Client

Business optimization

The average person spends 2,000 hours per year at work, equivalent to 80 days. During this time, the adverse effects of a negative microclimate will impact health and productivity. Furthermore, it significantly slows down business processes and increases company costs. For example, a work meeting in a stuffy room tends to last longer than a meeting in a well-ventilated space. Even just an extra minute of work time multiplied by the number of employees involved can cost a company a considerable amount of money.

We encountered this problem at one of Ajax Systems' offices in Kyiv. We wondered if our equipment could increase team productivity and optimize business processes. What we found was that the LifeQuality smart air quality monitor could save us over $1 million. And that was just in the first few months.

Problem

Working meetings are crucial to the daily operations of the Ajax Systems team. Strategic and operational issues are resolved in the meeting room. That's why we started researching how different working conditions can affect productivity a few years ago. And one of the key determinants is carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration.

Air is a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, and other components, including carbon dioxide. The latter is measured in parts per million (ppm). Exceeding CO2 levels impairs concentration and mental function, and reduces productivity and work efficiency.

CO2 levels increase when there are 10 or more people in the room. Under such conditions, employees are unable to process their thoughts; they yawn and feel tired. Everyone wants to go outside for some fresh air and another cup of coffee. Furthermore, they are easily distracted by conversations.

CO2 levels	Symptoms of impact
Up to 450 ppm	Average CO2 levels outdoors
Up to 1000 ppm	Acceptable levels of CO2 in the home
1001-1399 ppm	Air quality levels can cause eye irritation, sore/dry throat, nasal congestion/stuffy nose/runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.
1400-1999 ppm	Headache, dizziness, fatigue
2000+ ppm	Wheezing, dry throat, difficulty concentrating
2500+ ppm	A significant decline in decision-making performance.

We observed signs of increased CO2 levels in the Ajax System office. This issue was most evident in the meeting rooms. As a result, business meetings and brainstorming sessions became longer and less effective.

To address this problem, offices use air conditioning. Air conditioners don't provide fresh air; they take air from the room and return it, now at a cooler temperature. The feeling of cold can boost energy, but only temporarily.

AC units do not use outside air. Ventilation systems draw in outside air to keep the indoor air fresh.

In the Ajax Systems office, the ventilation system operates on a timer. It automatically turns on for 30 minutes every hour. Air quality data has become particularly important. Therefore, we began designing a detector to assess air quality dynamics.

This led to LifeQuality, an innovative air quality monitoring device with temperature, humidity, and CO2 sensors. Long before its release, we tested the detector in our office. Before LifeQuality, CO2 levels in our meeting room fluctuated between 1200 and 2500 ppm, and even higher.

Challenge

To find solutions for controlling and maintaining optimal CO₂ concentrations in open spaces and meeting rooms.

Location

Ajax Systems' manufacturing facilities, laboratories, and several large open spaces are located on the site of a former garment factory. It now serves as our office center. This is where our engineers simulate weather conditions such as wind, rain, snow, extreme temperatures, fire, and flooding to test Ajax equipment.

The office has a capacity of approximately 800 employees and the building spans a total area of ​​8,000 square meters. There are 18 meeting rooms, numbered 1 to 4, on each floor.

The building is leased, so we can't make any changes to the architecture and infrastructure. In fact, some rooms don't even have windows for natural ventilation. When Ajax Systems moved into this office, we needed to upgrade the air conditioning equipment.

Previously, Ajax Systems employees manually controlled the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Automation needed to be improved. Therefore, we began searching for an efficient solution to assess air quality and increase team productivity.

Solution

The automatic ventilation system features a LifeQuality smart air quality monitor and Ajax automation technology.

We installed dozens of LifeQuality units in our office and integrated them with WallSwitch and Relay buttons and relays. CO2 concentration, temperature, and humidity are displayed in the Room tab in the Ajax application.

Each meeting room has at least one LifeQuality device. Ten LifeQuality devices are installed in the open space. Offices and kitchens are now also equipped with air quality monitors.

If the CO2 level exceeds the set value, the office manager will receive a notification in the Ajax application. Automation devices are activated and the ventilation system starts.

Automation script

LifeQuality supports the following scenario types: based on temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentration.

Users can configure air quality indicators with scenarios tailored to different situations.

The remote power control device restarts the HVAC system when a certain indicator reaches a critical level. This helps to remove stale air.

The supply ventilation system begins supplying oxygen-rich air if any monitor displays a CO₂ level above 1000 ppm. The ventilation system will automatically shut off if the readings on all monitors fall below 800 ppm.

By using scenarios, you can integrate various household appliances into the system to control the microclimate. For example, you can connect a humidifier to a Smart Plug and run it according to a scenario.

Chart

The charts and history in the Ajax application help understand air quality dynamics. They show the trend of selected air quality values ​​over the past hour, day, week, month, or year. The Ajax system stores this data on the Ajax Cloud server for up to two years.

Charts help to visually compare data. If air quality improves in the evening compared to the morning, it can be presented as a useful infographic.

Result

Automated air quality monitoring helps speed up the company's decision-making process.

Ajax Systems saved over $1 million by optimizing its workflow with LifeQuality.

Our staff productivity has increased. We can now manage dozens more working hours each month. Staff have more time to address issues in meetings and brainstorming sessions.

Now, every employee can check air quality without accessing the app — simply by tapping an icon on the screen. LEDs instantly indicate the air quality level in the room:

• The green LED lights up - 0-1000 pages/minute

• The yellow LED light illuminates - 1001-1399 pages/minute

Now, seeing red or purple LED lights in the Ajax System office is nearly impossible. The average air quality level does not exceed the green zone. The ventilation system is activated when CO₂ concentrations reach critical levels during lunchtime. The air is quickly saturated with oxygen, and the LED lights turn back to green.

We addressed several issues simultaneously:

• Real-time CO2 concentration monitoring has been implemented in the office.

• Establish a system to maintain optimal CO2 concentrations;

• We have optimized business processes and increased team productivity.

• It has provided a high-performing team through faster decision-making.

• Bacteria and viruses cannot survive in air, which is constantly being renewed. An internal survey revealed that employees install smart air quality monitors at home for personal use.

Respiratory infections are transmitted through droplets with a diameter of <5 μm, formed during breathing. These droplets do not settle to surfaces as quickly as when sneezing or coughing. They remain airborne for longer. Ventilation systems provide continuous air movement and exchange within a room. This prevents the buildup of aerosols with airborne pathogens.

Where to use LifeQuality:

• Offices and co-working spaces, shopping malls;

• Educational institutions, technology parks, museums, and other infrastructure;

• Entertainment venues, sports clubs, beauty salons, restaurants, etc.

• Various public areas.