August Berres’ Respond! 2.0
The Inside Story of the Development of the Agile Workplace
Executive Summary
This post outlines the development of Respond! 2.0 and the impact of the Agile Workplace by August Berres. It discusses how the design was initially influenced by the pandemic and later by superb technological advancements in building power systems. The post highlights five lessons learned from customer feedback. These insights and the emergence of new cable-less and cordless power technology allowed the company to pivot toward the innovative product, Respond! 2.0. Ultimately, Respond! 2.0 becomes the first product specifically designed for Agile Workplaces playing a crucial role in the inevitable transition to DC-powered buildings.
The Start
Respond 2.0 Desk. Mobile, mobile, battery-powered, and AC as well as DC connections.
Respond! was created in response to the pandemic. We believed it would significantly change how people work and started studying its effects in June 2020, shortly after the shutdowns began.
It was clear that working from home would become normal. The shift to flexible workspaces with formal and casual areas increased in commercial offices. Some referred to this home and office furniture mix as “resimercial.”
There was also an element of uncertainty. How long would the pandemic shutdowns last? Would everyone return to the office? How many people in how much space would be necessary in 12, 24, or 60 months?
Sustainability gained new focus after the US Congress passed the “Inflation Reduction Act” in August 2022, which allocated $783 billion for energy and climate change. Major consulting firms encouraged their corporate clients to add sustainability strategies to their business plans.
Health and safety in the workplace have become a paramount concern. Companies have implemented various methods to physically separate workers, including adding plexiglass dividers to desks and increasing spacing between workstations. Wearing masks has become mandatory in many workplaces.
We began to ask ourselves questions. If employers need healthy workplaces, what can be done to get rid of the tangled cords under every desk? Do cleaning crews remove the dirt and dust from under these desks?
The Respond! team asked if there was a better solution for the persistent problem of cord tangles on the floor at workstations since personal computers were introduced in the 1980s.
During our research on this issue, we became aware of a new power system being developed that uses lithium-ion battery technology to power office workstations. Our response was, “Wow! This changes everything!” Little did we know how much we could change the way we conceive office workstations.
The concept made sense. If autos, power tools, gardening tools, and numerous other devices could be battery-powered, why not office workstations?
The initial version of the battery-powered components could power a laptop and support induction phone charging. The available receptacles included a USB-A and a USB-C.
We believe incorporating a sit-stand feature into our desks could enhance their appeal, as this feature is increasingly popular among users. After conducting some research, we confirmed that it was indeed feasible to implement this functionality, so we decided to include it in our list of features.
One of the additional features we wanted was the ability to power multiple monitors. This posed a challenge, as most monitors are designed with internal power supplies that rely solely on AC power. However, we found that two manufacturers, LG and Samsung, offered monitors with external power supplies. Fortunately, both brands required the same voltage and used the same diameter barrel connector. Between the two companies, numerous compatible products were available. We successfully added this feature.
We pushed our thinking further. If a battery could power an office workstation, could it also be mobile? Initially, we considered fixed workstations as the only option. However, we soon recognized that this approach was primarily due to the need for workstations to connect to costly AC power delivery systems, such as raised floors, under-carpet wiring, or floor cores.
This thinking led us to add casters, making battery-powered products more portable.
August Berres showed its first version of Respond! to the Public in the spring of 2022.
Our Key Takeaways
An essential recommendation for startups is to engage with a minimum of 100 customers to validate their business model. Initial assumptions may diverge significantly from the insights obtained through customer interactions. It is imperative to listen to customers and respond constructively to their feedback.
The following are five critical takeaways for August Berres that are vital for our future initiatives, particularly concerning the introduction of Respond! 2.0.
1. Sustainability professionals have influence but lack formal authority.
Many corporate sustainability teams lack sufficient capital budgets or spending authority to effect real change. We met enthusiastic advocates for sustainability who felt frustrated by their inability to implement changes independently.
Many companies merely engage in virtue signaling regarding sustainability. Some regulatory organizations are tackling this issue with rules and deadlines. One example is New York City's Local Law 97.
We believe our product line is among the most sustainable available. However, after speaking with customers, we have come to understand that a successful purchasing decision largely hinges on the financial benefits of a proposal, unless compelled by laws and regulations.
