How to Be Commercially Savvy with Automation

Smart, well-designed workplaces create a more dynamic and appealing environment for staff, partners and clients. Automation systems can make your company more commercially savvy by making use of the latest technologies boost productivity and impress anyone your company deals with.

With so many technological advancements at our fingertips, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t make our commercial buildings smarter. Below we look at some of the exciting ways automated systems can transform your workplace and help you transition into a forward thinking and commercially savvy business.

Centralised Control

Customised automation systems offer a simple way for users to control multiple aspects in a space. It allows you to control lighting, temperature, appliances and other technologies. This can be very convenient in office spaces and conference rooms for employees, who can quickly set up a space according to their needs.

For other businesses, like luxury hotels, automation systems can be an impressive and indulgent experience for customers. By having this new technology in place, your company appears determined to offer state of the art services and keep pace with the latest technology.

Integrated System

You can be more commercially savvy in office environments with integrated automation systems, which can increase productivity by saving time on booking and setting up rooms. For example, we installed a centralised AV control system, which reports on AV usage and room occupation at Fonterra’s global headquarters in Auckland.

Room booking systems there can integrate with Outlook, allowing employees to manage available meeting spaces and book rooms. A user can view the booking schedule for each space and the status of meetings (in-progress or booked). The room can be prepared ahead of time so the necessary equipment is up and running and ready to go in time for the meeting.

Social and Public Areas

Automated systems can help you create the perfect atmosphere in public and social places in your business, whether it’s a public lobby or a break out space for employees. From background music and public address capability to huge video panel walls and advanced projection systems, the options are endless.

If your company has large public or social areas, creating a nice environment to hang out in, full of tech savvy gear will engage employees and customers alike. We can customise it to fit your brand image as well as the requirements of the people using the space.

Tailored Automation Solutions to Make Your Business Savvy

Organisations are increasingly using automation technology to give them an extra edge, transform spaces and improve operational practices. Our team at Automation Associates develop a tailored automation solution for businesses based on the space and what they need in order to be a commercially savvy organisation.

For more information about how we can help your business move forward with automation technology, explore our services or get in touch with our team.

Secure your building site from theft

On the 7th of March 2017 www.stuff.co.nz reporter Denise Piper penned the following article Everything but kitchen sink stolen from building sites on Auckland’s North Shore telling of  tools, building materials – even furniture – having been stolen from building sites and show homes on Auckland’s North Shore.

Brendon Reid, Managing Director at Automation Associates says “With thefts from building sites on the rise again, it is important to protect your property especially to maintain progress on site.  We have seen construction schedules pushed back months when cabling and plumbing has been ripped off from houses under construction.”

Automation Associates offers a service called Site Secure.  For a fee of $59 per month a Site Secure system will help protect your building site while it is under construction.  The system includes signage and multiple wireless sensors and a GSM dialler with alerts sent to either a monitoring company or any phone number of your choice.

Contact Automation Associates today to find out more about how you can secure your building site.  Ph 09 377 3778 or email sales@aa.net.nz

Automation Technology and Business Growth

Savvy business owners are constantly thinking about new ways technology can foster growth. Automated systems help businesses reduce costs and transform operational practices, offering opportunities for future development. The extent to which you can benefit from automation depends on how robust an implemented system is.

But how specifically can automated systems drive business growth? Rather than creating one big, immediate change, automated systems help facilitate growth by making little, day to day things quicker and easier to do.

Increased Productivity by automation systems

Say you were rolling out an automation system in your meeting rooms. An automated system provides a simple user interface for all employees to control. The system allows you to control various features of the room and AV tech, from lighting and shades to the presentation equipment itself. Simple user interfaces make navigating and adjusting settings a breeze, without the need for lengthy training.

Centralised control of automated systems improves workflow during meetings and presentations by preventing delays previously caused by the necessity to adjust lighting and equipment or other technical hiccups. During a previous workshop with a business in Auckland, we found that up to 15 minutes can be wasted trying to set up AV systems, with an additional 10 minutes in conversation with IT support. In a 60 minute meeting, that cuts productivity time down to 35 minutes.

Multiple conference or meeting rooms can be controlled from a centralised control panel, where you can pre-book rooms and adjust the settings in that room so everything is ready to go when you need it. The result is less confusion and less wasted time, leading to better productivity overall.

Cost Savings

Automated systems not only give you total control over settings, but also allow you to manage energy use, which ultimately results in reduced costs. Brendon Reid, Director of Automation Associates comments that half of the energy used in commercial buildings is wasted.

Quality automation systems efficiently use energy by controlling multiple settings from a centralised control system. For example, rather than flicking multiple switches for lights, AV technology and screens, all can be done with a press of a button. These clever systems will prepare the room according to your needs and can even sense when no one is in the room, shutting off the systems and conserving power.

Reputation and Improved Business Image

Automation systems show your clients, employees and any other visitors that your business is committed to quality communication, technology and efficiency. This can go a long way when it comes to impressing potential clients and partners with productive meetings facilitated by a robust automated system in a conference room.

Automated technology can also impress in a number of other settings. Luxury hotels are a common example of a business that uses state of the art automation systems to impress guests, providing them with a unique luxury experience. This includes dimming lights, AV, heating and security, all controlled and adjusted with a simple touch of a button.

Tailored Automation Solutions for Your Business

As we move into the future, more and more companies will utilise automation technology to drive growth. Our approach at Automation Associates involves understanding how your business uses technology and space to determine how we can help create multipurpose spaces capable of supporting activities and encouraging productivity, collaboration and free thinking.

For more information about how we can help your business move forward with automation technology, explore our services or get in touch with our team.