Overview: From assumptions to measurable insight
As organizations rethink how collaboration happens in the workplace, understanding how shared spaces are actually used has become essential. For a global leader in enterprise software, this meant moving beyond assumptions and gaining accurate visibility into the occupancy of its collaborative open spaces.
To support this ambition, the client appointed Kardham Digital as its smart building integration partner. Kardham Digital selected Terabee people-counting sensors to deliver reliable occupancy data. Together, the partners delivered a pilot project in Paris that laid the groundwork for a more data-informed approach to workplace strategy.
The challenge: Understanding real usage of collaborative spaces
The organization, a global enterprise software provider with around 3,400 employees across 20 offices worldwide, wanted to accurately measure the occupancy of its non-reservable collaborative open spaces. As these areas generate little or no occupancy data through existing workplace systems, their actual usage was difficult to assess.
Without objective data, it was challenging to:
- Understand whether these spaces were appropriately sized
- Identify periods of overuse or underuse
- Evaluate whether creating additional collaborative areas would be relevant
The objective was to build a reliable factual baseline, a necessary first step in any smart building journey.
The solution: Reliable People Counting as a foundation for smart workplaces
To address this need, Kardham Digital designed a pilot deployment centered on Terabee OCCUPANCY LoRa sensors.
Several factors influenced this choice:
- Proven sensor reliability in real-world environments
- The ability to define and aggregate multiple counting zones, ideal for open collaborative areas
- LoRa network communication, enabling seamless integration with the existing on-site infrastructure
An essential aspect of the solution was privacy compliance. Terabee People Counting sensors do not use cameras and do not capture or store images. They generate anonymous occupancy counts only, ensuring full alignment with GDPR requirements while preserving employee privacy.
All these aspects guided Kardham Digital’s decision to select Terabee for this project.
Implementation: A focused pilot deployment
Targeted sensor installation
The project was deployed on a single site in Paris, covering two collaborative open-space areas. A total of six Terabee OCCUPANCY sensors were installed, with three sensors per open space mounted on the ceiling.
Installation and commissioning were completed smoothly, validating the practicality of the solution in a real operational environment.
Data consolidation and visualization
Occupancy data from the sensors is consolidated within KD Convergence, Kardham Digital’s central data platform.
The platform brings together:
- Sensor-generated occupancy data
- Booking and building usage information
- Customizable dashboards designed in collaboration with workplace consultants
These dashboards provide:
- Clear visibility into occupancy levels
- Standardized visual reports
- Tailored views aligned with the client’s specific needs.
The data can also be combined with other KPIs, such as air quality or energy consumption, enabling a broader understanding of building usage over time.
Who uses the data
The primary user of the solution is the Facility Manager, who relies on the dashboards to:
- Better understand how collaborative spaces are used
- Assess whether creating new collaborative areas would be relevant
At this stage, the data is mainly consulted for analysis and decision support, enabling a gradual and structured approach to smart building adoption.
Results: Clearer visibility and better-informed decisions
According to Kardham Digital, the project was considered a success and the solution delivered value in several key areas:
- Improved accuracy compared to previous estimation methods
- Better visibility into how collaborative spaces are actually used
- Identification of over-utilized and under-utilized zones
- Use of data to rethink spaces and planning
The end user expressed satisfaction with the data provided, with no requests for changes to the spaces following the analysis, a sign of confidence in the insights delivered.
“The collaboration with Terabee went very smoothly. We quickly obtained all the elements needed to integrate the sensors, which greatly facilitated the development and testing phases. Communication was fluid and constructive, with excellent responsiveness on their part. Delivery timelines were consistently met, and once on site, the installation and commissioning of the sensors proved to be simple and efficient. This reliability, both technically and logistically, ensured seamless integration within the client’s project.”
— Peter Bachour, Project Manager, Kardham Digital
Future outlook: A scalable smart building foundation
The deployment for this end user was designed as a pilot project, validating both the approach and the value of occupancy data. Following the initial results, the client plans to extend the deployment to additional spaces within the same site by the end of the year. More broadly, this approach serves as a replicable model for Kardham Digital when supporting other clients in their transition toward smarter buildings.
“Thanks to the reliability and accuracy of Terabee sensors, we were able to provide our client with precise occupancy data, enabling more informed decisions regarding the use and optimization of collaborative spaces.”
— Peter Bachour, Project Manager, Kardham Digital
By starting with reliable occupancy data, the company has taken a pragmatic first step, building intelligence progressively, based on facts rather than assumptions.
Are you ready to scale your building’s intelligence?
Contact Terabee today to learn more about our occupancy sensing solutions.
The Author: Dr. Max Ruffo is a visionary technology leader with over two decades of experience at the forefront of industrial innovation, having pioneered the introduction of 3D printing, civil drones, autonomous mobile robots and LiDAR sensors. Today, Max is dedicated to a long-term mission of building a better world by championing green buildings and net-zero communities.
References and Links
If the topic is of interest, I advise diving into some interesting research with these key leaders:
Academic Research on Waste and Behavior
- (1) Dr. Shahzeen Attari’s research: Her work at Indiana University focuses on people’s judgments and decisions about climate change and resource use. You can explore her publications and profile at:
https://oneill.indiana.edu/faculty-research/directory/profiles/faculty/full-time/attari-shahzeen.html.
Psychological Concepts (Inattentional and Change Blindness)
- (5) Elizabeth Loftus’s work: Her research on memory, inattentional blindness, and change blindness is foundational to this topic.
- „Planting misinformation in the human mind: A 30-year investigation of the malleability of memory“ (2005): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16027179/
- „Change blindness and eyewitness testimony“ (2010):
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2010-18400-006
Industry and Policy Resources
- (2) American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE): This non-profit organization provides extensive technical and policy analyses on energy efficiency in buildings. https://www.aceee.org/
- (3) Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA): This association provides resources and standards for the HVAC industry. https://www.acca.org/
- (4) National Comfort Institute (NCI): NCI offers training and resources to HVAC professionals, with a focus on high-performance and energy-efficient systems. https://www.nationalcomfortinstitute.com/
- (6) Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
https://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2018/ - (7) Eurostat article „Final energy consumption in services – detailed statistics“ https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Final_energy_consumption_in_services_-_detailed_statistics
