Space utilisation is a key challenge for facility and building managers, with studies showing most offices are underutilised due to factors such as shifting work schedules, mobile technology usage and changing business needs.
Honeywell has introduced the Honeywell Vector Space Sense, which shows when, where and how building spaces can be used at any given time. Honeywell Vector Space Sense is a software solution which gives comprehensive insights so that building operations teams can make informed space usage decisions, and potentially promote better experiences for a space’s occupants.
“From higher levels of employee productivity to healthier environments that help drive cost savings, Connected Buildings have real benefits for owners, operators and occupants,” said Vimal Kapur, President and Chief Executive Officer, of Honeywell Building Technologies.
“Honeywell Vector Space Sense uses cutting-edge technology to enable smarter, data-driven buildings, that work for their organisations.”
A study by Memoori Research has indicated that many offices are underutilised by as much as half of their actual capacity, with many facility managers lacking comprehensive insights to act on this issue. This often results in overpaying for unused space, wasted energy usage, off-temperature spaces and other inefficiencies that negatively impact an organisation’s bottom line.
Honeywell Vector Space Sense is currently in operation at London Health Sciences Centre an Ontario-based hospital network which used the Honeywell technology to ‘better understand the use of its clinical and office spaces, following complaints of overcrowding and office expansion requests.’
“Hospitals are complex systems, and not only are the operational costs high, so are the stakes. There’s no room for error when it comes to using your space most effectively,” said Derek Lall, director of facilities management, London Health Sciences Centre.
“As a regional hospital, we must strike a balance between efficiency and comfort to ensure we are delivering the best care possible, and get the most out of available resources. Honeywell Vector Space Sense provides a level of insight all in one place that we’d otherwise have no way of obtaining.”
The product’s software, which is backed by a cloud-based infrastructure, follows a three-step process:
- gathering space utilisation data from multiple sources such as smart lights Bluetooth beacons, mobile apps, and other sensor-connected devices and equipment
- applying analytics to that data
- then using customised algorithms and space utilisation models to deliver actionable insights to consumers
“Expenses associated with unused building spaces often go unnoticed, simply because it is so difficult to get an accurate, moment-by-moment view into how building spaces are used, or if they’re being used at all,” said John Rajchert, president, Building Solutions, Honeywell Building Technologies.
Honeywell Vector Space Sense takes ‘the mystery out of space usage’ through real-time, IoT-enabled insights which are designed to give organisations a real picture of where and how people are using those spaces, so they can be used in the most efficient manner possible.
More information can be found at www.honeywell.com