2. August Berres products are a key component in Smart Building Power Ecosystems.
A Smart Building Power Ecosystem is built on three key interconnected components: microgrid generation + energy storage systems (ESS), fault-managed power distribution (FMP), and power-using devices known as “endpoints.”
The advantages of fault-managed power are significant; it eliminates the need for costly wiring, conduits, breaker boxes, and other AC infrastructure. Moreover, the installation of FMP can be carried out without traditionally certified electricians.
August Berres products further these benefits. FMP seamlessly powers an August Berres battery charging system, while C-Power batteries deliver reliable energy to individual workstations eliminating the “last mile” of 120V infrastructure.
3. Customers like Agile Workplaces
Initially, the design sketches for Respond! depicted products that were connected and fixed in place. However, after realizing the advantages of battery power, we shifted our focus to creating free-standing, mobile products. To highlight the significance of mobility, we incorporated large casters into the design.
Customers clearly stated that if office spaces were designed for easier reconfiguration, they would adapt them more often. Our observations strongly support this feedback. During the transportation of our products to various trade shows and demonstrations, we identified the necessity for certain design elements to be more durable to endure the demands of frequent movement.
4. The energy-saving benefits of August Berres products are more valued than the furniture benefits.
Some veterans in the office furniture sales industry see our products as akin to "tech products" rather than traditional furniture. Architects, IT professionals, and energy consultants quickly grasp our design intent, with one architect stating, "Respond! is at the top of the market."
In contrast, many salespeople at office furniture dealerships find August Berres' designs too avant-garde. Typically, furniture targets commercial interior designers and focuses on aesthetics, especially at events like NEOCON.
We prioritize functionality, and customers appreciate our "industrial chic" look. However, energy efficiency will be more important as energy costs are often a major expense for companies.
5. Customers want to keep their existing computer equipment.
With the launch of Respond!, we successfully demonstrated the ability to create a fully functional workstation powered entirely by batteries. This innovation highlighted our capacity to provide mobility without sacrificing performance. However, when it comes to powering monitors, we encountered some limitations. Currently, only products from LG and Samsung are compatible with our system. This is because they are the only manufacturers that utilize external power supplies that we can replace.
Furthermore, we have identified an additional challenge: many users still rely on older laptops that do not support USB-C power delivery. This incompatibility means some users may struggle to connect to the battery-powered workstation effectively. While Respond! offers significant advancements, we recognize the need to address these compatibility issues for a wider range of devices in future updates.
Discover How August Berres Products Will Revolutionize Offices in the Future
As we reviewed customer feedback and our own observations, we identified three ways to support future workplace design trends, depending on our customers' intentions.
Some customers are incorporating batteries as an amenity in their flexible workspaces.
Others are exploring the benefits of agile workplaces.
Additionally, some customers envision creating buildings powered by direct current (DC).
Let me explain further.
Power for Flexible Workspaces
August Berres’ C-Power battery pack is perfect for flexible workspaces, including casual work areas, cafeterias, conference rooms, outdoor settings, or coffee shops. The battery pack has two USB-C ports to power laptops or charge mobile phones.
There are many competing products, so we recommend careful consideration to ensure your purchase is safe, durable, and has a long life cycle.
August Berres C-Power is safe, durable, and retains 70% of its capacity after 10,000 cycles.
Some competitors have reported issues with overheating, leading to potentially dangerous situations and resulting in product recalls. Additionally, some companies fully charge their batteries to 100% and allow them to discharge completely to 0%. While this method can lower production costs by using fewer cells to achieve similar watt-hours, it typically reduces the battery life to only 18 to 24 months. In contrast, a product that charges up to 90% and discharges down to 10% can have up to five times the lifespan in a life-cycle analysis.
August Berres’ C-Power batteries have internal safeguards to reduce the possibility of overheating. Sensors incorporated into the circuitry detect instances where a connected device draws too much power, also known as an “overcurrent” situation. Overcurrent events can cause overheating.
There are also temperature sensors adjacent to the cells inside the battery. If a C-Power is left in a sunny area too long or next to a heat source, the sensors will shut down the battery to avoid an issue.
We are confident that our product is the top choice for flexible workspace applications, setting a new standard for excellence.
