Imagine a workplace where the lighting is always perfect, there is no distracting sunlight and the office temperature is always optimal. Intelligent shading not only increases employee satisfaction and comfort, but also contributes significantly to energy efficiency. Discover how this modern technology can help improve the working environment and reduce operating costs!
Intelligent shading
Intelligent shading is a system that automatically controls the entry of light into buildings, adapting to external light conditions and internal needs. This system is equipped with sensors and motors that monitor light intensity, time of day and weather conditions in real time. Intelligent shading automatically adjusts blinds, reluxes or shades to ensure optimal lighting conditions at all times.
How does smart shading work?
At the heart of intelligent shading is a control system that can link the various sensors in the building to the shading devices. This system is programmable, allowing users to set the timing and amount of shading in advance. Modern systems can often be linked to other building automation systems such as lighting, heating and ventilation, for even greater efficiency and convenience.
The benefits of intelligent shading in the workplace
It can make a significant contribution to increasing efficiency and productivity. It can help to avoid excessive sunlight, which can interfere with the readability of monitors and cause eye fatigue. Conversely, providing sufficient natural light increases workers' energy levels and concentration.
Increasing efficiency and productivity
Employees can enter either with a code or a magnetic card. Access time can be limited, e.g. you can set a time limit so that employees cannot open the door after 8pm. The door can even be opened on license plate recognition. The door can also be opened using a mobile phone. Some doors can only be opened by users with higher privileges. You can manage users very quickly and easily.
Effect of appropriate lighting conditions on work
There are limits to human performance and they change with the day. With the right light at the right time, we can control our biorhythms and optimise our productivity. If you think about your workplace, you can easily imagine how optimal lighting can have a positive impact on performance.
Improving the concentration of workers
Natural light has many benefits for our health, and many of these are not only outdoors, but also indoors, even if they are only in small, diffuse amounts. Intelligent shading automatically controls the light levels. Spending your working hours in a bright room rich in natural light not only increases your comfort and work efficiency, but can also contribute to your health.
Comfort and employee satisfaction
Employee satisfaction is the cornerstone of your company's success. Your employees can produce effectively if they feel important, satisfied and motivated. Satisfied employees are 31% more productive than their peers and 19% more accurate in their tasks. Of course, we also know from research that dissatisfied workers perform nearly 10% worse than average.
Protection against excessive light and heat
If the temperature is too low, a cold person has to spend more energy keeping his body warm, which reduces his creativity and concentration. But in a room that is too hot, workers can become drowsy and lose concentration. For example, one study found that people working in an office at 30 degrees Celsius perform 8.9 percent worse than if they worked at 22 degrees.
Customizable shading
The distribution of luminance is particularly problematic in workplaces where information on paper has to be read and simultaneously processed on a screen. Recognition of screen content is easier in relatively dark ambient lighting than on a bright background. The reverse is true for information written on paper. Adequate lighting of screen-based workstations is therefore a major challenge.
The health benefits of proper shading
Reducing complaints
Poor lighting or excessive light can lead to a number of eye complaints, such as eye fatigue, headaches and even migraines. Intelligent shading helps optimise lighting conditions, reducing these complaints and improving the overall health of workers.
Better sleep quality and well-being
In the modern, industrialised world, humans have literally reversed their natural rhythm of life, while our brains have evolved to adapt to daytime living. Today, however, we spend 90 percent of our time indoors, in artificial light that is too little during the day and too much at night - compared to the cycles of natural light.
Promoting well-being at work
Stress reduction
The more you're in natural light, the more certain you are to avoid depression and various sleep disorders. Sunlight causes serotonin to be produced. Also, if you work in sunlight, you can avoid the possible harmful effects of artificial light, dry eyes or migraines
Increasing motivation and satisfaction
A pleasant working environment increases employee motivation and satisfaction. Intelligent shading ensures that the office environment is always optimal, contributing to employee well-being and satisfaction.
Benefits of smart shading for the employer
No more manual up and down. Based on time or linked to a dusk sensor, the blinds lower automatically. When the sun shines through the window, the blinds automatically lower. This intervention delays the air conditioning switching on, saves energy and keeps the house cool.
Increasing efficiency and productivity
Better working conditions and increased worker satisfaction directly contribute to higher productivity. Optimal lighting conditions and temperature allow workers to concentrate better, make fewer mistakes and work more efficiently.
Energy efficiency and cost reduction
Automated systems optimise the use of natural light and artificial lighting, reducing energy consumption. In addition, thermoregulation reduces the need for air conditioning and heating, resulting in significant long-term cost savings.
Employee satisfaction: reducing staff turnover
Improving the working environment and increasing employee satisfaction has a direct impact on reducing staff turnover. Satisfied employees are more loyal to the company, with less sick leave and less absenteeism, which reduces recruitment and training costs.
Security
It can also contribute to building security. Automated systems can be used to close shutters when the building is empty, reducing the risk of burglary.
Intelligent shading in modern offices
Aesthetics and functionality in one
A digital - also known as smart or clever - film is a layer that can be purposefully attached to a glass or Plexiglas surface, providing multifunctional benefits to the partitioning used. The film can be retrofitted to existing surfaces. It works by changing its transparency in response to an electric current.
Modern design elements
A wide range of shading systems are available to match the design of modern offices. These systems are not only practical but also aesthetic, contributing to the visual appeal of the office environment.
Versatile usability
Whether in open-plan or separate offices, intelligent shading solutions can improve the working environment. Intelligent shading therefore not only offers a range of benefits for workers, but also brings significant savings and efficiency gains for employers. In the long term, the introduction of such systems can contribute to improving the quality of the working environment and increasing business success.
Everything that can be controlled, in one can be automated is. From now on, you'll have a really valuable and smart office, where you can maximise efficiency. For more interesting facts follow us on our Facebook page!
