Like many analysts, I am fascinated by the integrated possibilities that the internet of things (IoT) might be able to bring us.

Unlike many, my interests are more corporate in nature. I find the concept of a connected workplace very interesting, as it incorporates many roles and functions, more than a consumer space.

One example of this is the intelligent room. I define an intelligent room as a room that can make decisions on your behalf on the basis of sensors and role profiles. This goes beyond temperature, lighting and ambiance, and includes rerouting of communications, preferences of the occupants of the room at the time, and the rules of the organization in which the occupants represent.

Rerouting of communications may also impact mobile devices in the room at the time.  For example, if the rule is no interruptions, then calls coming into the room are rerouted to voice mail.  Or if the room is using the VOIP for a concall, any incoming calls to that number are rerouted to a human or voice mail as the users prefer.

Occupant preferences are role-based, and rules-based.  If there are several occupants, then the role of the most senior occupant takes precedence. The rules are an interesting aspect, as a more common working space in an airport, hotel or business center may have to program parameters for several kinds of organizations. Which applications are enabled for the room may be both rule based and organizationally adapted.

One company that is on trend to get to this point is Robin. Their view is: “Remarkable things can happen when a room knows who is using it. We believe buildings in the future will be like another device. You’ll install apps onto rooms instead of screens, and walking in will log you in.”

My own view of this is that facilities management as a function going forward will be one of added intelligence on how facilities work in terms of efficiency, as well as how intelligent rooms add value to the organization. My own research work highlights the needs of organizations going forward in terms of intelligent office space, and how general contractors will have to specify intelligence in the leased office space market.  The concept of connected real estate will take on new meaning for leasing companies who will need to highlight the services provided in a whole new way.

How smart is your office space now?