Workspace design strategy isn’t what it used to be. Hybrid work, remote work, and the increased demand for mixed-use

Boston, MA – September 27, 2022 – Armored Things, a leading provider of AI software for smart space planning, today announced the launch of an expanded version of its software platform with new analytics, planning and reporting capabilities. The company also announced it is rebranding as Lambent, to more accurately reflect its broader value proposition and market opportunity.

The move comes as the company continues to extend its business focus from marquee sports venues to also include large college and corporate campuses. Over the last year, clients such as the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Boston Scientific have gained substantial value working with the company to optimize their use of space and inform real estate planning decisions. The new name, Lambent, reflects the company’s ability to help users see their physical spaces in entirely new ways without the need for extensive technology infrastructure investments. 

“Organizations are currently experiencing an unprecedented shift in the way they utilize real estate and  accommodate new modes of occupancy. Yet space planners are still relying on old ways of managing space due to the data gap from existing enterprise systems,” said Lambent CEO Richard Scannell. “Working with our customers, we’ve engineered a way to deliver this  data to inform business leaders and guide space planners through critical decisions. Our new name and platform reflect two years of development to deliver patented technology to help space planners see utilization patterns and fluctuations – not just for buildings, but for entire campuses and portfolios.”

Earlier this month, the company announced the results of new research which highlighted space planners’ struggles managing work and learning spaces in more fluid, hybrid-use environments. Almost all of those surveyed reported a lack of data to understand how different spaces are actually being used and to assist in planning for future uses. 

The enhanced platform, Lambent Spaces, is designed to help space planning professionals see their physical spaces in entirely new ways by surfacing powerful insights for decisions related to utilization, workplace and student experiences, leases, and maintenance. The platform works with existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to get users up and running fast to enable smarter scheduling and leasing decisions while driving reductions in CapEx. Key features and capabilities of the expanded platform include:

• Cloud-enabled analytics – Lambent Spaces replaces manual counters and anecdotal reporting with an always-on AI system that integrates with existing Wi-Fi and occupancy sensors to provide the right resolution in the spaces that matter. Flexible deployment options include cloud and hybrid configurations. 

• A single view of global assets – Users can see key performance indicators, including utilization rates, across their entire corporate or college campus with a local or global view. 

• Expanded reporting – With a few simple steps, space planners can share monthly reports and critical data points with executives and internal stakeholders for greater collaboration.

• Detailed space analysis – Space planners can easily see which spaces are approaching capacity and which are under-utilized. All relevant daily utilization data is available in an easy-to-understand user interface.

For more details on Lambent Spaces, visit https://lambentspaces.com/.

### 

About Lambent (formerly Armored Things)

Lambent is a Boston-based software company for smart space planning. Its SaaS platform leverages AI to deliver occupancy analytics for space optimization at corporate campuses and colleges. The Lambent Spaces platform leverages existing data sources such as Wi-Fi and sensors to provide anonymous and predictive analytics. The software delivers actionable intelligence so facilities professionals and space planners can make better use of the spaces they have. For more information, visit https://lambentspaces.com/.

Media Contact:

Tim Walsh

for Lambent/Armored Things

timw@walshgroupmarketing.com

617.512.1641

Corporate facilities leaders are focused on optimizing attendance and deciphering how to provide accommodations that employees actually need. 

A few years ago, companies were using clicker studies and sensors to collect office usage data and make workspace design decisions. Now, they are taking advantage of software and existing infrastructures like Wi-Fi to gather predictive analytics and inform their hybrid work strategies. 

THE HYBRID SOLUTION STARTS WITH PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS 

Organizations started experimenting with manual clicker studies and sensor-based data for campus space planning, but that only got them so far. Today’s software-based solutions and spatial intelligence can harness utilization metrics – and are scalable, cheaper, and faster to get started. The information is anonymized, so visual representations are provided without PII.  For example, the Lambent Spaces platform allows users to uncover occupancy analytics and track patterns over time, relying on historical views to predict how a space will be used in the future. 

When it comes to allocating space or making costly decisions to add or build space, predictive analytics can provide critical data to decision-makers. 

PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS CAN HELP: 

• Cost savings –  What many companies don’t know is that an investment in smart space planning software can save them money per square foot and help them find cost savings at scale. For example, predictive analytics and space utilization software can help decrease deferred maintenance costs by providing data for relocations. 
• Reorient spaces – Predictive analytics can help facilities leaders reorient the workspace in a way that yields increased engagement and collaboration and lure employees back into the office. Companies like Amazon have begun to reevaluate their office designs in order to meet future employee needs. The pandemic has changed the way people connect and work, so it’s crucial that office buildings reflect that. 
• Forecast new property investments – Space utilization data allows space planners to predict future utilization patterns and pinpoint what spaces are occupied and aren’t. This information can help facilities leaders with lease decisions. Corporations can decide whether they need to expand or reduce their office spaces. This is known as Capital Expenditures or funds used to acquire, upgrade, or maintain capital assets.  

HOW CAN COMPANIES USE PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS TO RE-ENGAGE EMPLOYEES? 

Companies can use space utilization software from Lambent to measure occupancy and utilization patterns in order to make future spatial decisions – and in the end, save money. 

Using predictive analytics, we are able to aid space planners by showing them where underutilized spaces exist based on usage over time. Lambent works with Strategic Space Planners across the U.S. to optimize office spaces and help drive decisions around building leases and scheduling. 

WHAT ABOUT THE NEW CAMPUS EXPERIENCE?

We also help Higher Education officials prepare for the next chapter of on-campus learning by allowing them to solve space disputes and meet new space requests with hard data.

This sort of data is shared between offices including Space Planning, CIOs, Chancellor, and the Registrar. We help universities like the University of Tennessee Knoxville redefine and connect their campuses with modern cloud technologies. 

Want to learn more about Lambent space analytics solution? You can visit our website or reach out directly to sales@lambentspaces.com for a quick demo.

Alex Trotto contributes to the Blog and Social Media channels for Lambent. She is currently a Northeastern University student in her sophomore year.

The rules for the new workplace experience are still being written. Employers are walking a fine line as they try to offer up a smart space and place for employees to get their best work done – and not simply reopen the same old offices.

So, what have we learned in the last two years? A lot of things, as it turns out. Here’s 6 things to know about the new workplace experience – trends that CRE and HR leaders know are here to stay.

1. EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT FOUR-DAY WORKWEEK

Companies are studying if a shorter week might solve some of the workforce’s biggest concerns as work and work life continue to evolve. The four-day workweek is a solution that makes sense for some companies.

4-Day Week Global is a not-for-profit community that researches and supports a shorter work week. Their research says 63% of businesses found it easier to attract and retain talent with a four-day week.  A four-day workweek is already supported by 85% of American adults, according to 4-Day Week Global. Companies of all sizes – including Microsoft – are giving it a whirl.

Microsoft did a small trial in Japan. During the summer of 2019, it gave its 2,300 employees every Friday off with no pay cut. Microsoft’s expectations were exceeded. When sales per employee were used to measure productivity, the company saw a rise of almost 40%. Microsoft said that the trial was a success due to short meetings and remote conferencing. The shift happened because workers only had four days to do a week’s worth of work.

​​A four-day workweek isn’t just for large companies; it’s been explored at a lot of organizations around the world as a way to improve the new workplace experience.

2. PROXIMITY BIAS IS REAL

“There are still harmful stereotypes that people working remotely are less productive or that flexible work means a loss of collaboration because people aren’t in the same space,” says Blessing Buraimoh, Head of Diversity & Inclusion, EMEA Workforce Advisory at JLL, quoted in this piece on Proximity Bias and other stereotypes associated with the new flexible workplace.

This “proximity bias” may have unfavorable long-term effects on workers and the organizations they work for. The bias needs to be worked on since it appears that most businesses will never return to the outdated 9–5 feet on the floor system.

3. COLLABORATIVE SPACES ARE IN DEMAND

Companies that embrace some remote and hybrid scheduled employees may nonetheless desire modern work spaces, trusting that regular office use would promote employee collaboration.

