In the world of tech, it’s not just about the cutting-edge gadgets or the latest software updates; it’s also about the people who make it all happen. Today, we want to shine a spotlight on our Customer Services Squad (CSS) who have been busy traveling across Europe to set up our state-of-the-art occupancy sensors and deploy our GemEx solution to our clients. From the sunny shores of Portugal to the picturesque scenery of Austria and the Viking lands of Sweden, our CS team has been working tirelessly to ensure our workplace experience solution enhances the efficiency of our clients’ operations. We caught up with Arun, one of our dedicated technical support engineers, to take us through his fascinating European installation journey and shares insights into his work.
Lisbon: Sun, Sensors, and Solutions
Q: Arun, let’s start with sunny Lisbon. What was your primary focus during this installation?
Arun: My primary focus was on installing and configuring our presence sensors and air quality sensors throughout the clients building. This involved setting up the sensors to accurately monitor room occupancy and environmental conditions. Following that, I was responsible for installing the gateways that connect these sensors to the central management system. The gateways are crucial as they ensure that the data collected by the sensors is transmitted reliably and efficiently for real-time analysis and decision-making. This process required a careful balance of technical precision and adaptability to the dynamic layout of the space.
Q: What are these smart sensors you mentioned above?
Arun: Presence sensors detect occupancy in spaces, such as desks, meeting rooms and common areas. These sensors provide insight into employee work patterns. Air sensors measure parameters in the air, such as carbon dioxide and humidity. This is valuable data as it can help maintain a healthy and comfortable indoor environment.
Q: Why use these smart sensors?
Arun: These sensors have a vital role in transforming traditional offices into smart environments. There are various key benefits to this.
- Enhanced Efficiency: Occupancy and environmental data can help optimise the use of office spaces, as well as resources. This can result in cost saving through space management and energy consumption. The data is supplied in quantitative data, resulting in informed decisions about space utilisation, maintenance needs and environmental control.
- Improved Well-being: Air sensors ensure a comfortable environment, enhancing health and productivity.
- Sustainability: Efficient energy use, as well as optimal space utilisation, contribute to the goal of sustainability for modern businesses.
Austria: Peaks and Precision
Q: Let’s move on to Vienna, Austria now. What was unique about this installation project?
Arun: The project in Austria was unique due to its focus on pathwalking for indoor positioning systems (IPS). We implemented our technology to ensure accurate location tracking as individuals moved around the floor. This involved deploying advanced sensors that precisely tracked movement and updated the facility’s maps in real-time. The system utilised bluetooth technology, with phones pinging against beacons to enhance location accuracy. For example, if someone needed to find the location of the toilets or a specific room, the app would guide them directly to their destination. The goal was to improve spatial awareness and navigation within the facility, making it easier for users to locate specific areas and resources.
Sweden: Viking Heritage Meets Modern Tech
Q: Can you explain a bit about the installation process in Sweden?
Arun: Sure, so for desk occupancy, sensors are installed underneath the desks. In meeting rooms, presence sensors can be placed under tables, as well as on the walls or ceiling to cover an entry point. The aim is to capture foot traffic and usage patterns. The sensors are mounted using sticky backing, which is strong enough to ensure that the sensors won’t fall whilst also protecting the furniture from damage.
Once the sensors are operational, the next step is integrating them into GemEx. Each sensor is attached to their corresponding point in the digital floorplan within GemEx. The sensor data is then pulled into GemEx, providing users with a comprehensive view of the facility’s environment. This includes real-time information on occupancy, air quality, and other relevant metrics.
Q: What was a key challenge you encountered?
Arun: A key challenge in Sweden was dealing with changes to the layout and furniture of the office building during the installation. These modifications required us to update our sensor placements and ensure that the changes were reflected accurately in the app. We managed to make these adjustments seamlessly, ensuring that the updated layout was accurately represented in the GemEx Engine® Platform and continued to provide effective data for the building’s management.
Q: And finally can you share a memorable moment from all these projects?
Arun: Absolutely! One of the highlights was taking a break to explore Lisbon’s historic neighbourhoods. I had some amazing pastéis de nata and enjoyed wandering through the vibrant streets. In Sweden, I had the opportunity to connect with the local team over lunch. It was wonderful to learn about each other’s cultures and share experiences. It provided a meaningful break from the technical work and made the whole project feel even more rewarding.
The Power of People
Arun’s European tour through Sweden, Austria, and Lisbon showcases the dedication and expertise of our Customer Services team. It not only highlights the technical prowess required for such installations but also the personal experiences that make these projects memorable and their ability to adapt to diverse environments and tackle complex challenges ensures that our clients receive the highest level of service and support.
The efforts of our Customer Services Squad underscore the vital role that people play in the tech industry. While our state-of-the-art GemEx solution is designed to deliver exceptional performance, it’s the dedication and skill of our team members that truly bring these technologies to life. Their ability to adapt to diverse environments and tackle complex challenges ensures that our clients receive the highest level of service and support.
We thank Arun for sharing his experiences and look forward to many more successful projects and stories from our Customer Services Squad.
