FM:Systems’ Workplace Reopening Tracker Reflects Rising Interest In Real-Time Occupancy Data

FM:Systems’ Workplace Reopening Tracker Reflects Rising Interest In Real-Time Occupancy Data

US-headquartered IWMS vendor FM:Systems recently launched a Workplace Reopening Tracker map that visualizes historic and real-time space utilization trends by country and month. The tracker enables firms to gain insights into how fast organizations in their region are bringing employees back to the workplace. It brings together many sources of information such as sensor data, badge swipe recordings and space bookings across 576 client organizations, representing over 20 million square feet. The data released so far show that offices in China and Germany have higher utilization rates and faster returns to offices than other countries.

The new tool aims to provide corporate heads of real estate with a new window into how their peers are managing workplace re-entry initiatives. Workplace data vendor Measuremen has also launched a similar tool through its Benchmark Product, which shows anonymized space utilization data from its client base. Measuremen has traditionally worked with customers by delivering walk-by occupancy surveys that are done by its workplace management consultants. It is now focusing on offering customers more sensor-based studies, as its clients and prospects are requesting capabilities to capture insights on a remote and continuous basis.

The launch of utilization benchmarking tools also highlights that occupancy insights are now one of the most sought-after products by corporate real estate managers. Such insights can inform critical decisions around how many staff can return to offices and avoid unexpected overcrowding. This demand has been driving a surge of investments in low-cost and easy-to install workplace tools for monitoring space usage. For example, CBRE is installing Density’s sensors in 70 of its US offices. Delhi Airport is installing sensors to calculate social distancing, and Amazon is testing wearable sensors for social distancing alerts and contact tracing.

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