Is a lack of sensor data costing companies millions?
Most workplace decisions are still made without sufficient data or evidence, meaning leaders often rely on assumptions rather than informed insights. The problem is simple, what leaders think is happening in their workplace rarely matches reality, and that disconnect is exactly where the real cost begins.
“Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion.” – W. Edwards Deming (Jones, M., & Silberzahn, P.2016) & (arcAspicio, 2019)
This gap between perceived workplace behaviour and actual workplace behaviour quietly drains organisations, through wasted space, unnecessary energy use, reduced productivity, and even weakened employee experience. Modern workplaces move too fast and change too often for guesswork to keep up. Leaders don’t need assumptions; they need visibility. That’s exactly where sensor data becomes genuinely transformative.
Historically, workplace management relied heavily on assumptions rather than real evidence (Matrix Booking, 2026). That may have worked in predictable, pre‑pandemic office environments, but today’s hybrid workplaces operate under entirely different conditions. People come in at different times, use spaces differently, and shift between collaboration and focus work more fluidly than ever before. Without real‑time visibility, leaders are essentially making decisions in the dark.
Consider two common examples:
Example 1: A company assumes most desks are occupied throughout the week. In reality, occupancy data often shows that large portions of the office remain unused for long stretches.
Example 2: Leaders believe certain rooms are essential, yet sensor data reveals they are barely used. Decisions made on these assumptions lead to wasted space, unnecessary expenses, and missed opportunities to improve the workplace.
Can we use better, more timely data?
So what data is being used to make these decisions? Traditional methods like surveys and manual observations both of which have clear limitations. Surveys capture opinions, not behaviour. Manual observations only show a single moment in time. And assumptions are shaped by personal experience, not actual patterns. In short, traditional data collection cannot keep up with the complexity of hybrid work or the dynamic nature of modern office environments.
Today’s workplaces require agility. Circumstances change quickly, and leaders need tools that help them respond just as quickly. Sensor data provides that real‑time visibility. Sensors don’t require technical expertise; they simply show what is happening in the space. They reveal how often rooms are used, when people come in, which areas stay empty, and how movement flows throughout the day.
What are the benefits of clarity?
With this level of clarity, decision‑making becomes far more accurate. Leaders can identify which spaces are performing well and which need improvement. They can adjust layouts, reduce wasted areas, improve comfort, and make changes that reflect how employees actually use the workplace. For example, if a certain area is consistently empty, it can be repurposed. If a meeting room is always full, more collaborative spaces can be added. If energy is being consumed in low‑occupancy zones, systems can be adjusted to reduce waste. Small, evidence‑based improvements accumulate into major savings over time.
On the human side, better information leads to a better employee experience. When workplaces are designed around real behaviour, employees feel more comfortable, supported, and productive. They get spaces that genuinely fit their needs instead of spaces built around outdated assumptions which makes a supported employee almost always a more engaged and productive one.
The question is no longer, “How much space do we have?”
It is: “What is our workplace data telling us and what can we do with it?”
At Beringar, we believe smarter workplaces start with better information. Sensor‑driven insights empower leaders to create environments that are more efficient, comfortable, sustainable, and responsive to the people who use them.
Onwards, optimised.
Rgds
Mark
References:
- Without an opinion, you’re just another person with data. Forbes. , Jones, M., & Silberzahn, P. (2016)
- Without data it’s just an opinion, arcAspicio (2019)
- Seeing the unseen: how occupancy sensors unlock smarter, data-driven workplaces, Matrix Booking (2026)
