{"id":17348,"date":"2026-09-08T17:19:07","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T17:19:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/creating-the-intelligent-workplace-experience-a-connected-workplace-blueprint\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T17:19:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T17:19:07","slug":"creating-the-intelligent-workplace-experience-a-connected-workplace-blueprint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/creating-the-intelligent-workplace-experience-a-connected-workplace-blueprint\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating the Intelligent Workplace Experience: A Connected Workplace Blueprint"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/online-workshops-list\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-496\" src=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png\" alt=\"Retail Online Training\" width=\"729\" height=\"91\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png 729w, https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90-300x37.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\" \/><\/a><\/p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>At Cisco, we don\u2019t just sell networking, security, and collaboration technologies, we live them. Our offices around the world serve as proving grounds where we deploy the solutions we bring to market, using them to create better employee experiences while addressing the same operational realities faced by real estate and facilities teams everywhere. What has made the biggest difference for us is the data generated from the connected technologies in our workplaces, giving us the ability to validate assumptions, uncover patterns, and make more informed decisions about how our workplaces operate and evolve.<\/p>\n<p>Between the strain of\u00a0increased bandwidth\u00a0and network traffic\u00a0on legacy systems, the rise of sophisticated security threats, and\u00a0the\u00a0global skills shortage, the old way of managing IT in silos simply\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0keep up with how people work today. By\u00a0unifying our core\u00a0workplace\u00a0technologies on a single\u00a0platform,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0doing more than just keeping the lights on.\u00a0We\u2019re\u00a0building a foundation that protects\u00a0users\u00a0and turns our offices into intelligent\u00a0assets\u00a0that\u00a0IT and\u00a0Real\u00a0Estate teams can use to\u00a0drive\u00a0the\u00a0operational efficiencies and optimizations needed to fuel better business outcomes.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Living Lab: Penn One<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_494721\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-494721\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy lazy-hidden wp-image-494721\" data-lazy-type=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/gcs\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2026\/07\/NYC1_eCafe_1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A modern, vibrant office cafe area with a large white table, blue chairs, a geometric patterned wall, and a distinctive, flowing circular light fixture overhead.\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-494721\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/gcs\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2026\/07\/NYC1_eCafe_1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A modern, vibrant office cafe area with a large white table, blue chairs, a geometric patterned wall, and a distinctive, flowing circular light fixture overhead.\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-494721\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Penn 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0arrive here overnight. Six years ago, as hybrid work became the new norm, we made a bold decision with our Penn One office in New York: to rethink workplace architecture by placing\u00a0technology at the core of both the physical build and the employee experience.\u00a0Traditionally, technology was an\u00a0afterthought\u00a0of the build, retrofitted\u00a0post\u00a0construction. At Penn One, we flipped that model;\u00a0the network became the foundation\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0building\u2019s\u00a0nervous system. It connects smart sensors, automated lighting, HVAC,\u00a0wayfinding,\u00a0and collaboration devices, enabling us to build the space and experience around technology, not the other way around.<\/p>\n<p>By leveraging our wireless and camera innovations, Penn One became a unified sensory platform. Our IT stack evolved from simply providing connectivity to gathering thousands of real-time data points per second on how our spaces function. Having all this data at our fingertips has given us the visibility into office use, navigation, and potential anomalies across office temperature or air quality that we didn\u2019t have before. This puts us in a better position to move beyond guesswork and make data-informed decisions to improve our workplace environment. Ultimately, the integration of the technology onto a single platform in the New York office, combined with a significant reduction of space and the adoption of Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting\u00a0\u00a0allowed us to eliminate thousands of pounds of steel and copper wiring, achieve $360K in cost avoidance through the PoE deployment, and reduce energy expenses by 36%. And that is just scratching the surface, as we look to continually evolve the space.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The platform approach: How it works<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Our\u00a0Future-proofed\u00a0Workplace approach integrates secure networking, collaboration devices, smart building technology, and AI-enhanced platforms to create flexible, resilient, and sustainable environments. By connecting PoE solutions,\u00a0Cisco\u00a0Wi-Fi access points, cameras, and collaboration devices into a single sensory network via Cisco Spaces, we enable seamless collaboration and productivity\u00a0for a better onsite experience.\u00a0This unified data stream\u00a0has\u00a0two critical advantages:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Efficiency\u00a0&amp; Cost Savings<\/strong>:\u202fBuilding management systems respond dynamically to real-time occupancy,\u00a0focusing\u00a0power, heating, and cooling only where needed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A Frictionless Experience<\/strong>:\u202fEmployees and visitors can use real-time digital maps to find available desks and meeting rooms, delivering a seamless experience and improving workplace satisfaction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Scaling the blueprint: A global portfolio<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_494722\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-494722\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy lazy-hidden wp-image-494722\" data-lazy-type=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/gcs\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2026\/07\/Milan-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Milan.jpg: A bright, open-plan office in Milan featuring a unique wave-patterned ceiling, a large wooden conference table, and floor-to-ceiling windows with a city view.