With new levels of connectivity, and the rise of the Internet of Things, people expect to be online 24/7. They want to access what they need, when they need it, with services tailored to suit them. The same applies to offices where people expect more from advanced technology in the workplace.
Leading the charge in smart building technology is connected LED lighting. And while most people are familiar with the energy savings and lower maintenance costs afforded by switching to LED, few really appreciate the role lighting can play in increasing the operational efficiency of their business and comfort, productivity and wellbeing of their workers.
Consultancy firm Deloitte has been at the forefront of adopting smart office technology. It’s Dutch headquarters, ‘The Edge’ in Amsterdam, is dubbed the most intelligent and sustainable office in the world. Its connected lighting system, from Signify, was instrumental in creating a more comfortable, productive and sustainable environment for its employees. Taking a leaf from the book of their Dutch colleagues, Deloitte Digital has now equipped its office in Milan with similar technology – becoming the first office in Italy to use our flagship Interact Office lighting system. In this instance, some 250 office luminaires are connected to and powered by the building’s computer cabling (Power over Ethernet network). This does two things. Firstly, it standardizes wiring and eliminates the need for separate electrical wiring to power the lights. Secondly, it makes it easy for the lighting to be integrated into the building’s IT network.
Of course, the company expects to reap 50-70% energy savings and lower maintenance costs by switching to new energy efficient smart lighting. The long-lasting connected lights automatically dim during the day depending on outside light levels and switch off when people leave meeting rooms. They also send data on their performance and energy use to the building’s facility manager. But energy savings are only a part of the Deloitte Digital story.