Office furniture maker Steelcase plans to embed sensors in the workplace to analyze real estate utilization and optimize space to improve productivity.
The move, enabled by Microsoft’s Azure Internet of things platform, is another example of digital transformation and how multiple sectors are becoming technology-enabled. Steelcase is aiming to transition from an office product company to one centered around workplace productivity.
Steelcase’s move–the launch of two software platforms Workplace Advisor and Personal Assistant–also highlights the emerging smart office trends. Enterprises are likely to turn their attention to upgrading office technology now that they’ve revamped various spaces with open floor plans, collaborative areas and huddle rooms.
Steelcase collaborated on the workplace IoT network and analytics tools with Microsoft. The software giant is also using the Steelcase-Microsoft platform to better utilize and analyze its Redmond campus, which has 160 buildings and 500 acres.
Sam George, director of Microsoft Azure IoT, said the Steelcase effort will provide enterprises with a baseline to know what workplace productivity looks like. From there, companies can use data science to redesign workspaces and cater to various work styles.
