Companies all over the world are spending more and more time determining what the return to the office will look like. We have all seen unique and creative ways offices will physically change. Manufacturers of various office technology products are all racing to manufacture the answer to the numerous questions and concerns being asked.
However, current technology solutions exist that have been performing a specific set of actions in the modern office. Maybe we should be looking at those existing technologies to pivot to our new needs and not start from the beginning to solve these questions.
A need for a strong pivot is the occupancy management solutions that entered the market a few years back. Occupancy sensors, room calendar information, and data science were being touted to inform and encourage change around how your most costly asset, people, utilize your 2nd most costly asset, space. The thought was if we can inform the Facilities and Real Estate managers of large companies how people use or not use your space, we can increase occupancy efficiencies above the dreaded 54% threshold. You can use this empirical data to inform changes to your floor plate to drive behaviors and spend money efficiently. CFOs rarely argue against raw data, right?
With the return to the office, we must know a lot more than occupancy and office space utilization. We must have more access to greater detail in the data sets to shape a safe space people will wish to return to. We also must provide a safe and dynamic office people wish to feel comfortable in, knowing that leadership has considered them.
What should be answered:
- What is my total occupancy count?
- If the sensors see the total count approach 25%, 50%, and 75% of CDC guidelines, how is that information shared?
- What indicators does a coworker have that he or she is entering a room already at its capacity?
- How can you have the ability to reserve and release rooms using sensors or other touchless technologies?
- How can I be informed of what is happening in the room when visibility is limited?
- What specifically are they using and how can I modify behavior so not to crowd people into that room again?
- How can occupancy rates, determined uses, and frequency of use be a trigger to enact cleaning protocols?
- How has the return to the office impacted my Real Estate portfolio? Will time indicate you might not renew leases or shelve that expansion?
Solutions like Safe by Density uses real-time sensor data that works completely anonymously and accurately to know where people are gathering and occupying. Utilizing readily available digital signage solutions and tablets, you can visually indicate to your teams what the current state of the room, space, and office is so that they are empowered to make decisions for themselves. You can also receive alerts when monitored spaces exceed guidelines, are due for a cleaning procedure, or are under-utilized throughout the day. Along with a powerful dashboard of metrics and that valuable data, you can modify protocols and policies to fit your changing post-COVID offices.
Have any questions? Please don't hesitate to contact:
Michael Combs
Sales Account Executive
e: mcombs@solutionzinc.com
p: 206.686.3530
