4 Ways iBeacons and Sensors Can Optimize Your Workplace
Workplace leaders are like lawyers. They gather as much information from as many reliable sources as they can, evaluate the situation and then make their case based on the data.
If you’re already using an integrated workforce management system (IWMS), consider it your eyewitness testimony. But to make your case a slam dunk, you’ll need phone records and fingerprints — or, in this case, iBeacons and sensors.
Incorporating sensors into your IWMS gives you advanced data collection capabilities, empowering you to make the best choices — especially time-sensitive ones.
Before we discuss the benefits of iBeacons and IoT sensors, here is a quick definition of each:
- iBeacons use Bluetooth technology to capture data on an individual level using mobile devices.
- IoT sensors track the utilization and occupancy of workspaces and trigger actions based on changes in the environment. Sensors can also be used to monitor workplace asset performance.
Both iBeacons and sensors can transfer real-time data to the IWMS, which is then accessible to the facilities team.
Read on to learn four ways iBeacons and sensors can help you optimize your workplace.
1. Manage Space Efficiency
The data captured by iBeacons and sensors gives you and your facilities management (FM) team valuable insight into employee work patterns. The facilities team can learn which areas of the office employees tend to use the most as well as which spaces are underutilized. This enables them to make more effective space management decisions and ensure they’re maximizing the workspace.
2. Improve Service Scheduling
Determining the least disruptive time to schedule services or make facility upgrades is a challenge for any workplace leader. However, with a steady flow of real-time data from iBeacons and sensors to an IWMS, you can determine the best times of day and days of the week to schedule service. He or she will know when certain workspace areas tend to be underused or when scheduling maintenance would be too inconvenient.
If a high-priority service request comes in and you need to dispatch a tech immediately, you can use iBeacons to identify which tech is closer and send them to the location. Plus, iBeacons help you avoid dispatching multiple techs to respond to the same service call.
3. Receive Automatic Asset Alerts
Sensors can be integrated with industrial equipment such as HVAC units and communicate real-time performance data to the organization’s IWMS. If the sensor determines an asset is malfunctioning or producing readings exceeding a predetermined threshold, a service ticket will be automatically created. This allows the facilities team to proactively repair an asset before it fails completely — saving time and money.
4. Design Better Workspaces
Because sensors allow the FM team to identify the types of spaces favored by the workforce, they can also leverage this data to create a workplace that gives employees the chance to be comfortable, feel more at-ease and, in turn, improve their engagement and productivity.
Taking the time to analyze the work habits of your employees and understand how, where and in what conditions they work best can give you information to create a workspace where everyone thrives.
As a workplace leader, effectively managing your workforce and workspace requires extensive insight into space utilization and employee work patterns. While your IWMS can provide adequate data, combining it with iBeacons and sensors can give you additional visibility to make the best decisions for your facility. To take full advantage of your IWMS’ capabilities and optimize your workplace, invest in iBeacons and sensors.To learn about even more technology to use at your workplace, check out The Workplace Leader’s Playbook for New Technology.
