Data Meets Insight for the Higher Education Sector
Most universities don’t have a space problem; they have a visibility problem. While departments request more space daily, existing estates often sit underused. Baker Stuart and Lambent have partnered to bridge this gap, combining AI-powered occupancy data with expert consultancy to help universities make confident, evidence-based decisions.
The Lambent + Baker Stuart Approach
Our strategic partnership offers a complete solution from data capture through to strategic implementation, without the need for manual walkabout surveys, new hardware or sensors.
| Step | Delivered By | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Monitor | Lambent | 24/7 space usage data using your existing Wi-Fi infrastructure. |
| 2. Analyse | Baker Stuart | Deep dive into utilization patterns, inefficiencies, and sector benchmarking. |
| 3. Advise | Baker Stuart | Practical, strategic recommendations to improve estate performance. |
| 4. Act | Joint Support | Assistance in planning, stakeholder engagement, and implementing change. |
ROI Case Study: Edge Hill University
Edge Hill University, set across a 160-acre campus with over 120 buildings, faced the challenge of managing a complex estate based on perception rather than proof. Facilities teams often heard spaces were “busy,” yet data to validate these claims was missing.
Turning Perception into Proof
By implementing a 90-day pilot of the Lambent platform and partnering with Baker Stuart for analysis, Edge Hill transitioned from guesswork to data-led decision-making.
- Identified Savings: The pilot uncovered over £400,000 in potential OpEx savings.
- Data Accuracy: The platform achieved approximately 96% accuracy when compared to manual headcounts.
- Operational Impact: Insights allowed for the realignment of cleaning schedules, staffing optimization (identifying significant activity drops after 5 PM), and improved energy management via Building Management Systems (BMS).
Rapid Response: The Catalyst Scenario
The true value of real-time data was proven during a fire safety issue in The Catalyst, a 24/7 learning facility. Due to a stairwell pressurization fault, occupancy limits were strictly reduced.
Without data, the university planned to relocate all activity—a major disruption to students and staff. However, Lambent brought the building online in a single day and analyzed three months of historical data. The proof showed that peak occupancy never reached the revised safety thresholds, allowing the building to remain open and operations to continue without disruption. “I’d rather have 80 to 90 percent of a picture than 100 percent of nothing. With Lambent, that picture is now clear enough to act on.”— Adrian McGillion, Director of Facilities Management, Edge Hill University.
“I’d rather have 80 to 90 percent of a picture than 100 percent of nothing. With Lambent, that picture is now clear enough to act on.”— Adrian McGillion, Director of Facilities Management, Edge Hill University
Why Universities Need Occupancy Analytics Now
The gap between planned and actual space usage is often larger than estates teams expect.
- 80% seat occupancy typically shown in timetables.
- 30% actual observed seat usage in practice.
- 20% of timetabled sessions do not take place at all.
- 44% of the time, the average campus room sits empty.
Start Your 90-Day Pilot
Unlock the hidden capacity of your campus with a low-risk, high-value pilot program.
- 90 Days to Value: Get continuous, real-time occupancy data across building, floor, and zone levels.
- No New Hardware: Leverages your existing Wi-Fi infrastructure. Up and running in hours, not weeks.
- Evidence-Based Decisions: Stop making multi-million pound estate decisions based on anecdotal feedback.
