se:connects − good connections are everything

Where fixed workspaces and rigid structures once dominated office landscapes, today more and more companies are enjoying the advantages of smart working. The freedom to work from any workspace you choose, depending on the task and your personal preferences, also changes the way we work. This in turn has a substantial influence on worker efficiency and job satisfaction.

Sedus first presented the se:connects system at Orgatec 2016. The concept has now been further developed in collaboration with Kapsch AG and new functions have been added.

The innovative solution is based around a mobile app and intelligent IoT sensor technology and is designed to make it easy to use and manage workspaces in smart working environments.

Employees can use the app on their smartphone or tablet to select an appropriate workspace before they even get to the office. With just a few clicks, they can find the right workspace filtered by location and equipment, or make sure they are close to their colleagues. Bluetooth sensors installed in the chair or desk can identify when a workspace is occupied.

Facility managers receive anonymised but very valuable data that can be leveraged to plan and use available space more efficiently. The system identifies less frequented areas and reveals potential savings based on occupancy. More than that, though, the data on preferences and user acceptance can be incorporated into the office environment design to improve employee satisfaction.

The se:connects system works independently of existing systems and devices, is intuitive to operate simply via smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer, and is the perfect complement to any smart working concept.

A number of useful software interfaces make it easy to connect se:connects to existing systems (building control technology, Exchange/Outlook calendar and room booking) and enable speedy integration into the company’s IT infrastructure.

Front-end app design: Falk Blümler (Sedus Design Team)

Hardware design: Sedus Design Team, Kapsch Design Team