A major exhibition showcasing how movement sensors, human-centric LED lighting and other smart building technology can improve the experience of working – and entice staff back into the office – is set to take place in Derby.
The event, called the Workplace Technology Conference, is being hosted by city IT and smart buildings firm Scenariio to bring landlords, architects, fit-out experts and company owners together to discover how the latest innovations and research promises to revolutionise the workplace experience.
It is the first time the company has organised an event of its kind and it will take place against a backdrop of industry concerns about the effect working from home, which began for many during the COVID pandemic, is having on productivity, with many major companies, including Apple, Amazon and JP Morgan Chase, desperate to get staff back into the workplace.
At the same time, worries over rising energy costs and staff retention mean the performance of buildings, in terms of both consumption and comfort, is coming under scrutiny more than ever before.
Both issues are likely to be centre stage at the conference, which takes place on September 21 at the Chocolate Factory, the home of the Bustler Market street food venue, in Siddals Road.
Entry is free and delegates will be able to visit trade stands to learn about the latest thinking, products and innovative approaches such as Power over Ethernet, which uses data cables to provide electricity to run lights and CCTV cameras, and circadian, or biodynamic, lighting – a technique which was pioneered by NASA and uses indoor lighting to mimic the natural circle of daylight.
They will also be able to inspect devices including sensors which can monitor everything from human movement to air temperature, humidity, air quality and CO2 levels – and even when bins need emptying – to give facilities managers up-to-date information on performance levels.
A number of companies have already signed up to appear, including two event partners, global network infrastructure firm CommScope and smartengine by wtec, which supplies building intelligence and lighting control platforms.
Guest speakers will also be talking about issues such as the importance of technology planning, putting technology at the heart of sustainability and that all-important question of how to get staff to give up their home working stations and spend more time in work.
Tom Erskine, business development director at Scenariio, said: “We’ve never hosted an event of this kind before and we’re really looking forward to welcoming companies from across the country to show them how technology can help them to run their premises more efficiently and create ever-more pleasant working environments for staff.
“The way modern workplaces look, feel and function is changing dramatically and while much of that is down to colours of the furniture and spatial design, it is technology that can have a meaningful impact on efficiency, wellbeing and costs.
“This encompasses everything from human-centric lighting to meeting room booking systems, from internet connectivity to sensors, all of which ensure an optimal experience to keep staff members happy, productive and motivated.”
Established in 2013, Scenariio has installed smart building technology, including intelligent lighting, integrated and supplementary sensor networks and audio-visual systems, at premises across the UK.
Its clients include Gymshark, Severn Trent Water and Tarmac, as well as, closer to home, Derby College and Bustler Markets venues in Derby and Nottingham.
The event starts at 10am and will be followed at 5pm by an evening at Bustler Market, including karaoke, arcade games and a silent disco.
For more information and to book your place visit https://www.workplacetechnology.io/
