"Who’s Sitting Where? The Wi-Fi Detective and Sensor Sidekick Solve the Mystery!"

I genuinely love the conversations I have with my customers and prospects. I know I'm helping them with a real big challenge and I really really do enjoy when we start to show results and share insights.

However, for those that KNOW me, also know, a big adrenaline rush I get is by proving people wrong. Maybe because I always dreamed of being a lawyer but life had other plans.

I say that because for the last year, I've had many conversations with corporate real estate leaders and often times, they feel like they have to choose a set of data to make workplace or real estate decisions that have implications of millions of dollars.

However, things are changing and changing fast. Many university partners and corporate customers of ours at Lambent are starting to see the value of not choosing either or. It's now using ALL. the modern workplace, understanding how spaces are utilized is critical for optimizing efficiency and employee satisfaction. Often, sensors are seen as the primary tool for collecting data on space usage. However, when considered in isolation, sensors only provide a partial view as they only measure a space where they are installed, leaving blind spots. Leveraging only badge data paints a picture of who comes into the office, but it doesn’t tell us where they go or how long they stay. To get a full picture, many organizations are now incorporating Wi-Fi data into their data set.

The Power of a Data Ecosystem

Rather than viewing sensors as standalone information, we should consider them part of a larger data ecosystem. This can include various points like badge swipes, which indicate when employees enter, and Wi-Fi level data, which offers insights into the movement and location of devices throughout the building. By integrating these data sources, we can complete the picture of space usage, not just at the desk level but across entire floors and neighborhoods within a building. Many workplace teams are using this information to not only right size space, but also make sure that they are creating spaces that earn the commute of the employees.

Beyond the Desk: Understanding Employee Mobility

While sensors can tell us whether a desk is being used, they don't provide information about overall employee movement. Wi-Fi data, on the other hand, can reveal how long employees dwell in different spaces and, crucially, where they go when they are not at their desks. This information is invaluable for understanding how spaces are used, whether it’s identifying popular meeting spots, breakout areas, or even tracking foot traffic patterns.

Uncovering Usage Patterns with Wi-Fi Data

One of the significant advantages of integrating Wi-Fi data with sensor data is the ability to differentiate between unique devices. For example, while a sensor might indicate that a desk is occupied, Wi-Fi data can tell us whether it’s the same individual using that desk consistently or multiple people rotating through it. This level of detail helps in making informed decisions about space allocation and can also provide insights into potential hot-desking or shared workspace arrangements.

Leveraging AI for Enhanced Accuracy and Efficiency

Advancements in AI and other technologies have significantly improved the accuracy of data collection and analysis. Furthermore, these systems can be deployed and operational within as little as three weeks, providing actionable insights just in time for periods of increased space usage, such as the Fall season. The rate of technology and improvements to AI are happening so quickly that whatever you experienced a year ago is radically different a year later.

Conclusion

Incorporating Wi-Fi data with traditional sensor data not only enhances the accuracy and comprehensiveness of space usage analysis but also offers a more holistic view of employee mobility and behavior. By embracing this integrated approach, organizations can make better-informed decisions about workspace design, utilization, and management, ultimately leading to more efficient and employee-friendly environments.

#Workplace #Spaceutilization #occupancy