What Are Smart Office Solutions?Indoor Collaboration Meets Smart Building Technology [Smart Office Technology]
In industry circles, the discussions around adopting smart office solutions predominantly focus on two aspects – technologies which can automate processes related to lighting management, energy usage & statistics, HVAC infrastructure management, and common spaces (conference/meeting rooms, pantry area, sick bays etc.) usage, which are collectively known as ‘smart building technology’ and two, on workforce collaboration tools designed to enhance productivity while keeping staff notified on latest developments at the office. While they seem most relevant, these smart office technologies are not dynamic. These are needed by today’s offices, of course, especially by large ones. However, for tomorrow’s offices, infrastructure & operations managers need to look at emerging technologies which are truly smart. The need is to look at real-time technologies which combine flexible hardware with a user-friendly application interface. For that, we need to look beyond tech that guarantees isolated management of devices and bring into the picture a robust, dynamic tech which integrates varied processes into one comprehensive unit Simply put, smart office technology is the combination of smart buildings and workforce communication tools. Smart Office Technology Popular notions about smart office technology look at solutions aimed at cutting through redundancies generated from lighting, security systems or the HVAC infrastructure. Market analysis & projection firm Market Insights Reports’ latest release focusing on the global smart office market scenario from 2020-25 looks at these aspects as well. However, emerging technologies for deft management of office spaces, especially large ones, includes management of both hot and cold, movable and immovable assets located within the facility. While lighting, HVAC, tables & chairs, paper printers, conference rooms, telecommunication devices can be considered ‘cold’ assets as they do not move frequently within the building. In contrast, the workforce, products, stationery & pantry ware can be considered ‘hot’ assets as their movements are more frequent. Sensor Based Smart Office Solutions… And Beyond Research in the area of smart office solutions indicates that smart device based applications can control various aspects of the office environment. Use of appropriate hardware in combination with a user-friendly interface is the solution – sensors can be used for hardware for this office control system. Aspects of the office environment include: Temperature & Lighting Control Conference/Meeting Room Attendance & Usage Statistics Top-Down Communication In addition to sensors, beacons or RFID can also be used as hardware to tag assets and track them in real-time in an office space. While there are hardware options which aid ‘smart’ management of the office, the choices for a software or APK are limited. You either get an application-based system for regulating few of the issues related to temperature, lighting & usage, or gather historical data through CCTV footage. What is needed is an interactive indoor collaboration app for office spaces which can give you data points from a 360-degree office management perspective, in real-time. A really ‘smart’ office solution should aid office management in: Real-time Asset Tracking Hoteling & Reservation Decentralized, Instant Communication for Events Location-based Services for Positioning & Navigation Geofencing Smart Office