What actually makes a workplace work? XY Sense and Airthings are answering that question by pairing real-time occupancy data with indoor air quality insights.
Understanding how offices are really used
The office has changed dramatically in just a few years. Hybrid work has made workplaces more flexible than ever, but also far less predictable. Some meeting rooms are packed all day while other areas sit empty. As companies rethink the role of the office, one question keeps coming up: what actually makes a workplace work?
For XY Sense, the answer starts with data.
Founded by CEO and Co-Founder Alex Birch, XY Sense helps organizations understand how people use their workplaces in real time through occupancy intelligence and workplace analytics.
Companies were making major real estate decisions based on assumptions, says Birch. The tools available were either inaccurate, too expensive, or focused on devices instead of people.
Today, XY Sense supports organizations in more than 30 countries, helping workplace teams make smarter decisions about office layouts, space utilization, and employee experience.
Adding air quality to the picture
But occupancy data alone only tells part of the story.
A busy meeting room may look like a success on paper, but if the air feels stale and uncomfortable, people are unlikely to do their best work there. That is why XY Sense wanted to add another important layer of workplace insight: indoor air quality.
This is where Airthings comes in.
Airthings brings in air quality data, which is a critical factor in how people experience a workplace, Birch explains. The more dimensions you can measure, the better the decisions you can make.
By combining occupancy data with air quality insights, companies get a much clearer understanding of what is happening inside their workplaces day to day. They can identify spaces that are heavily used, understand how environmental conditions affect employee comfort, and make better decisions around ventilation, maintenance, and workplace design.
Building smarter workplaces
The partnership between Airthings and XY Sense reflects a much bigger shift happening across the smart building industry. Offices are no longer expected to operate on fixed schedules and assumptions. They are becoming more dynamic, responsive, and data-driven.
Buildings will become responsive to how they’re being used, says Birch. For example, HVAC systems adjusted based on actual occupancy rather than fixed office schedules.
Together, Airthings and XY Sense are helping companies create workplaces that are not just more efficient, but also healthier, smarter, and better designed for the future of work.
