Honeywell has shown off yet another way companies can make use of the growing amount of data generated by sensor-equipped buildings.

The new Vector Space Sense solution uses data from passive infrared sensors to analyse occupancy levels of buildings.

While Honeywell software-launched the tool in mid-2018, it stepped up promotion of the technology by demonstrating it to media this week.

Honeywell’s sales pitch is that Vector Space Sense can help organisations save money and improve the comfort of employees. The software presents a floor plan, with a heap map showing usage of each space. If larger meeting rooms aren’t being used, for example, companies could turn them into offices or smaller meetings rooms.

The software also tracks when employees enter and leave the building, allowing companies to reduce costs by fine-tuning heating, cooling and lighting.

Honeywell sees products like this becoming increasingly important as building managers become overwhelmed by IOT data, and as companies grapple with how to use it to benefit their businesses.

In addition to Vector Space Sense, Honeywell’s provides broader analytics platform called Outcome Based Services. The goal is to alert managers to faults faster and reduce the need for unnecessary maintenance.

Honeywell's suite also includes the Command and Control Suite, which streamlines the task of managing buildings by layering data from sensors on a floor map. As building managers zoom-in, they’ll see more information from door locks, plant temperature sensors, fire systems and other systems.

The system also automates and orchestrates responses to emergencies and generates reports. It provides scripted steps to follow in the event of a fire or other emergency - such as alerting emergency services and unlocking doors. It also displays relevant feeds from devices such as smoke detectors and security cameras.