Understanding Solve Tags: The Foundation of Smart Workplace Support

Before diving into implementation, it's crucial to understand what makes Solve unique. Solve tags are physical touchpoints attached to designated, functional areas within your building - the spaces and equipment that provide measurable value to occupants and your organisation. Think of them as the connection points or plug-and-play interfaces to the Solve platform for the users of the asset in question, meeting rooms, workstations, collaboration areas, phone booths, lounges, tea stations, restrooms, lobbies, print bays, etc.

Each tag transforms an asset into a smart support hub where occupants can instantly report issues, request help, or access information. No app downloads, no complex steps—just immediate support when and where it's needed.

Follow a simple What, Where, and Who process for a swift, straightforward Solve setup.  

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Step 1: Define Your "What" - Asset Selection & Use Case Planning

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Choose assets strategically. Which assets will you onboard?

Implementation success depends on selecting the right assets. Start with these critical questions:

What type of assets will you tag? Begin with high-traffic areas and frequently used equipment. Coffee machines, printers, meeting rooms, toilets, and collaborative spaces are ideal starting points because they are frequently used.

What are the likely scenarios an end user will encounter while interacting with the asset?  

Let’s take meeting rooms as an example. Is cleaning required? Need assistance to connect to AV? Lights malfunctioning? Or maybe request catering. These are likely scenarios to be considered.  

Predicting scenarios and providing end users with location-aware, location-specific scenarios simplifies reporting. Understanding the "what" ensures you're solving real needs, not just adding technology for technology's sake.

What issues occur most frequently with this asset?  

With Solve, every building occupant becomes a sensor (nothing Orwellian in this) and interacting with a tag becomes second nature. Getting a live or historical bird’s-eye view of all requests on a floor plan is a simple yet powerful way to identify hotspots at a glance.  

Understanding where recurring issues occur is key to switching from a reactive to a proactive stance.

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‍Step 2: Plan Your "Where" - Strategic Tag Placement & Routing

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Optimise tag placement for maximum impact

Physical placement of Solve tags can make or break adoption. A poorly placed tag will be ignored, while a strategic one becomes second nature.  

Consider these placement options:

Direct Asset Placement: Mount tags on equipment or furniture—such as printers, coffee machines, and meeting room displays—to create an immediate association between asset and support.

Proximity Placement: When direct mounting isn't feasible - perhaps due to surface material or asset size - position tags on nearby walls or surfaces within arm's reach. This approach works well for large assets or areas where the asset itself isn't suitable for tagging.

Signage Integration: Incorporate tags into existing information boards. This method is particularly effective for general area support, lobbies, and common areas where you want to provide broader assistance rather than asset-specific help.

Critical Placement Considerations

Prioritise visibility. A hidden or hard-to-find tag is ignored. Place tags at eye level, in well-lit, visible locations.

Considering placing tags on metal surfaces? Metal can interfere with NFC technology, so please consult with us in advance. We can provide tags that work on metal surfaces.

Outdoor placement? We offer tags that withstand weather, temperature shifts, and UV.

Room-by-Room Placement Guide

Bathrooms: Mount tags on mirrors at eye level, where they're immediately visible upon entry, or in cubicles behind doors.

Meeting Rooms: Position tags on table edges, ideally near displays or seating. Anyone can report projector, AC, or setup issues without disruption. In larger rooms, use up to 5 tags linked to the same asset, placed in visible spots. You can also place tags for specific items, such as one near the screen for AV support.  

In meeting rooms, we recommend 1x standard Solve tag in middle of meeting table + 1 x A5 or A4 sized tag mounted beside door to the room around where a light switch might generally live.

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General Workspaces: For open-plan areas, consider placing tags on collaborative furniture, near shared equipment, or at workstation clusters, where they serve multiple desks without cluttering.

Kitchens and Tea Stations: The coffee machine is prime real estate for Solve tags. It's a high-traffic area where issues are immediately noticeable - and immediately frustrating. People waiting for their morning coffee are a captive audience, making this the perfect spot for consistent engagement.  And an empty machine, a lack of milk or no clean mugs can immediately affect the mood, and not in a great way.  

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Why Placement Matters: The Foundation of Adoption and Workplace Happiness

Strategic tag placement isn't merely about convenience; it's the cornerstone of successful adoption and, ultimately, a happier workplace. When tags are positioned thoughtfully, reporting issues becomes effortless. Occupants don't need to remember where to find support; it's right there when they need it.

This ease of use creates a powerful feedback loop. When reporting is simple, people actually report problems. When problems are reported promptly, your facilities and support team can address them before they escalate. When issues are resolved quickly, occupants feel heard and valued. This sense of responsiveness transforms workplace culture from reactive firefighting to proactive care.

Visible tags generate valuable data that would otherwise stay hidden; each scan reveals which assets need attention, which areas have the most issues, and where to allocate your facilities budget. This allows for decisions that improve workplace experience.

Poor placement leads to underuse, missed improvements, and outdated reporting. When tags are hard to find or scan, people fall back on old habits—emails, phone calls, post-its, or silence as frustration grows.

The placement of Solve tags directly affects the quantity and quality of feedback. When placed well, issues are addressed quickly, occupants feel empowered, and your team works efficiently. This produces a happier, more productive workplace for everyone.

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