Optimizing Lab Design and Operations with IoT-Enabled Software Solutions

As laboratory environments become increasingly complex, the need for integrated digital solutions to manage and optimize these spaces is greater than ever. From real estate portfolio alignment to sustainability initiatives and compliance with regulatory standards, software solutions provide facility owners, lab managers, and design teams with valuable insights that enhance efficiency and safety.

Aligning real estate portfolios with business objectives

Laboratory developers and owners must strategically align their real estate portfolios with their business objectives, ensuring they invest in high-potential markets while optimizing existing spaces. Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) provide a centralized platform for real estate planning, delivering insights on the number and function of lab spaces, sustainability performance, and workplace utilization.

These insights allow decision-makers to assess whether their current facilities meet expansion goals or require modifications to comply with sustainability benchmarks and operational needs. Unlike fragmented solutions that operate in silos, a fully integrated IWMS platform combines data from multiple sources, facilitating holistic decision-making. With IoT capabilities embedded in these systems, organizations can even monitor and adjust energy usage in real-time, reducing costs and supporting sustainability initiatives.

“A solution like an IWMS can bring the insight to understand a company's real estate portfolio,” says Geert-Jan Blom, global director of solution marketing with Planon, a Dutch developer and supplier of software for building management including real estate and facilities management. “For instance, what are the number of buildings they own and process? What are the square meters? What are the specific functions of spaces that they have that could be labs, but could also be just regular work environments or meeting rooms, or even different types of spaces with different usage?”

Enhancing lab space utilization with workplace analytics

Maximizing lab space utilization while maintaining safety and flexibility is critical for both new construction and renovated facilities. Workplace analytics software, supported by IoT-enabled sensors, provides real-time data on space occupancy, indoor air quality, and environmental conditions. In a lab setting, where air quality directly impacts safety, these tools offer immediate insights that allow facility managers to implement necessary adjustments.

“Based on all these data and measurements, you can trigger direct actions to improve the health and safety of these environments,” says Blom, adding that the resulting analytics are ideal for future space planning and improving the well being of the end users as well as overall productivity. 

By integrating occupancy data with predictive analytics, lab planners can create adaptable work environments that support hybrid and flexible work strategies. For instance, by understanding peak occupancy times, organizations can optimize resource allocation, ensuring that lab space is used efficiently without overcrowding or underutilization.

Driving sustainability through digital solutions

Sustainability remains a core priority for laboratory design and operations, encompassing predictive maintenance, energy efficiency, and asset management. Digital solutions play a crucial role in tracking and improving the environmental performance of lab facilities.

Predictive maintenance, powered by AI and IoT, enables real-time monitoring of equipment, reducing the risk of unexpected failures and costly downtime. By anticipating maintenance needs, facility managers can extend the lifespan of assets while minimizing energy consumption. Additionally, sustainability reporting tools help organizations comply with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards by providing accurate data on energy usage, carbon footprint, and waste management strategies.

Hybrid work strategies further contribute to sustainability by reducing the need for constant heating, cooling, and lighting in underutilized spaces. By analyzing workplace usage patterns, organizations can make data-driven decisions about energy conservation measures, improving both cost efficiency and environmental impact.

Ensuring compliance with regulations and standards

Laboratories operate under strict regulatory frameworks, making compliance a key challenge for facility owners and managers. Regulations vary across different regions, adding complexity to compliance efforts, particularly for multinational organizations.

Integrated software solutions streamline compliance by maintaining a centralized database of industry standards, corporate policies, and local regulations. These platforms provide automated alerts for regulatory changes, ensuring that facilities remain up-to-date with evolving requirements. Additionally, they facilitate comprehensive reporting by integrating with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, offering a holistic view of compliance across multiple locations.

With different standards and regulations worldwide, Blom stresses the need for solutions that are “capable of integrating with other types of data sources to provide you the ability to do full reporting on all types of areas.”

Leveraging AI, machine learning, and digital twins for lab optimization

Emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and digital twins are transforming how laboratories are designed and managed. While AI adoption in lab construction is still in its early stages, digital twins have gained traction as a powerful tool for both design and operational decision-making.

A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical lab facility that integrates real-time data from IoT sensors, allowing for scenario testing, clash detection, and operational optimization. During the design and construction phase, digital twins help architects and engineers identify potential conflicts in infrastructure, such as misaligned electrical wiring or HVAC systems. Once a facility is operational, digital twins facilitate real-time monitoring of equipment performance, space utilization, and energy efficiency.

AI-driven workplace apps are also enhancing lab operations by providing real-time visibility into workspace availability, booking options, and emergency response planning. These tools allow lab personnel to locate available workspaces, collaborate more effectively, and ensure safety protocols are followed.

The integration of IoT-enabled software solutions in laboratory design and operations is revolutionizing how lab facilities are managed. From strategic real estate planning to real-time workplace analytics, predictive maintenance, and sustainability tracking, these digital solutions provide a comprehensive approach to optimizing lab environments.