MILWAUKEE, March 7 /PRNewswire/ — Shaping the future of workspace management, Johnson Controls’ VISIBLE Living Lab was recognized by CoreNet Global UK. Its pioneering concept measures and records how space is occupied in real time; how users interact within it; and how space can be best designed to meet the objectives of the occupier. The innovative VISIBLE technology captures and records the way users occupy buildings by tracking employee movements using a RFID smart tag.
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Graham Brown, director of Group Real Estate at Orange and chair of the judging panel, said, “Every year the caliber of nominations seems to improve, giving the judging panel a real challenge of selecting a short list and eventual winner.”
Commenting on the award win, Marie Puybaraud, program director at Johnson Controls Global WorkPlace Solutions EMEA, said, “We are delighted that our innovation has been recognized with this prestigious award. Johnson Controls Global WorkPlace Solutions has been responding to needs of our clients and the market through investment in research and development. The VISIBLE Living Lab is a product of this investment. Our objective is to deliver — through active technology — an intelligent, analytical and graphical assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of the layout and utilisation of today’s workspaces. Ultimately, this technology helps us to identify space utilization improvements that increase productivity and reduce the total cost of ownership for our customers.”
Johnson Controls Global WorkPlace Solutions and the University of West of England worked together under the Facilities Innovation Programme to undertake intensive research involved in the creation of the VISIBLE Living Lab. Working in partnership with SCEMTEC, Johnson Controls has developed a made-to-measure solution for its customers.
Rick Bertasi, vice president of Global WorkPlace Solutions EMEA, commented, “Investment in innovations like this increase Johnson Controls’ ability to meet our customers’ needs. By working with and listening to customers with significant property portfolios, we can better support their strategic agendas. The Facilities Innovation Programme provides us with a unique, focused research program in these areas. The VISIBLE Living Lab can save corporate clients up to 30 percent of their occupancy costs. It will do for occupancy what LEAN programs have done for manufacturing and inventory management.”
CoreNet Global UK is part of CoreNet Global, the world premiere association for corporate real estate and related professionals. CoreNet Global UP seeks to support, inform and educate best practice in corporate real estate to meet the occupational needs of businesses in the UK.
CoreNet Global UK members benefit from a global research based service. A global industry-wide research databank, research-led, accredited educational courses and a program of social and issues-led events not only facilitate career development, but also enable members to network, share experiences and exchange ideas with like-minded individuals. It is this global covenant, along with the research-led approach that differentiates the CoreNet Global UK Chapter from other UK industry associations such as the RICS, BCO and RIBA.
The Facilities Innovation Programme was created in 2002 to develop and promote leading edge research, providing a strong platform for innovation by researching WorkPlace issues faced by global corporations. As the only program of its kind in the UK, the Facilities Innovation Programme draws together expertise from across the industry to develop and promote leading edge research in facilities management.
Established in 2002 by Johnson Controls and in full collaboration with academic and corporate partners in the United Kingdom and the United States, the Facilities Innovation Programme is able to reach and influence a whole range of academic and corporate clients and to establish itself as a leader in property and facilities management research. This partnership provides a strong platform for innovation and promotes research activities and excellence. As well as providing opportunities for disseminating knowledge, it acts as a forum for discussing WorkPlace and property issues and emerging solutions. For additional information, please visit http://www.facilitiesinnovation.co.uk/ .
SCEMTEC AUTOMATION was founded in 1996 and employs 15 engineers and developers, based in Velbert, Germany. SCEMTEC AUTOMATION focuses on active transponder electronic development, product development, engineering and software development combined in the latest product line: “LOC- locate solution.” For more information, please visit http://www.locatesolution.de/ or http://scemtecautomation.de/ .
Johnson Controls is the world’s largest global real estate and facilities management business offering a single-source for real estate portfolio management, design and project management, strategic consulting, energy and facilities management services. With more than 11,500 employees located in 350 locations across over 50 countries, serving real estate portfolios and managing facilities of approximately 1.5 billion square feet, Johnson Controls was recently named one of the Global Outsourcing 100 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP).
Johnson Controls is a global leader in automotive experience, building efficiency and power solutions. The company provides innovative automotive interiors that help make driving more comfortable, safe and enjoyable. For buildings, it offers products and services that optimise energy use and improve comfort and security. Johnson Controls also provides batteries for automobiles and hybrid electric vehicles, along with systems engineering and service expertise. Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) has 136,000 employees in more than 1,000 locations serving customers in 125 countries. Founded in 1885, the company is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its sales for 2006 fiscal year totalled $32.2 billion. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/ .
