Smart technologies have been on the workplace peripheries for several years now. Intelligent buildings are already starting to steal headlines in architecture and business publications.
Sustainable buildings such as Deloitte’s The Edge and Siemens, The Crystal building in London have shown how companies can reduce their carbon footprint.
Connected technologies that use IoT (Internet of Things) sensors will also be responsible for helping businesses create Covid-safe work environments in the post-pandemic world.
The outbreak of coronavirus will undoubtedly accelerate the adoption of smart technologies in the workplace. People want to feel safe when they return to the office and there are no current solutions other than installing touch-free appliances and cloud-based apps.
Interior office design consultants predict IoT solutions will have a direct impact on how offices are designed in the post-covid workplace. Post pandemic priorities involve proctoring the health and wellbeing of employees, improving air quality and optimising cleaning services.
Organiser Apps
Mobile apps are expected to play an increasing role in the future workplace. Employees will be able to interact with the building using smartphones. It seems as though there will be an app for practically everything.
Existing technologies already enable employees to book workspace, meetings rooms, equipment, order coffee and lunch, find a parking space and even call the elevator directly from their mobile phone.
The adoption of smart technologies will build into the management and organisation of agile office designs that have activity-based work stations.
Today’s employees want more choices over how they work and where they work. The ability to quickly and easily identify appropriate desk space and reserve it in advance will help agile working environments run smoothly.
Touch-Free Everything
Because Covid-19 is transmittable through coming into contact with infected surfaces, touch-free technologies will help to create a sense of safety and security.
An existing solution is to install biometric access controls. However, because these types of technologies record facial dimensions, retinas, fingerprints and palms, they feel intrusive. Many people resist this type of “Big Brother” technology.
The alternative is to install building sensors which can be linked to smartphones via the cloud or integrated into the buildings eco-system.
Sensors provide all kinds of data. They can be used to allow access, operate taps, open doors, control air-ventilation systems, operate drinks machines and hand dryers and even show when a workspace was last cleaned.
Personal devices will act as a control to move around the building and order food and drinks without having to touch any surfaces.
Health and Wellbeing Technologies
Government directives insist companies have to create a post-covid workplace that protects their employees and prevents the spread of the virus.
Smart building systems can collect critical data about the environment and the occupants in real-time. Data will reveal air quality, occupancy levels to control social distancing and take the temperature of employees.
Employees at Deloitte have to wear wrist bands that can track and report cases of Covid-19 on a daily basis.
Wrap Up
It is clear that smart technologies are needed to create Covid-secure work environments but still enable firms to create office designs that foster agile working philosophies. Today’s workers want more autonomy, space, freedom and flexibility. But they also need to stay safe in the post-covid world. Smart technologies and mobile apps provide all these solutions – and the technologies are already available.
