the conventional office setup was unnecessary and that a more flexible working environment not defined by physical spaces is indeed possible.
As the world of technology progresses, so too does our need to integrate it with all facets of life. The smart office is an integral part of this process and its presence will only continue to grow with time.
Some notable examples include Google’s offices in New York City that use sensors for air quality control and Microsoft HQ in San Francisco featuring a glass wall that adjusts tint depending on weather conditions and sales data from nearby stores.
One can quickly see how such advancements would positively impact workspaces and make them more intuitive and comprehensive in terms of employee well being and workplace
Future Applications of IoT in the Office
1) Smart Climate Control
If appliances can sense and react to occupancy and use data from motion detectors, light sensors, etc., they could potentially cool or heat a room accordingly without wasting resources on areas that aren’t occupied at certain times of the day. This kind of technology has been implemented in some buildings already by companies to ensure that their work environment is comfortable enough so that the productivity of their employees is not negatively impacted.
2) Occupancy Detection
Another use for the IoT within an office could be to detect occupancy. Let’s say a room has been left empty and locked. After office hours or a defined period, it might automatically shut off lights or other appliances left on by mistake. This would save energy and keep employees safe as they leave their workplace at night and ensure no unexpected accidents occur because of opened doors/windows or un-extinguished candles.
3) Smart Furniture
One more idea is considering how we work in our offices today vs. future workspaces – one such opportunity may be flexible furniture that can move according to need (noise levels, number of people working together, etc. We already have adjustable desks, but what about chairs? Or couches? These kinds of smart furniture, which also keeps ergonomics in mind, would ensure the comfort of the employees and that the floor space is optimally utilized.
Portended Benefits of IoT in the Smart Office
1) Energy efficient
IoT allows for more precise control over the office climate. Instead of setting the exact temperature to an entire floor, individual rooms can be regulated according to occupancy and time of day activities without wasting energy or creating discomfort among employees. It would also help manage power consumption throughout different areas within your workspace such as meeting rooms, workstations, etc., depending on whether it is indeed needed, without any human interference.
2) Optimum Use of limited workspaces
Advanced analytics through sensing capabilities creates an environment that tracks people’s movement throughout the building while simultaneously mapping out optimal spatial configurations for different activities within your workspace. With this information being collected about how employees interact with furniture arrangements based on the location of use, new designs can be created which are in line with these movement patterns.
3) Can be used to cater to the hygiene requirements too
Due to the ability for smart offices to sense when people are in different areas of the office, this data can be used as a proxy for understanding how often restrooms are being used. This information will make it easier for managers and owners of these properties to determine if there is enough capacity or they need more facilities.
Also, in these trying times when sanitation is of utmost importance, smart systems can be used to receive timely alerts to sanitize the frequently used places and let you know which locations do not require sanitation as they have not been used.
4) Movement Tracking
Things start to get a little bit invasive with the smart office concept here. However, this technology can be used effectively if implemented properly and responsibly. For instance, key cards or biometric scanning can be used in high-security areas to regulate who enters and exits the premises. By using this method, only specific personnel may be allowed into certain parts of the building, reducing operational costs for owners and improving safety.
Also, it can be used to check temperatures to ensure health safety and movement tracking to avoid concentration in one area.
Conclusion
Thus, if these smart office concepts are appropriately implemented, it will lead to more efficient workspaces within businesses and make things easier for managers by allowing them access information when needed instead of constantly monitoring their staff members’ progress all the time.