Solutions to ensure the most efficient use of space in office buildings have been available for many years, but with the advent of big data, the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning, platforms have evolved to support more accurate real-time insights, revealing previously hidden patterns into the actual use of space.

Workplace analytics solutions are defined as those solutions that map the utilisation of spaces (buildings, floors, individual workstations or meeting rooms) to develop a comprehensive spatial database of the indoor environment.

With office densification rates increasing in 2017 across the world, combined with evidence of poor space utilization and the expectations of occupants for more human and productive environments, the need for workspace management platforms to provide better insight into the repurposing of current workplaces has never been so urgent.

While business must be able to consolidate and contract space efficiently, they are increasingly faced with the need to create more human and productive work environments, as the office becomes a significant tool for talent attraction and performance enhancement.

The balance between space reduction and occupants’ desire for more desk and shared space is tricky. Finding the tipping point when density and the lack of space becomes a hindrance to people getting their work done is becoming increasingly important for workplace design.

A real-time view can help building occupants to better use space on a day-to-day basis, while more granular workspace analytics data can help real estate professionals and building managers to make better decisions around long-term space requirements. Offices that take a data-driven approach will realize an increase in rents and occupancy levels and attract more long-term tenants.

A range of workspace management solutions, based on diverse technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Connected LED Lighting, Indoor Positioning Systems (IPS), cameras, Building Management Systems (BMS), Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) and Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) platforms, compete with each other. And it can be overwhelming for end users to select the most appropriate for their facility.

Most of the above solutions require investment in hardware, such as IoT sensors, locator tags, 3D stereoscopic cameras or BLE beacons, not to mention LED lighting systems or building management systems.

Locatee’s software only approach to space optimization is based on the rationale that the customer requires no upfront investment in new costly infrastructure. The Locatee Workplace Analytics solution is based on existing IT infrastructure, with LAN and Wi-Fi networks used as primary data sources. All data is anonymized, thereby protecting employee privacy. Other sources can also be integrated into the platform such as existing space repositories, room booking and building IoT data. Locatee further applies patent pending machine learning and indoor positioning algorithms to these data sources, enabling actionable insight to be derived from the platform, taking workspace optimization to the next level.