Companies aim to make conference rooms more hospitable and conducive to collaboration in order to entice workers back to the office. In a Wall Street Journal article about companies’ plans to remodel offices, President and Chief People Officer of Salesforce Brent Hyder stated that Salesforce strives to create shared spaces for teams to collaborate in conference rooms by replacing desks with couches and televisions. The goal is to create a pull towards the workplace rather than a push. 

4. HYPERFLEXIBLE SPACES ARE CRITICAL

In a lot of industries, 40% space underutilization rates are real – a number no longer tolerable as corporate and college campuses begin to understand smart space planning.

That means multi-purpose spaces, configurable spaces, and shared spaces need remodeling.

As gatherings grow less formal and hybrid work patterns bring fewer people physically into conference rooms, the size and shape of the traditional conference room is evolving. For better or worse, the ways we use conference rooms is fundamentally changed – which means a new pattern of utilization.

5.  SHARED WORKSPACES ARE BACK IN VOGUE

The New York Times’ Emily Woo reports that employees are choosing flexible co-working spaces over conventional offices because they allow them to sign short-term contracts or drop in to shared spaces as needed. These co-working spaces are currently overflowing. 

However, even in these co-working spaces, replicating the atmosphere of a pre-academic office is the aim for some businesses. One of the first businesses to return to a WeWork space was a start-up, Merge, that creates business software for payroll, accounting, and human resources. It expects its employees to come in at least four days a week. After the official workday wraps up, they attempt to make WeWork’s common area feel like their own workspace by hosting a shared “work dinner” there.

6. HYBRID IS MAINSTREAM

HR leaders must assess how these trends will affect their organizations both now and in the future, as well as how much they will alter their strategic objectives and goals. In order to draw in and keep talent, an organization’s EVP must include a commitment to well-being.

In one Accenture survey, 83% of 9,326 workers say they prefer a hybrid model — in which they can work remotely at least 25% of the time. At the same time, these employees need to feel connected to a corporate culture and their teammates, and more than 65% across all age groups say they want to see other coworkers regularly.

The new workplace experience is about working smarter – from anywhere.

To learn more about how Lambent is helping CRE leaders make the most of their spaces, check out our CRE Guide or reach out directly to sales@lambentspaces.com for a quick demo.

​​Nupur Patra contributes to the Blog and Social Media channels for Lambent. She is currently a Graduate Student at Northeastern University in the Digital Media program.

It’s unpredictable, unprecedented – and sometimes it can feel unmanageable. That’s the new workplace, where corporate leaders are working to create new ways to reduce unused space and create more interactive, collaborative space for employees on the days they work in the office.

Whether it’s a full week or a single day, employees across many industries are expecting an office experience that is better than the one they left two years ago.

Technology will play a critical role, that’s clear. A recent CBRE survey titled Spring 2022 U.S. Officer Occupier Sentiment Survey reported that 53% of respondents are considering occupancy sensors to help design the new workplace. So how exactly does smart software fit into this new post-pandemic work model? 

HOW CAN SPACE ANALYTICS BE USED?

Smart software – such as space utilization software – allows Strategic Space Planners to leverage existing data sources, with or without sensors. This approach typically costs much less at scale. That’s because AI software pulls in data sources such as Wi-Fi, cameras, and badge systems. This information can be used to determine whether office spaces are being under or overutilized and also help them predict future needs.

SPACE ANALYTIC SOFTWARE CAN BE USED IN THE WORKPLACE TO:

• Measure occupancy and utilization patterns in order to evaluate and reorganize office spaces.  
• Increase office use and meeting room use through integrations with room booking technology. 
• Help deferred maintenance costs by providing data for relocations. 
• Understand when spaces are occupied or not occupied to help forecast new property investments.

HOW CAN COMPANIES CHOOSE THE RIGHT APPROACH? 

There are various ways that companies can begin to integrate software into their workplace. First off, it’s crucial that executive leaders know what goals they want to achieve by utilizing smart software. One goal for corporations is to focus on maintaining employee privacy while also gathering space utilization data. Employers also need to properly communicate to workers that space utilization data is not connected to evaluations or performance reviews. It’s about planning for current and evolving campus needs.

