Innovation lies at the heart of Planon's core values. But what exactly does it mean to be innovative? For us, innovation is constantly seeking out fresh ideas and creative solutions, always pushing the boundaries of what's possible. It entails not only adopting new solutions for existing technologies but also delving into the realms of novel cutting-edge technology and IoT applications. At the centre of this quest is our Innovation Lab, based in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, where we turn bold concepts into reality.
One of the more recent game-changing innovations in the real estate and facilities management sector is the Internet of Things (IoT), a development that caters to the growing demand for real-time data to streamline building operations. But it's not just about gadgets and gizmos; it’s about creating a seamless network where devices, building users, and business processes work together. IoT-enabled platforms play a vital role in managing the connectivity between devices, acting as the cohesive element that binds the software and hardware of IoT technologies together.
Needless to say, for impeccable data collection from a multitude of assets and equipment and delivering instantaneous insights high-quality sensors are required. So, it won’t come as a surprise that our Innovation Lab is a hub for sensor comparison. Every sensor is rigorously examined, evaluated, and compared to understand its strengths and how it can best serve customers’ unique needs. Our team’s meticulous approach based on independent examination and practical use cases, ensures that our account managers and sales consultants can guide our customers towards the optimal solution for their problem.
When it comes to testing sensors, collaboration is key. The Lab works closely together with sensor manufacturers, providing them with valuable feedback to refine their designs. Many partners, aware of the innovative work we do at the Lab, come to us with their sensor prototypes. This not only safeguards an independent examination of their prototypes but ensures that these sensors will be seamlessly integrated with the fully IoT-enabled Planon software. It is truly a win-win-win situation, where Planon, our partners and customers benefit from the exchange of knowledge and resources.
The Innovation Lab team does much more than just testing sensors. They’re always exploring the latest technologies, often providing solutions for problems customers haven’t even anticipated. Moreover, there is a short link between the customer and the Innovation Lab. If an account manager or sales consultant notices that one of their customers struggles with a certain problem, they will bring in the Innovation Lab to find a solution for the problem. One such case arose with a customer who had problems with Legionella. Their requirement to test and safeguard the cleanliness and safety of their pipes unearthed a market need. The Planon Innovation Lab came up with a solution which was implemented into the Planon software. The Lab ensures that all innovations are integrated into the Planon ecosystem after thorough testing, extending the software’s capabilities with new innovations.
There is no such a thing as ‘too innovative’ for the Planon Innovation Lab. If the software doesn’t exist, they develop it. If the hardware doesn’t exist, they 3D-print it. This way Planon remains at the forefront of technology, software and the IoT market, and explores uncharted territories in the world of smart sustainable building management. The Innovation Lab doesn’t just come up with solutions to today’s problems, it provides solutions to the problems of the future.
