UX/UI | BRAND DEVELOPMENT | GRAPHIC DESIGN
THE SPACE ACTIVITY MATRIX & THE ASK SAM AI FEATURE
At FM:Systems/Johnson Controls, I contributed to the UI design of the Space Activity Matrix and it's "Ask SAM" AI feature , collaborating closely with a cross‑functional team. This forward‑looking feature sits at the intersection of utilization analytics, AI‑assisted decision‑making, and portfolio‑level strategy within the FM:Systems + OpenBlue ecosystem.
WHAT IS THE SPACE ACTIVITY MATRIX?
The Space Activity Matrix is an analytics tool within OpenBlue Insights (formerly FMS:Insights) that visualizes how different spaces across a building or portfolio are being used. It maps space types against activity patterns, giving leaders a fast, intuitive way to understand whether their environments support the work people actually do.
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A recent OpenBlue demo highlights that the matrix is dynamically generated through AskSAM, the AI chatbot that can build the matrix on demand based on natural‑language questions like “What’s my average utilization by space type?”.
WHAT IS THE ASK SAM AI SOLUTION?
The Ask SAM AI function is essentially the natural‑language interface for the Space Activity Matrix inside OpenBlue Insights. It lets users talk to their utilization data instead of manually configuring dashboards.
HOW THE SPACE ACTIVITY MATRIX CAME TO LIFE
The FM:Systems Space Activity Matrix was born from the company’s vision to help organisations make smarter, data-driven decisions about their workplaces.
Building on FM:Systems’ early innovations in space forecasting, the Matrix was developed to address modern challenges like hybrid work and sustainability. It provides a visual, intuitive way to categorise spaces by activity type and measure real-time utilisation, enabling businesses to optimise space allocation, reduce costs, and enhance employee experience—all through actionable insights and integrated technology.
HOW ASKSAM AI WAS BORN WITHIN THE SPACE ACTIVITY MATRIX
The AskSAM AI feature in FM:Systems’ Space Activity Matrix was created to make workplace analytics more intuitive and accessible.
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Originally inspired by the rise of generative AI and natural language processing, FM:Systems introduced AskSAM as a conversational tool that allows users to query space utilisation data in plain language. Instead of navigating complex dashboards, facility managers can simply ask questions like “What’s my average utilisation by space type?” and receive instant, actionable insights.
This innovation reflects FM:Systems’ commitment to real-time decision-making, hybrid work optimisation, and user-friendly technology within the OpenBlue ecosystem.
THE SPACE ACTIVITY MATRIX/ASK SAM FEATURE UI UPDATE
Following Johnson Controls’ acquisition of FM:Systems, the FMS:Insights product was completely rebuilt and reskinned to align with the OpenBlue Element Design System. The update delivered a cleaner, more consistent, and intuitive experience, featuring the Space Activity Matrix and the AskSam AI capability.
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These enhancements improved navigation, boosted usability, and ensured alignment with JCI’s modern design standards—resulting in higher user satisfaction and simplified long-term maintenance.
