Let’s be clear. We do use ceiling-mounted sensors — they’re accurate as standalone devices in certain conditions — but they’re definitely not our primary strategy for workplace utilisation.

As we discussed on the blog last year, ceiling-mounted sensors have issues.                              

It isn’t the technology itself. It’s the assumptions people make about what it can do.

You’ll often see ceiling sensors described with terms like optical, CMOS or anonymised imaging. These are essentially camera-based systems. They can still be GDPR-compliant when used correctly, but even simple factors like Power over Ethernet (PoE) connections can create unnecessary vulnerabilities for customers and staff, allowing the cameras to film them at work.

Our approach is different. Wherever possible, we use desk-level sensing which is consistently more accurate and more cost-effective in real-world use. That was true in traditional workplaces pre-COVID— and it’s even truer in today’s hybrid environments.

Ceiling sensors are many times more expensive than desk sensors, and the common claim that a single unit can replace 10 or even 20 desk sensors just doesn’t hold up.

Reflected ceiling plans, layout complexity and changing desk configurations all affect accuracy. The result is often compromised data — broad occupancy counts instead of actionable utilisation insights.

It might be tempting to see them as “good enough” but the fact is they don’t deliver the precision you need to drive confident workplace decisions. And without accurate data, the chances of making costly mistakes are vastly increased.

Our system delivers the highest level of GDPR-safe data at a significantly lower overall cost, with faster implementation and no hidden upgrades. And when competitors say you don’t need granular data at this stage, we think it’s fair to ask: Does that mean they can’t provide it, or that it’ll cost extra later?

With our technology and experience of deployment, you choose the level of granularity that suits your goals — from day one, and without paying more.