“LoRaWan™ connectivity enables occupancy data to be collected anonymously”
The health crisis has led many companies to sign framework agreements on remote working. Many employees, depending on their industry, role and corporate culture, can now work from home for part of the week. This new situation implies great changes in terms of management styles, team collaboration and inevitably the use of office space. There is now less individual space and more collaborative space for working together. However, it is still far too early to draw conclusions about employees’ needs.
What should be done with the unoccupied space left by employees who work from home? How can we help “flex-office” employees, who no longer have a fixed office, to quickly find the space they need for their work?
In order to tailor workspace supply to demand, the IoT (Internet of Things) can be a very useful building block in providing objective and reliable occupancy data.
To support employees as they navigate these new ways of working, the start-up Jooxter has been developing an IoT solution for seven years that makes it possible to inform employees about workspace availability. How does it work?
“It’s very simple. A real-time presence detector is set up in the room to be monitored. This very fine-grained infrared and therefore very sensitive occupancy sensor is able to detect the slightest movement, indicating whether the room is occupied or not,” explains François Cosyns, Project Leader at Jooxter.
Anonymous Data Thanks to the LoRaWan™ Network
Users simply log in to the application or web portal to find an available space available that meets their needs, i.e. a closed office, a meeting room or a collaborative space. The dashboard is updated on a real-time and predictive basis thanks to the information sent by the detectors. In terms of connectivity, Jooxter has chosen Orange’s LoRaWan™ network, designed specifically for the Internet of Things.
“This connectivity offers a clear benefit: As well as its wide coverage, it makes it possible to collect occupancy data anonymously. As such, we remain independent from the building’s proprietary network,” explains François Cosyns. “And thanks to Orange’s Live Objects platform, we can manage our fleet of devices independently and with complete security, Orange provides us with its convenience and expertise. This really is a collaborative effort.”
Reducing Energy Spending
For more complex cases, when network penetration is not optimal, as may be the case with an old building, a high environmental quality (HQE) building or a high-rise building, which may even block radio waves, Orange offers a LoRa extender. This makes it easier to provide indoor coverage for offices.
In addition to optimizing space, Jooxter’s services have different uses depending on the businesses’ peaks in activity. For example, during off-peak periods, certain meeting rooms could be closed to reduce the need for cleaning services and to cut energy spending by avoiding any unnecessary use of heating or air-conditioning. The IoT facilitates responsible energy management in buildings.
Update: October 28, 2021
