Smart Spaces & IoT
Buildings full of IoT sensors can tell you everything happening inside them if you know how to listen. The right data platform turns real-time sensor information into actionable insight that drives space optimisation, energy reduction and sustainability outcomes.
Why it matters
Most organisations have invested significantly in buildings. Real estate is expensive and you need to get value from it. Yet most don’t know how their buildings are actually being used. Is a meeting room empty most of the time? What areas are most crowded? Is the HVAC consuming energy when no one is present? Are there maintenance issues that need attention? Most organisations don’t have answers because they don’t have the data.
At the same time, building management is fragmented across different teams. Facilities manage HVAC and energy. Real estate manages space allocation. Security manages access. IT manages networks and devices. No one has a complete picture of what’s happening in the building or how all these systems interact. That fragmentation leads to inefficiency. Space isn’t allocated to where it’s needed most. Energy is consumed in empty areas. Maintenance issues go unnoticed until they become expensive problems. Smart Spaces change that through continuous sensor data collection, a data platform that ingests all that information, and automated responses that optimise buildings for cost, sustainability and user experience.
How it works
Step 1
Building walk-through and use case definition
We start by understanding your buildings and your priorities. What areas are most important to monitor? What outcomes matter most cost reduction, space optimisation, sustainability, safety? We walk through your buildings with your facilities and real estate teams. We identify where sensors would be most valuable and understand your constraints.
Step 2
Sensor and network design
Based on that understanding, we design a sensor and network infrastructure. Which types of sensors in which locations? What network connectivity (Wi-Fi, cellular, wired) makes sense for different areas? How do we integrate with your existing building systems (HVAC, lighting, access control)? We create a phased plan so you don’t deploy everything at once.
Step 3
Pilot implementation
We start with a small area, a floor, a building section or a specific use case. We deploy the sensors, integrate them with the data platform and validate that the setup works. We gather data for a few weeks and show you what insights you can gain. This pilot gives you confidence before expanding.
Step 4
Full deployment and integration
Based on the pilot, we expand to the full scope. We deploy sensors across your buildings. We integrate with your existing systems so automation works. We train your teams on the data platform. We establish baseline measurements so you can track improvement over time.
Step 5
Ongoing insight and optimisation
Once the system is live, we provide ongoing support and optimisation. We monitor sensor health. We help you interpret the data and identify optimisation opportunities. As your priorities change, we adjust the sensors and analytics to serve those priorities.
Partners
We work with leading providers of IoT sensors, platforms and integrations to deliver Smart Spaces solutions tailored to your building type and priorities.
Cisco’s wireless and IoT platforms provide the network foundation for sensors. Cisco DNA Center and network analytics provide visibility into IoT device health and network behaviour. Cisco’s broader platform includes partners for specific sensor types and data platforms.
HP switching and wireless infrastructure supports IoT deployments. HP’s network management tools integrate with sensor data platforms to provide full visibility across your connected environment.
Awards and accreditations
Our partnerships and technical expertise across sensor networks, data platforms and building systems integration enable us to deliver Smart Spaces solutions aligned to your organisation’s needs.
Recognises our expertise in Cisco’s wireless and IoT platforms. We can design IoT networks without vendor bottlenecks and integrate with Cisco’s analytics and visibility tools.
Smart Spaces start with understanding what’s currently happening in your buildings
If you’re trying to optimise real estate costs, reduce energy consumption or build better visibility into building operations, sensor data provides the foundation. The investment often pays back within 12-18 months through space and energy cost reduction. Start by identifying your top priority: cost reduction, sustainability, space optimisation or operational safety. The sensors and analytics you deploy will differ depending on what matters most.
FAQs
What types of sensors are typically deployed in smart spaces?
It depends on your priorities. For space optimisation, occupancy sensors and real-time location services. For energy management, power consumption sensors on circuits and equipment. For environmental health, air quality, temperature, humidity, sound monitoring. For security and safety, CCTV and access control integration. Most organisations start with occupancy and energy, then expand to other sensor types as use cases become clear.
How long does it take to see return on investment from a smart spaces investment?
Depends on your organisation and priorities. If you’re focused on energy cost reduction, ROI typically happens within 12-18 months through reduced consumption. If you’re focused on real estate optimisation, ROI can be faster; identifying space to reclaim or consolidate can generate savings immediately. Most organisations see some ROI within the first year.
What happens to the data collected by sensors?
The data stays with you. You own the sensor data. It’s stored in your data platform or integrated with your existing systems. We’re not using your data for anything other than providing you visibility and automated actions you’ve configured. If you eventually decide to discontinue the service, your historical data is yours to keep.
How do you ensure privacy when deploying occupancy and location sensors?
Privacy is built in. Occupancy sensors count people but don’t identify them. RTLS tracks equipment and assets, not individuals (unless specifically configured for a safety or security use case). Video analytics can be configured to count people without storing faces. We work with your privacy and security teams to ensure deployment meets your policy requirements.
Can smart spaces integrate with our existing building systems?
Usually yes. If you have a building management system (BMS) that controls HVAC and lighting, we can integrate with it so sensors drive automated adjustments. If you have access control systems, we can integrate with those for occupancy feeds. We don’t require you to replace existing systems. Instead, we add sensors and a data platform that works alongside what you have.