HOW CAN I ESTIMATE ROI IN WORKPLACE DESIGN?

Technology in an office building can be quite an investment, so it’s important for executives to know whether a software investment will save or cost them money – this can be uncovered with the help of an ROI Calculator. By providing the square footage of the space and monthly lease costs, users can find cost savings at scale. 

Companies can use space utilization software from Lambent to measure occupancy and evaluate and reorganize their spaces – and in the end, save money. Lambent is helping companies like Boston Scientific understand when spaces are occupied or not occupied to help forecast new property investments. Using spatial analytics, we are able to aid space planners by showing them where underutilized spaces exist based on usage over time. 

Want to learn more about Lambent Space Analytics Solution? You can visit our website or reach out directly to sales@lambentspaces.com for a quick demo.

Alex Trotto contributes to the Blog and Social Media channels for Lambent. She is currently a Northeastern University student in her sophomore year.

COVID cases have dropped, the world has reopened – and so have most office buildings – but there’s plenty of confusion about what that means for employees. Corporate real estate leaders and space planners hope to increase office occupancy through the accommodation of new ways of working and facilitate smooth return to office plans. 

An April survey by real estate management giant CBRE solicited input from 185 executives with US Portfolios. CBRE published the report titled Spring 2022 U.S. Office Occupier Sentiment Survey. 

Among the highlights were the focus on office presence and prioritizing space sharing. What follows are five suggestions CBRE advisors have for executives to demonstrate the value of the office to their employees.

1. COMMUNICATE STRATEGIES WITH EMPLOYEES 

Whether it’s in-person, remote, hybrid, or shybrid, companies need to properly communicate their return to office plans to employees. Sixty-five percent of corporate leaders believe a  decisive and consistent executive messaging on leadership expectations will facilitate a better return to office.

Google, for instance, said they expect employees to return to the office three days a week with two days of remote work. Other companies such as Tesla are requiring employees to spend a minimum of 40 hours a week in the office. These executive missives, reported on by national media outlets, have paved the way for smaller organizations to follow. 

2. SOLO DECISIONS WON’T FLY 

While the C-suite is the one calling the shots on emerging workplace challenges, they require the buy-in of HR teams, office managers, and facilities leaders. During our time away from the office, headcounts changed, the space required for each employee has remained in flux, and people prioritized healthcare needs that require exemptions and other logistics. Fifty-eight percent of executives are hyper-focused on collaboration efforts with cross-departmental leaders on targeted strategies for a return to the office, CBRE reported. 

3. EQUITABLE HYBRID STRATEGY REQUIRES TECHNOLOGY 

With more companies leaning in on hybrid strategies to meet employee needs, it’s crucial that heads of workplaces incorporate technology into their return to office strategy to keep executives and employees connected. Forty-six percent of corporate leaders are planning to work with technology departments to deliver a more equitable hybrid working experience through enhanced video conferencing according to the survey. 

4. STRENGTHEN COVID PROTOCOLS

As we work to figure out the new norm, 40% of companies will continue to require vaccinations, testing, and masking along with various other protocols (CBRE). For example, Netflix is requiring all employees and visitors to be fully vaccinated before returning to the office. COVID policies are lessening but the impact of the pandemic will continue to affect workplace norms for some time.

5. MAKE THE OFFICE EXPERIENCE UNIQUE

Many employees enjoy the flexibility that hybrid and remote working provides them. They now have more time to pursue their hobbies or spend time with family. Who would want to give that up to sit in a boring office building all day?

In order to lure employees back into the office, CBRE reported that 36% of corporations will curate events or other work experiences that are unique to the office. Medicare plan comparison platform Clear Match Medicare has introduced a free lunch program where employees have access to food trucks each day of the week. Google has announced that their office amenities and perks such as fitness centers, full shuttle services, and game rooms will be back as a part of their return to office plans. 

RESHAPING THE OFFICE

Corporate leaders across the nation are reimagining office spaces of all sizes to create unique experiences. According to the CBRE report, 53% of respondents are considering adopting occupancy sensors. Executives plan to utilize technology to drive more consumer-oriented experiences for employees and encourage them to return to the office. 

