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Get Smart About Your Real Estate Portfolio (And Stop Wasting Space)

How to evaluate occupancy sensors to measure your building.

Let's face it: workplaces have been under-measured for way too long. It's not for lack of trying, though. For years, clever workplace and real estate leaders have been MacGyvering data sources to understand their spaces. They've counted cars in parking lots, analyzed badge swipes, and tapped into WiFi data. But not all measurement methods are created equal.

The clipboard conundrum

Take the classic time utilization study, where people with clipboards wander around for a week counting occupancy. Human observation is unparalleled for insights into behavior and interaction. A sensor can only dream of that level of nuance.

But here's where it gets nuts: some of the best companies in the world are basing million-dollar decisions on a dude with a clipboard. You wouldn't use a time utilization study for quantitative metrics like occupancy, right? ...Right?

This mishmash of misused data sources has left us with a world we understand less well. And it comes with a hefty price tag. Last year, the average U.S. office had a peak utilization rate of just 27%. Scale that up, and you're looking at $1 trillion of office space sitting empty. Oh, and let's not forget that 39% of global CO2 emissions come from buildings. So yeah, this impacts our environment too.

Enter the occupancy sensor

Occupancy sensor devices can track how spaces are actually used. They count people in real time and help you make smarter, money-saving decisions about your buildings.

Measuring utilization for space planning is the bread and butter of occupancy sensors. But why stop there? Here are some other ways your building can use occupancy data:

• Show real-time availability of meeting spaces and amenities to employees.
• Adjust staff or resources based on number of visitors to your hospitality spaces.
• Save costs by adjusting cleaning schedules to real-life usage.
• See which space types people prefer, and align design with demand.
• Measure the number of people to adjust ventilation.

So, think strategically first, then get into the nitty-gritty of sensor selection.

What you should consider when looking at sensor solutions

Sensors generally come in two flavors, each with its own pros and cons: wired sensors and

battery-powered sensors.

Wire Sensors

Pros:

• High accuracy - Because they’re connected to a power source wired sensors can capture multiple frames of data per second with low latency.
• High reliability - No concerns about inconsistent performance due to depleted batteries.
• Real-time - Wired sensors can provide real-time data to see live space availability.
• Low maintenance - Very little maintenance required after initial installation.
• Greater field of view - This means fewer sensors to cover the same space.

Cons:

• Higher cost of installation - Incur cost of installation and cabling upfront.
• Longer time to install - Deployments require coordination and can take longer, but result in minimal maintenance.

Battery-Powered Sensors

Pros:

• Easier installation - With peel-and-stick set-up.
• Good for temporary studies - Can be a faster way to get some directional data gathering, but comes with the tradeoff of less accuracy.

Cons:

• Requires battery replacement - Batteries can deplete every 9-18 months, which can cost thousands for a large installation, plus time spent on maintenance. Large installations may require thousands of battery replacements over the life of the system, with corresponding maintenance tickets filed.
• Smaller field of view - Roughly 40% less coverage per sensor than leading wired sensors.
• Requires hub installation - They need a wired hub to be within visual distance of sensors, which negates some of the benefits of the easy installation.
• Not real-time - Not good for real-time data for live availability, given battery constraints.

Factors that drive cost in sensor solutions

When you're considering a purchase, look beyond the price tag on the sensor. Consider:

• Hardware costs - Beyond just the cost of an individual sensor, you should consider the field of view. A larger field of view means fewer sensors to cover the same space.
• Software fees - Make sure you’re thinking about the cost of accessing the software or API licenses that let your team get the value they’re looking for from the sensors.
• Installation costs - Wiring costs more upfront but can be smarter in the long run. It allows for better latency and less maintenance. Battery systems have fewer upfront costs but still need some wiring for hubs.
• Ongoing maintenance and operational costs - This is where the rubber meets the road. Seemingly small things like battery replacements can add up fast when you're talking about a whole building (or ten).

A word about privacy

Now, let's tackle the elephant in the room: privacy.

60% of employees are against workplace cameras, and who can blame them?

The good news is that privacy is not an unavoidable cost if you want to know what’s happening in your spaces. Radar occupancy sensors like Density are anonymous by design – no cameras, ever.

So, what does this privacy-preserving technology mean for your buildings? A lot, actually.

• Employee buy-in: When your team knows their privacy is protected, they're more likely to embrace the new tech. No more whispers about "Big Brother" by the water cooler.
• Future-proofing: As privacy laws evolve (and they will), you're already ahead of the game. No scrambling to update systems or facing fines.
• Data you can trust: Anonymous data can actually be more reliable. People act naturally when they're not worried about being watched or identified.
• Scalability: With privacy concerns addressed from the get-go, you can roll out your smart office tech far and wide without hitting snags.

The bottom line

In a world where every square foot counts (and costs), flying blind isn't just inefficient – it's

expensive. Smart measurement isn't a nice-to-have anymore; it's a necessity.

So, start with your goals, pick the right tools for the job, and get ready to transform your real

estate portfolio into a strategic goldmine. Your CFO will thank you, your employees will thank you, and hey, the planet might even thank you too.

Now go forth and measure smartly. Your office space is counting on you.

Want to learn more about the Surprising Math Behind Sensor Solutions? Save your spot in the webinar on 10/22 at 11am PT / 2pm ET.

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