Technology already impacts every aspect of our working lives, from email and workplace platforms to printers and coffee makers! With smart tech already on the rise in our homes, now is a great time to utilize smart technology at the office to help us work more comfortably and efficiently.
IoT-Enabled Environmental Monitoring
You can utilize Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor and optimize your office conditions such as temperature, humidity, and air quality. This helps to create a better working environment and can be tailored to individual preferences of workers or seasonal variations to avoid the dreaded office that’s freezing in winter and boiling in summer! Automated monitoring and regulating of heating and lighting in your office space can also help you save on overheads, which is better for the company’s finances and for the environment too!
Smart Lighting
Implementing smart lighting systems allows for automated control of lighting based on occupancy and natural light levels that may fluctuate day-to-day or across seasons. This not only saves energy but also creates a more comfortable and productive work environment and can help to prevent Digital Eye Strain or Computer Vision Syndrome.
Smart HVAC Control
Another aspect of environmental monitoring is the integration of smart HVAC systems that can adjust temperature and airflow based on occupancy and usage patterns. This prevents the overheating or air-conditioning of empty or sparsely-populated office spaces during quiet periods or out of usual working hours.
Smart Conferencing Systems
As a result of the pandemic, even the most technophobic among us have become familiar with the idea of video conferencing, and this software is now routinely used for remote work. Meetings can now be held with employees, partners, contractors and clients across multiple locations and time zones with ease. Smart tech can also help in-person meetings run more smoothly, for example, instead of relying on a flip chart or a whiteboard and pen when giving presentations or holding brainstorming sessions you can invest in a projector and screen from a quality supplier like RS Americas, which gives workers the ability to present wirelessly using laptop or tablet or even phones.
Smart Access Control and Security
Smart access control is about remotely controlling who can access both physical and virtual spaces, whether that’s an office building, meeting room or a database. Cloud-based systems allow managers and security personnel to easily review and grant access requests and to automate processes for better efficiency. For example, specific employees can be granted access to physical spaces via their phone rather than needing to carry keys or fobs or memorize access codes. Likewise, visitor management can be integrated with desk and room booking software to automatically grant access as appropriate. This frees up personnel to focus on their day-to-day tasks and streamlines processes for a better working experience. Utilizing smart tech in this way can also improve security as it doesn’t rely on keys, fobs or swipe cards that can easily be lost, cloned or stolen, and allows security staff to easily monitor and identify where employees are working, which can also improve safety in the event of an emergency.
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