INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Software for Business

CORT ( Community of Refuge Trust ) is a community and affordable housing provider that operates more than 400 medium density properties , home to more than 550 people , in Auckland , with over 100 more dwellings under development .

According to Stephen Hart , Operations Manager at CORT , the non-government , not-for-profit ( NFP ) organization saw an opportunity to leverage affordable and sustainable technology solutions and the data these offer to better understand the living conditions in its dwellings .

CORT selected Tether ’ s EnviroQ solution , comprising battery-powered devices and powerful analytics software , allowing it to improve IAQ and ventilation by monitoring temperature , humidity , carbon dioxide ( CO ₂

) levels , light and noise , among other factors . The data from the smart IoT devices is communicated across Thinxtra ’ s 0G Network , which uses Sigfox ’ s low power Wide Area Network ( LPWAN ) technology .

“ Community and affordable housing must be treated with the same on-going care , maintenance and investment as other residential and commercial developments , not forgotten after construction ,” said Stephen Hart , Operations Manager at CORT . “ The NZ Building Code outlines regulatory requirements to maintain safe , healthy and durable dwellings , but the framework alone doesn ’ t ensure these conditions are actually met in the real world .”

“ With Tether and Thinxtra ’ s combined IoT technologies , we are increasing the depth of our knowledge of the living conditions in each home , far beyond that which we could glean from only observing and speaking with tenants . That information is also passed back to the occupants of our buildings , fostering a partnership where we have a chance to proactively discuss improvements should there be a need .”

CORT has commenced installing two sensors inside individual properties , with a third on the outside to allow for comparisons . Information from the devices is provided to CORT ’ s team through Tether ’ s mobile and web applications , containing dashboards that offer a real-time view into living conditions .

Sensors are connected to and communicate data over Thinxtra ’ s national 0G network , eliminating the need for CORT to build a dedicated network or invest in maintenance . As the sensors are battery-powered , they do not draw power from homes , and only need to be replaced once every five years . “ The property sector is a case of contrasts , whereby so much money is spent on developing apartments and houses , and so little is invested to understand the potential impacts of living in them ,” said Sam Blackmore , Chief Operating Officer at Tether . “ CORT is taking a leading position by not only providing high quality dwellings , but also equipping them with leveraging low power , low cost IoT devices to establish a knowledge base that keeps residents healthier and more comfortable all year-round .”

The Thinxtra-powered EnviroQ solution will also help CORT manage unforeseen challenges resulting from climate change . With granular data on internal and external environments , the NFP can ensure conditions in Auckland ’ s typically wellinsulated homes , designed to cater for winters without using excessive energy , are performing equally throughout consistently hotter summer months . p

www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO APAC 71