\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-494722\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/gcs\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2026\/07\/Milan-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Milan.jpg: A bright, open-plan office in Milan featuring a unique wave-patterned ceiling, a large wooden conference table, and floor-to-ceiling windows with a city view.\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-494722\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Milan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This blueprint has been our North Star, enabling us to scale with speed and intention. Over the past five years,\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0completed more than 30 capital projects worldwide, treating IT infrastructure as the primary architectural layer and tailoring each location to specific business outcomes.\u00a0For example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Atlanta (2023)<\/strong>:\u202fDesigned next to Georgia Tech University to attract and develop engineering talent.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paris (2023)<\/strong>:\u202fIntegrated sustainable building standards and advanced technology into a historic 1820s residence\u00a0that served\u00a0as a product\u00a0showcase\u00a0during\u00a0the 2024 Paris\u00a0Olympics\u00a0and now stands as one of our premier customer\u00a0experience\u00a0centers in the region.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Milan (2025)<\/strong>:\u202fAchieved a 35% reduction in lighting power through smart lighting controls and sensors, achieving operational cost savings while advancing our\u00a0global sustainability goals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>London (2025)<\/strong>:\u202fLaunched our first neuroinclusive workspace,\u00a0allowing\u00a0employees to customize environments to their sensory needs\u00a0with a tech-enabled\u00a0design that resulted\u00a0in 16% energy savings over standard code.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_494724\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-494724\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy lazy-hidden wp-image-494724\" data-lazy-type=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/gcs\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2026\/07\/Bangalore_Alt-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A comfortable office lounge area featuring brown leather armchairs, a grey sofa, and a large patterned area rug, accented by woven pendant lights, indoor plants, and a gallery wall of framed art.\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-494724\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/gcs\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2026\/07\/Bangalore_Alt-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A comfortable office lounge area featuring brown leather armchairs, a grey sofa, and a large patterned area rug, accented by woven pendant lights, indoor plants, and a gallery wall of framed art.\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-494724\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bangalore<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There\u2019s\u00a0also our\u00a0legacy site in\u00a0<strong>Bangalore,\u00a0India<\/strong>\u00a0which\u00a0exemplifies our \u201cCampus Refresh\u201d model.\u00a0More than a technology upgrade, the transition to a single, unified, secure network\u00a0opened up\u00a0two\u00a0critical real estate capabilities around workplace planning and operations that can be extended to other sites:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Right-sizing meeting rooms<\/strong>: As we modernize our floors, we use Cisco video device data to analyze the demand for rooms based on their size and capacity versus the supply of what\u2019s available to ensure the right rooms are in the right places across 50+ floors.<br \/>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Optimizing building usage<\/strong>:\u202fWe discovered that\u00a0Wi-Fi login data\u00a0and\u00a0built-in\u00a0occupancy sensors\u00a0provide granular visibility into floor usage\u00a0and space\u00a0utilization,\u00a0which can enable\u00a0energy preloads and system use to align with actual traffic patterns.\u00a0Now that the capability is realized, if implemented,\u00a0we estimate that\u00a0it\u00a0could yield 5.5% energy savings, equating to ~$300K\/year locally\u00a0in\u00a0the Bangalore\u00a0site\u00a0and ~$2.5M\/year globally.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>These local\u00a0successes\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0just isolated wins; they\u00a0represent\u00a0a fundamental shift in how we\u00a0manage\u00a0our global portfolio.\u00a0By moving from intuition to data-backed decisions,\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0been able to scale our strategy\u00a0quickly.\u00a0The global results of this transformation are clear:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Optimized footprint and savings<\/strong>:\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0achieved\u00a016% reduction in our global real estate\u00a0footprint \u2013 from\u00a0approximately 18M\u00a0to\u00a015M square feet\u00a0\u2013\u00a0which has helped to drive over $100M in annual\u00a0global OPEX savings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Space built for collaboration<\/strong>:\u00a0Better visibility into how our teams actually work and how they use the space has influenced our\u00a0workplace design standards.\u00a0Whereas before,\u00a0the majority of\u00a0the\u00a0workplace\u00a0was dedicated to individual focus areas,\u00a0in the last six years,\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0flipped our space composition\u00a0and reimagined floor plans to include 40% more collaborative space\u00a0to support the face-to-face work employees often come in to do.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Energy performance and wellbeing<\/strong>:\u00a0We\u2019ve\u00a0made high-performance\u00a0standards\u00a0a core design requirement, pursuing WELL and LEED certifications across our portfolio.\u00a0Our 14 most recent capital projects\u00a0that pursued LEED or WELL certification\u00a0are modeled to use 19% less energy than standard code. This was\u00a0achieved\u00a0by integrating\u00a0our building management systems (BMS), lighting, occupancy\u00a0sensors\u00a0and other technology\u00a0to\u00a0optimize\u00a0both our environmental footprint and the well-being of our people.