Many corporations are already getting creative, turning unused conference rooms into new common areas for employees, for example. Salesforce is clearing desks from vacant conference rooms and replacing them with couches and televisions to create spaces for teams to collaborate. Some companies are taking drastic measures to make the return to work appealing for employees even if that means relocating their offices to be closer to where their employees live. Software development studio, Ustwo, just recently moved its New York City office from Manhattan to Dumbo where most of its employees live in order to cut commute time. The new office was smaller and also better suited for employees, providing them with an open-air rooftop with Wi-Fi for meetings. 

Companies can use space utilization software from Lambent – with or without new sensor installations – to measure occupancy and evaluate and reorganize their spaces. When using software, operations teams can visualize their space in a format that can be easily understood, and apply historical overlays to see predictive use cases. Lambent is helping companies like Boston Scientific understand when spaces are occupied or not occupied to help forecast new property investments. Using spatial analytics, we are able to aid space planners by showing them where underutilized spaces exist based on usage over time.  

Want to learn more about Lambent space analytics solution? You can visit our website or reach out directly to sales@lambentspaces.com for a quick demo.

Alex Trotto contributes to the Blog and Social Media channels for Lambent. She is currently a Northeastern University student in her sophomore year.

The Purposeful Intent “Walk this Way” event in New York City brought together leaders in corporate real estate across industries to discuss the future of work. The event featured roundtable discussions and special guests such as DMC and Innovation and Creativity Consultant Duncan Wardle. 

What can we learn from performers and magic makers designing Disney experience about the future of work? Well, a lot as it turns out. As the value of human experiences skyrockets, CRE leaders look to tear down the traditional office walls and draw workers back to the office for the experience. 

The event ​​curated valuable conversations with workplace & corporate real estate leaders while galvanizing attendees to continue their innovation efforts and become change agents in their communities and workplaces. 

While there are a number of priorities space planners are tackling, here are the main takeaways from the event according to leaders in the industry. 

OUT WITH HIGH-TOUCH, IN WITH HIGH-TECH FOR CRE

What was once a world of clicker-studies and spreadsheets is now–like many other things–tech-enabled. Sprawling CRE portfolios were managed through manual processes, requiring time and labor from resource-strapped teams. But even before the pandemic’s disruption, the emergence of prop-tech companies has started to alleviate manual workflows, freeing CRE leaders and their teams up to drive more creative, impactful decisions. 

Many corporate real estate leaders are using technology to foster cross-functional collaboration which is essential for a distributed workforce. To do this, they need the full force of their team’s capabilities. Technology allows them to share reporting, validate decisions, and project impact.

WORKPLACE PROFESSIONALS CURATING EXPERIENCES 

You can’t talk about the future of work without acknowledging the employee experience.  Companies both big and small will continue to navigate this changing landscape for some time. During the conference, three distinct camps emerged with some brands seeing office attendance as an essential part of their corporate DNA and other brands seeing the need to earn employee attendance with increased office benefits. A third group is suffering pandemic paralysis, rolling (and rolling back) shybrid policies. 

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN REQUIRES PURPOSE 

One way executives are making the office experience worth the commute is by redesigning spaces to become more efficient and collaborative. But while office redesigns tend to delight and dazzle employees upon roll-out, best-in-class corporate campuses follow a tried and true formula for success. Here are the top three things all successful redesigns require: 

1. Support from company executives
2. Business goals that tie directly to redesign decisions
3. The ability to deliver space utilization metrics and analytics  

Lambent was a proud sponsor of this month’s Purposeful Intent event which gave leaders across the industry a seat at the table to foster meaningful conversations to improve the future of work. 

In order to curate the best workplace environment and experience, facilities leaders need data. Data enables them to predict future utilization patterns to accommodate a workforce that will not return to a 5-day office presence. Powerful AI software like Lambent Spaces has helped major employers encourage workers to return to the office in a safe manner. 

​​To learn more about how Lambent helps facilities management teams, schedule time with one of our experts today.