People counting system used to manage spaces

The optimal technology available at Foot Analytics allows users to take advantage of an efficient people counting system in the management of corporate spaces.

This service is becoming increasingly more popular, especially as the implementation of the hybrid work model gains momentum. Despite the many advantages it offers, the hybrid model has also led to greater variability and less predictability when it comes to the occupancy of corporate spaces.

Therefore, more and more companies are asking for people counting systems. They are also demanding a greater deal of quality to be attached to them which the evolution of technology is helping to facilitate.

Considerations about people counting systems

People counting systems are not recent innovations. They have been on the market for many years.

However, new technology has brought to light the difference between the available solutions, as well as the limitations they present.

The people counting systems available range from access data (Badge Data) to more granular systems such as IoT sensors and cameras, Bluetooth beacon systems or even hardware-free models such as Wi-Fi tracking, which provide user traceability as well as presence.

Types of people counting systems

Below is an overview of the types of people counting systems, their main characteristics and their limitations of use:

Badge Data

The various developments of Badge Data characteristically offer input data to the office, but often no output data.

This means that the system does not provide information about the existing occupancy, but only about the accumulated entries to the building. Therefore, there is no visibility of movement within the building.

Sensors

Nowadays, we have a wide range of sensors to analyse and monitor all kinds of factors, including people within the same space.

However, it must be taken into account that deploying sensors throughout an office requires, on the one hand, the installation of each one of them and, on the other hand, the use of a large number of units, especially if the space to be managed is large (for example, if ‘PIR type’ desktop sensors are used).

Cameras

As with sensors, cameras have also evolved considerably and offer an efficient, accurate and space-efficient service.

This is one of their major advantages. A single camera can cover up to 10 workstations at the same time.

However, there are two major disadvantages. The first is the high cost compared to more affordable alternatives.

The second is the sensation of a lack of privacy that the cameras can create for some employees.

Beacons

Beacons are sensors that detect the presence of mobile devices (via Bluetooth). They are very accurate and provide highly useful information. However, their range is very limited, which means they require a high density of sensors and an app to be downloaded to the user's mobile phone.

Wi-Fi Tracking

This technology provides an effective people counting system that can be deployed quickly and without investment. However, it is important to consider the fact that its success will depend on the devices in a corporate space being connected.

How Foot Analytics helps you manage corporate spaces

At Foot Analytics we have been offering services related to occupancy and people behaviour analysis for more than 10 years, through solutions such as device signalling in Wi-Fi networks.

Rather than limiting our strategy to a single solution, we integrate data from multiple sources. This gives us a comprehensive view of all the metrics available in the building.

With this service, we measure the presence and behaviour of users, providing such important information as how many people are there and how they use the space.

Thanks to our KPI's like the Scaling Factor, space saturation, real-time occupancy and usage predictions, we can gain a better understanding of the ideal way to optimise a building's efficiency, improve the employee experience and ultimately operate the property in a more sustainable way.

In addition, as sensor technology is not required, the limits presented by other systems can be overcome by connecting to the Wi-Fi network that is already in place (we are partners with Cisco, Aruba and Meraki).

Thanks to these advantages, we can connect to a building in just a few minutes in an efficient, comfortable and secure way that is also fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulations.

The best way to discover the advantages of Foot Analytics is to try a demo in the building you are interested in managing. Contact us to book your trial now or request any further information.