Today’s facilities and real estate leaders face growing pressure to deliver operational efficiency, occupant satisfaction, and cost control, all at once. To meet these demands, many are turning to sensor data as a strategic advantage. By capturing everyday actions, like movement through a space or room occupancy, organizations can transform passive data into real-time insights. This shift enables them to move beyond reactive maintenance, cleaning, and space planning to the adoption of a more proactive, data-driven approach to facility management. Industry Trends: Growing Use of Sensors for Workplace Optimization According to JLL’s 2024 Global Occupancy Planning Benchmarking Report, workplace utilization is increasingly being tracked through technology-driven methods. Visual observation, once the dominant approach, has dropped to just 36%, down from 75% in 2017, as organizations shift to more scalable, data-backed solutions. Badge swipe data now leads the way, used by 97% of organizations (up from 36% in 2017), while presence-based sensors, such as desk, seat, and image-based sensors, are used by 20% to monitor real-time occupancy trends. Facilities-based sensors, including those that track heat and light, are also emerging as valuable tools and are currently used by 10% of respondents. Together, these technologies empower teams to make smarter, more responsive decisions around cleaning, maintenance, and energy use. Customer Spotlight: On-Demand Cleaning with Sensor Data From badge swipes and door counts to conference room activity, the data is there, but what’s often missing is a clear strategy to turn it into meaningful action. One Nuvolo customer, a commercial cleaning and maintenance provider, is leading the way. They use Nuvolo not only to manage work order tickets, but also to respond in real time to sensor data. By tracking simple yet powerful indicators, like how many times a restroom door is opened, clear usage patterns begin to emerge. For example, after 300 door opens, a restroom may require cleaning. Instead of following a rigid hourly routine, staff cleans based on actual usage, boosting both efficiency and tenant satisfaction. The result is a facility that always feels clean and well-maintained, without wasting staff hours on underused spaces. Hear directly from Nuvolo’s VP of Enterprise, Nick Febonio, on how this customer is putting it into practice: How Service Providers and Workplace Leaders Can Leverage Sensor Data For service providers like the example above, the use of sensors extends beyond delivering cleaning and maintenance services. By uncovering insights, such as which areas experience the highest foot traffic, which restrooms require more frequent attention, and how activity shifts across office zones throughout the week, they provide clients with more than just a clean facility. They deliver a clear, data-backed strategy for maintaining consistently high service standards. That level of visibility transforms them from a service vendor into a strategic partner. For facilities managers, real estate leaders, and workplace teams managing their own buildings and corporate headquarters, the value of sensor data is just as impactful, but applied differently. With real-time access to occupancy trends and space utilization patterns, they can make smarter decisions about how space is used, when it should be serviced, and how to adapt to evolving workplace and tenant needs. In addition to this, sensors can support energy efficiency by signaling HVAC and lighting systems when spaces are unoccupied. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 30% of energy used in commercial buildings is wasted due to inefficiencies. Using sensor data to automatically reduce consumption in underutilized areas offers a direct path to cost savings and reduced environmental impact. The Bottom Line: Smarter Facilities and Real Estate Strategies Starts with Data Sensor data can transform the way organizations manage their spaces, enabling service providers, facilities teams, and real estate leaders to shift from reactive operations to proactive, insight-driven strategies. For service providers, it means delivering more efficient, high-quality services. For facilities and workplace teams, it supports better occupant experiences and energy performance. And for real estate leaders, it unlocks the visibility needed to make data-driven portfolio decisions. Share
