In recent years, the concept of a ‘smart office’ has exploded in popularity in recent years, with plenty of exciting and innovative technological advancements. Essentially, the term ‘smart office’ refers to incorporating IoT and AI into traditional workplace environments. This smart technology provides businesses with the ability to enhance productivity, optimize resource usage, and lower operational costs while enjoying the novelty and convenience of futuristic gadgets and devices. In a nutshell, smart office technology is revolutionizing the way we work and do business.
Here are some key smart office technologies to look out for.
Let There Be (Smart) Light!
In addition to reducing energy costs, smart lighting solutions can greatly enhance workplace comfort for staff, both of which can have a direct impact on productivity.
Sensors in smart lighting systems allow for lighting to be modified in response to the natural light available. Research tells us that getting more sun during the day can boost happiness, improve sleep, and improve general health, so the less overwhelmed we are with artificial lighting, the better. The color temperature of the lights can also be adjusted by smart lighting systems to promote wakefulness, focus, and productivity.
According to the Harvard Business Review, over a third of office workers typically express that their work environment lacks natural lighting, and the implementation of intelligent lighting systems can help address this issue.
Smart Security for a Smarter Business
Any company worth its salt will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its staff and premises. Smart security utilizes advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), to create a safer workplace that can also have it running like clockwork on the efficiency-front. A professional commercial physical security system installer knows how to leverage smart technologies, such as predictive analytics and real-time monitoring, to help prevent security breaches and streamline operations, so call in the experts to ensure you keep your business as safe as it can be.
According to Verified Market Research, the global market for commercial security systems will increase from $195 billion in 2020 to just over $376 billion by 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.54 %. As remote and hybrid working models converge with cutting-edge technologies, the demand for smart security tech is vast.
Virtual PAs – Your Own Personal Siri
Despite being around for a good stretch already, the use of Virtual Personal Assistants (VPAs) in the workplace is still in its relative infancy. Meetings, travel arrangements, and other administrative chores are just the beginning of what virtual assistants can help to organize.
According to Statista, an estimated (and unfathomable) eight billion digital voice assistants will be utilized globally by 2024. VPAs are getting better and better as the application of AI and machine learning grows, and are anticipated to become a staple workplace feature in the very near future.
Even the Air Is Getting Smarter
Who can function at their best in stifling, stuffy heat or teeth-chattering chilliness? One of the key aspects of an optimal workplace environment is its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and investing in an efficient system can have a massive impact on both energy costs and employee comfort. Smart HVAC systems feature sophisticated sensors that can (impressively) take into account the time of day, the number of people in the room, and even the weather outside to provide optimal comfort. Energy consumption data in real time is just one more way that smart HVAC systems may help businesses save money.
The global market for smart building technology is projected to soar from a mere $50 billion in 2018 to $109 billion by 2026, so it’s fairly safe to say that smart office design is no sweeping fad.
From Ink to Interactivity: Smart Whiteboards and Display Technologies
Another smart office technology well worth a mention is the use of (Star Trek-esque) smart whiteboards or interactive displays. Traditional whiteboards and flip charts have long been useful tools for brainstorming and collaborative communication, but their humble designs do have some limitations.
Smart whiteboards, on the other hand, use touchscreen technology to support dynamic, interactive collaboration and communication. With features such as digital note-taking, easy content sharing, and remote access, these clever whiteboards allow teams to work together seamlessly, even when they aren’t in the same physical space. This technology can also help to enhance engagement during meetings, presentations, and training sessions, given its novel, hyper-convenient, efficient contrast to the good ole’ whiteboard (seems like only yesterday they were the new kid on the block taking over blackboards and chalk – how time flies).
Stay ahead of the game
Smart office technology is always developing, and firms that don’t put their techy socks up will soon be perceived as akin to living in the Stone Age. As time goes on, companies must ensure they are leveraging the most up-to-date smart office solutions out there – the investment will cost a pretty penny, but the productivity gains are far too solid to ignore.
Smart office technology is an investment that will (almost inevitably) boost productivity and morale in the workplace, as well as cut expenses in the longer-term and increase efficiency across the enterprise. Organizations that put their money where their mouth is when it comes to investing in cutting-edge office tech solutions position themselves well for success and future-proofing. The smart workplace space is already a fascinating one, and with tech advancements emerging thick and fast, it’s only set becoming more so – the trick is in keeping up.
Also Read: Internut: Developing Creative Digital Solutions With Cutting-edge Technologies