Feature: Embedded Design
Every person counts
in 2025. For example, a KPMG survey found 83 per cent of CEOs expect a full return to offi ce in the next three years. While some organisations have already
adopted strict in-offi ce policies, others are experimenting with hybrid models. Regardless of approach, one common challenge remains ensuring offi ce spaces are utilised effi ciently, safely and cost- eff ectively. One solution is occupancy and people
By Claire Robinson, Sales Director at IAconnect
T
he news is littered with stories of big-name employers U-turning on remote work, from JPMorgan to Manchester United. It’s one thing
mandating a return to the offi ce, but unless businesses understand how their buildings are being used, they risk high operational costs and noncompliance with capacity regulations. Last year, many large companies
announced strict return-to-offi ce policies, and we’ll likely see more fi rms ending their remote and hybrid working arrangements
16 May 2025
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
counting. T is involves measuring the number of individuals entering and exiting a specifi c area using advanced sensors and analytics. T is technology provides accurate, real-time data on foot traffi c and occupancy levels in facilities ranging from retail stores to offi ces and public buildings.
Out with the old Traditionally, occupancy tracking was manual. We all have vivid images of the dreaded clock-in cards, sign-in sheets and headcounts. These are all prone to human error, relying on outdated data and often lacking real-time visibility. What’s more, the technology that did exist was highly fl awed. For example, legacy motion sensors struggled to diff erentiate between multiple people in the same area or detect stationary individuals. Today, more solutions include IoT sensors that use thermal, passive
infrared (PIR), ultrasonic and LiDAR radar to detect movement and count people. Other options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth tracking, which uses mobile devices to detect occupancy trends without requiring manual check- ins, and turnstiles and badge systems for access-restricted areas.
The benefits of monitoring Often, businesses treat occupancy tracking as an afterthought when it should be central to their strategic planning. Effective monitoring can help them optimise space utilisation, reduce costs and enhance the overall employee experience. By tracking how office spaces are used, businesses can ensure that workstations, meeting rooms and common areas are allocated efficiently. This prevents overcrowding while avoiding waste in utilised areas – heating, air conditioning and the like. Understandably, some staff may
feel that monitoring is over-policing. Therefore, it’s important to reassure staff of the technology’s purpose and privacy-protecting measures, such as collecting data anonymously and not capturing personal details. With many companies reconsidering
their office footprints, monitoring provides the data needed to make
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