Smart desk hardware compared: Schiavello, CMS Engage and Floorsense

In short: Nura Space integrates with three smart desk hardware ranges: Schiavello, CMS Engage and Floorsense. All three let people check in at the desk with an access card, show whether a desk is free and switch desk power on only when someone is there. They differ in whether the hardware runs desk height, how presence is detected and how devices connect. Because each one works with Nura Space, organisations can choose the hardware that suits their furniture and building, and still run bookings and analytics in one platform.

Why add hardware to desk booking?

Desk booking software tells you who plans to come in. Desk hardware closes the loop at the desk itself. It confirms people actually arrived, shows availability to anyone walking the floor and stops empty desks drawing power.

It also improves the experience for staff. A desk that recognises you, lights up and moves to your preferred height feels ready for work rather than borrowed.

The three ranges at a glance

Schiavello

Schiavello's smart desk range is built around its height-adjustable workstations and above-desk power rail. It has four parts:

• HAT Wi-Fi Switch: connects a height-adjustable desk to Nura Space over Wi-Fi. It applies each person's preferred height at check-in, supports Bluetooth check-in from the app, allows remote monitoring and runs height schedules. Nearly 20,000 desks across Australia now use it.
• Power Control Module: switches desk power off when a desk is available and back on at check-in.
• Above Desk RFID: built into the above-desk power rail. Tap a security pass to confirm a booking or claim a free desk, and the desk powers up.
• Above Desk Light Indicator: sits in the above-desk power module. Green means available, red means reserved and blue means checked in.

CMS Engage

CMS Engage, from CMS Electracom, is built around the Smart Cell, an under-desk unit that controls power to everything connected to the workstation. Its approach is "No Check-In, No Power". The range includes:

• Smart Cell: links the other devices and controls power to monitors and the above-desk power rail.
• Occupancy sensor: detects presence and reports desk height status.
• Status indicator: shows above the desk whether a workstation is free or in use.
• Gateway: creates a wireless mesh for up to 80 devices.

Floorsense

Floorsense, designed and built in Auckland, offers desk devices that can be fitted to most desks. Its range includes:

• Floorsight V4 Puck: shows desk status with a traffic light, takes access card or app check-ins and includes Qi wireless charging.
• Floorsight Handset: a desk screen showing status, the current user and the booking period, with desk height and power control.
• Occupancy sensor: standard with the puck and handset, using AI-driven detection to separate real occupancy from passing movement.
• Follow-Me Ergonomics: height preferences stored in the cloud, working with most major desk motor brands.

How they compare

Checking in

• Schiavello: Bluetooth check-in from the Nura Space app, or a tap of a security pass on the Above Desk RFID reader.
• CMS Engage: a tap of an access card, or check-in through the app.
• Floorsense: a tap of an access card, or the app, at the V4 Puck or Handset.

Showing desk status

• Schiavello: colour-coded light in the above-desk power module.
• CMS Engage: status indicator mounted above the desk.
• Floorsense: traffic light on the puck, plus a full status screen on the Handset.

Desk height

• Schiavello: the HAT Wi-Fi Switch moves the desk to each person's saved height at check-in, and supports remote height control and schedules.
• CMS Engage: the occupancy sensor reports desk height status.
• Floorsense: the Handset controls height using Follow-Me Ergonomics.

Power control

All three switch workstation power on at check-in and off when the desk is empty, using the Power Control Module (Schiavello), the Smart Cell (CMS Engage) or the Handset and puck power options (Floorsense).

Presence detection

• Schiavello: Bluetooth detects the person's phone at the desk, and RFID pass taps confirm who is there.
• CMS Engage: a dedicated occupancy sensor confirms presence.
• Floorsense: an AI-driven occupancy sensor comes as standard.

Connectivity

• Schiavello: the building's Wi-Fi.
• CMS Engage: a wireless mesh through the CMS Engage gateway.
• Floorsense: a low-power radio mesh through a Floorsense controller on each floor.

Which one fits?

• Fitting out with Schiavello workstations, or connecting height-adjustable desks over Wi-Fi: the Schiavello range gives follow-me ergonomics, height schedules and pass or Bluetooth check-in in one family, with no extra network to install.
• Already specifying CMS power to the desk: CMS Engage adds card check-in, power control and occupancy sensing to that infrastructure.
• Mixed furniture across the portfolio: Floorsense devices fit most desks and desk motor brands, with card check-in and sensing built in.

Many organisations end up with more than one range across their portfolio. Because all three work with Nura Space, bookings, check-ins and workplace analytics stay in one place either way.

Common questions

Do I need hardware to use desk booking?

No. Nura Space works with the mobile app and web alone. Hardware adds automatic check-in, visible desk status, power savings and height control.

Can I mix hardware brands?

Yes. Nura Space can run different hardware on different floors or sites, and reports on all of them together.

Does smart desk hardware save energy?

Yes. Each range keeps workstation power off until someone checks in, so monitors and chargers on empty desks are not drawing power all day.

Read more about the CMS Engage integration and the Floorsense integration, or book a demo to see smart desk hardware working with Nura Space.