FAQ
Questions? Answers.
Employees and privacy
What will our employees say?
We only measure whether a desk is occupied – no cameras, no personal data. We provide a template for informing staff. Experience shows the figures tend to build trust, because discussions about space become objective.
Is the measurement anonymous?
Yes. The sensor detects movement with a passive infrared sensor. The data is not personal. The platform does not allow labels that could identify individuals, such as "Desk John Smith".
Where personally assigned desks are measured, we apply an additional anonymisation process. thingdust does not store or process any personal data.
We already have booking data.
Bookings show intention, not reality. Booked but empty rooms are the biggest blind spot – and that is exactly what thingdust makes visible.
Technology and IT
Do we need our IT department?
No. The sensors communicate over a dedicated LoRa network. The gateway contains a SIM card and transmits via the mobile network; it only needs power. If you wish, you can pull the data into your own systems via API.
What does the sensor measure?
Movement, using a passive infrared sensor (PIR). It only sees objects with a temperature difference moving within its detection range.
Which network does thingdust use?
LoRaWAN, a radio network designed for the Internet of Things. It transmits very small data packets over long distances and enables the long battery life. The sensor has no open internet access; it can only send its measurements to thingdust.
How long does the battery last, and can I change it myself?
The current sensor generation with two batteries runs for four years or more. They are standard CR123 batteries; the housing can be opened without specialist knowledge. The sensor then reconnects automatically.
What is Xovis for?
Xovis people counters above the entrances count people in open areas without fixed places, such as workshops or entrance areas. They work optically (3D camera, processed on the device) and need a network connection; only counts reach the thingdust dashboard. More under Integrations.
What can the sensor be used for?
Desks and individual seats, meeting rooms, phone booths, lounges and other rooms.
Platform and process
How do we access the platform?
You receive your own link. There you enter your company e-mail and receive a one-time access code, provided your address or domain has been approved. The platform runs in any modern browser, on phone, tablet and laptop.
What happens after the measurement?
We remove the sensors – or they stay on as a live display and keep measuring. That way you can see after a refurbishment whether the new layout works.
How long until the first results?
Installation usually takes one day. First patterns are visible after about four weeks; the final report follows after the agreed measurement period.