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Beyond the tech: Designing for connection<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy lazy-hidden alignright wp-image-494733\" data-lazy-type=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/gcs\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2026\/07\/7.-HR-IT-Real-Estate-Image-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"An infographic titled &quot;Intelligent Workplace Experiences,&quot; illustrating the interconnected roles of People (HR), Technology (IT), and Places (CRE).\" width=\"711\" height=\"400\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-494733\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/gcs\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2026\/07\/7.-HR-IT-Real-Estate-Image-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"An infographic titled &quot;Intelligent Workplace Experiences,&quot; illustrating the interconnected roles of People (HR), Technology (IT), and Places (CRE).\" width=\"711\" height=\"400\"\/><\/noscript>Despite these successes, workplace transformation cannot happen in silos. For too long, Real Estate, HR, and IT operated independently, creating friction in a hybrid world. Our strategy anchors at the intersection of three partners:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Place (Corporate\u00a0Real Estate)<\/strong>:\u202fDesigning spaces that support collaboration, learning, and focus.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Platform (IT):<\/strong>\u202fUsing technology to measure, manage, and\u00a0optimize\u00a0environments.<\/li>\n<li><strong>People (HR)<\/strong>:\u202fDefining the purpose of space to support well-being, learning, and growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Technology\u00a0enables but\u00a0leadership\u00a0is\u00a0the catalyst. Our most successful offices\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0those with the most\u00a0sensors,\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0where leaders\u00a0are intentional about why they are bringing their teams together.\u00a0Yes,\u00a0collaboration, learning, and culture top that list, but\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0more than that.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0really about\u00a0accelerating decision making, onboarding faster,\u00a0facilitating\u00a0knowledge transfer\u00a0(both for learning and innovation), and building trust. These are the activities that can\u00a0benefit\u00a0from face-to-face time, and with the\u00a0tech-enabled\u00a0visibility\u00a0into\u00a0how\u00a0the spaces are used, we can\u00a0ensure\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0providing\u00a0enough of the\u00a0right types of environments\u00a0that best support these activities.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The journey ahead: Operationalizing data<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>We\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have all the answers\u00a0yet\u00a0and the truth is,\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0still so much to\u00a0uncover\u00a0with all the data we\u00a0can now access.\u00a0While we have\u00a0identified\u00a0use cases\u00a0where we can\u00a0improve efficiencies\u00a0or reduce costs,\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0only just begun\u00a0exploring\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0viable.<\/p>\n<p>The next phase is harnessing\u00a0it\u00a0so we can\u00a0actually operationalize\u00a0it,\u00a0and\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0looking\u00a0to\u00a0AI and\u00a0predictive models to\u00a0support capabilities\u00a0like\u00a0forecasting\u00a0demand\u00a0and attendance\u00a0more\u00a0precisely,\u00a0and\u00a0early detection of\u00a0maintenance\u00a0irregularities. This will allow us to plan services like catering and janitorial based on\u00a0near-real-time occupancy rather than static\u00a0schedules,\u00a0and\u00a0deploy maintenance more proactively to avoid\u00a0infrastructure failures and\u00a0downtime costs.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve\u00a0already started this work\u00a0in\u00a0our\u00a0Research Triangle Park campus in North Carolina\u00a0where\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0piloting AI-driven analytics across building systems to shift from reactive maintenance\u00a0response.\u00a0By deploying advanced analytics across our\u00a0building\u00a0management\u00a0system\u00a0and\u00a0leveraging\u00a0AI to analyze data from over 1,300 assets like chillers, air handling\u00a0units, and ventilation systems, we aimed to\u202fidentify\u202finefficiencies in real-time and reduce our energy footprint.<\/p>\n<p>An early finding identified more than $185K in annualized savings in just four months by fine-tuning operations such as fan speeds during unoccupied hours, correcting overcooling issues in labs and offices and accelerating work order completion. This is just one example of how we\u2019re testing and optimizing to provide a comprehensive blueprint that eventually can help our customers and support IT leaders in solving their Real Estate and HR teams\u2019 biggest workplace challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Gone are the days\u00a0where\u00a0the workplace was the primary place where work got done. Today,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a choice that employees will only make if they see the value it delivers for their career and\u00a0their work. Their expectations\u00a0are higher, and to meet them, the investments IT leaders make must go beyond merely\u00a0enabling virtual and hybrid meetings; they must create an environment that actively supports the activities that make\u00a0coming together worthwhile.\u00a0When connected and intentional, these investments become\u00a0the foundation for\u00a0a more agile, responsive business\u00a0that can adapt to\u00a0evolving work practices and meaningful collaboration.\u00a0By treating the network as a sensory platform and stepping into a strategic partnership role, IT leaders shift workplace management from intuition to insight, unlocking the full potential of a truly intelligent workplace experience that drives measurable business outcomes.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p>Learn more:<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/online-workshops-list\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-496\" src=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png\" alt=\"Retail Online Training\" width=\"729\" height=\"91\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png 729w, https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90-300x37.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\" \/><\/a><\/p><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At Cisco, we don\u2019t just sell networking, security, and collaboration technologies, we live them. Our offices around the world serve as proving grounds where we [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17349,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17348"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17348\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}