Smart technology has changed the way we live and work in fundamental ways. If your Connecticut office hasn't yet been outfitted with smart technology, you're missing out on opportunities to save money, save energy and make life more convenient for yourself and your employees. There are many smart devices that are used in modern offices, and often those devices control the basic qualities of the environment, like light in the room and the temperature of the space.
You can benefit from installing smart devices in your office, but first you should know what the options are and which types of smart devices are most applicable to your office space. Once you know which type of technology is right for you, find a Connecticut contractor that can install smart devices during your next office remodel.
Benefits of Smart Technology in the Office
There are many reasons that commercial building owners choose smart technology for their offices. Smart technology isn't just the way of the future; it's the way that offices are now. Those offices that don't have smart technology often find it's important to catch up during office renovations. Here's why.
Energy efficiency. Smart devices control heat and electricity to ensure it's used only when workers are present. When workers leave for the night, smart devices shut off lights and change the HVAC settings to conserve energy.
Convenience. Smart devices turn on the lights when someone enters the room, so you'll never have to search for the light switch, or fumble in the dark. Smart devices can be installed all over the building including offices, conference rooms, hallways and bathrooms.
Remote connectivity. Some smart devices even control conference rooms for better remote connectivity. With a smart conference room, you can connect with anyone, anywhere in the world with ease.
Smart Technology Starts With Occupancy Sensors
In order to accomplish a lot of what smart technology does in the office, your building will need occupancy sensors in every room. Occupancy sensors know when a space is no longer occupied, and use this information to control a variety of systems within the building.
- Lights. Occupancy sensors turn on lights when someone enters a room. If the room becomes suddenly empty, the occupancy sensors wait for a pre-programmed period before turning off the lights. When someone enters the room again, the lights turn on automatically.
- HVAC. At the end of the day, once your building is no longer occupied, your HVAC system will put your building into energy-saving mode, so that your business can save money on heating and cooling since your building isn't occupied. In addition to saving energy, this can reduce wear and tear on your building's HVAC system.
- Security cameras. When people are in your office space, security cameras help keep your equipment and the people on your premises safe. Use occupancy sensors to turn on security cameras and capture this information when people are around. When they're gone, your security cameras can shut off to conserve energy and prevent the creation of unnecessary footage.
Smart Upgrades Make Improve Meetings
Occupancy sensors aren't the only kind of smart technology that commercial property owners and business owners integrate into their space now. Meeting rooms have been transformed by smart technology to make it easier to connect with parties that are hours away.
- Built-in cameras. Use built-in cameras in partnership with meeting software like Zoom. Built-in cameras make it easy to capture everyone at the table or in the room, even if they don't have computers or cameras directly in front of them.
- Speakers in the ceiling. Use built-in speakers to capture sounds without requiring anyone to raise their voices.
- Computer connectivity. Connect the entire system - microphones and cameras - to a single computer system in the room. This allows for easy control and seamless integration into your meetings.
When Is the Right Time to Upgrade Your Office?
You can make these upgrades at any time, although most businesses wait until they're already remodeling their office to make the change. Whether you're painting some rooms or completely updating your office space, it's a great time to install smart technology.
How to Get Started
If you're ready to upgrade your business with smart technology, get started by hiring the right Connecticut contractor for the job. Look for a contractor with experience installing occupancy sensors and smart technology in previous office spaces.
Meet with multiple contractors ahead of time to ask questions and discuss your goals for your office space. If you're not that familiar with smart technology, talking to a contractor who has integrated it into office spaces previously can help. Your contractor can help guide you through the process and answer your questions.
Know your budget for your upcoming remodel, so you can make better decisions about the changes you're about to make. Communicate your budget with your contractor to ensure that everyone is on the same page throughout the process.
The majority of commercial remodels also require an architect. Your contractor can refer you to architects that have the kind of experience and work style that will best meet your needs.
Find a Connecticut Contractor for Your Smart Office Upgrade
Making your office a smart office is a good move. Get started by hiring a contractor you can trust. Litchfield Builders has created a guide for hiring a contractor - you can download this free resource from our website. For more information about technology integration commercial renovations in Connecticut, call us today to have a discussion about your upcoming business remodel.