Agile Workplace Design
In a Flexible Workplace, people move between different types of work areas, such as desks, conference rooms, cafeterias, or comfy soft seating areas. In an Agile Workplace, the furniture moves and can be configured to create Flexible Workplaces.
What makes a workplace Agile? We believe there are two important features that should be incorporated into every product. The first feature is cordless power. Our battery power delivery systems accomplish that objective. Being tethered to the building is not agile. The second feature is “ease of movement.” Products that are mechanically connected require de-installation and re-installation. August Berres’ products are free-standing and mounted on casters.
DC-Powered Buildings
DC-powered buildings are often overlooked, yet they offer significant cost savings. The built environment has a carbon footprint twice that of the automotive industry. For most companies, energy costs are the second largest expense after payroll. You might have a skeptical reaction to “DC Power” but consider the fact that solar or wind generation produces DC power, energy storage systems (ESS) store DC power, and your devices operate on DC power. AC power only exists in your building between your ESS and your devices.
Switching to DC-powered buildings can reduce energy costs by 30% compared to traditional AC-powered buildings. It's no surprise that those who are aware of these savings advocate for DC power. Once you understand DC power, AC power seems a foolish choice.
What is a DC-powered Building?
Fault-managed power systems are built from a transmitter, receiver, and structured cabling. Image courtesy of VoltServer.
A DC building integrates innovations in three main areas of the power ecosystem: generation, distribution, and endpoints. The limited awareness of these benefits is largely due to the relative novelty of these innovations. Most electrical contractors are familiar with the traditional AC electrical code, which they typically rely on as their primary guide when designing a building's power system.
In a building powered by direct current (DC), energy generation typically comes from solar and/or wind sources, along with an Energy Storage System (ESS). The ESS is generally set up to supply power during peak demand periods and maintain a reserve for resilience during power interruptions. In California, new construction projects are required to implement this system. With rates increasing rapidly, particularly during peak demand, some companies may choose to exceed the mandate's requirements.
Power distribution within a building will utilize Fault-Managed Power. This technology was incorporated into the National Electrical Code in 2023. It allows for the safe transmission of up to 3000 watts over distances of more than a mile. Fault-managed power is delivered through lightweight cables that can run alongside building data cable systems.
All devices that use less than 15 watts (examples: laptops, phones) are adopting USB-C as a power input to laptops, phones, and other computer devices. Technically USB connections can provide as much as 120 watts. While few devices conform, the standards are drafted, and we expect to see more devices conform to USB-C in the future.
How do August Berres products fit in a DC-powered building?
August Berres charging systems can recharge asmany as 24 C-Power Battery packs overnight.
August Berres charging systems are engineered to be compatible with alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) power sources. These systems can accept AC power within a range of 100 to 220 volts and DC power up to 360 volts. The only requirement for adaptation is the replacement of the power input cord; no further modifications are necessary.
While it may initially appear counterintuitive, the optional power delivery system in Respond! 2.0 provides AC power, which may, in fact, represent the most efficient pathway for transitioning to DC-powered infrastructure.
This functionality enables proponents of DC power to implement a DC-ready furniture system at present, without the need for a simultaneous replacement of all existing endpoints. As computing devices are upgraded over time, they can be progressively transitioned to utilize DC power.
Introducing Respond! 2.0; More Agile, More Durable, More Utility
Respond! 2.0 is an innovative battery-powered product by August Berres, designed specifically for the Agile Workplace. Unlike the original Respond! product line, which provided DC power for devices, Respond! 2.0 allows users to continue using their existing equipment. This upgraded version is versatile both physically and electrically.
The desk includes a comprehensive power delivery system, with options enabling users to connect AC and DC-powered devices. It features three 120V receptacles for AC devices on the desktop. For DC devices, there are four USB-C receptacles. Two are alongside the desktop 120V receptacle and two are available from the C-Power battery pack.
Batteries can be easily docked or swapped without disrupting connections. In addition to the USB-C ports in the power delivery center, two more are located on top of the C-Power battery.
The DC power provided by the C-Power battery is connected to the AC receptacles through an inverter. The Respond! inverter is a variable-speed device. A fan will engage only when near-maximum loads are attached.
Respond! 2.0 Wallies can serve as dividers between desks. The base is designed to straddle the base of the desks so little space is lost. Various combinations of fabric, erasable markerboard, plexiglass, utility, and woodgrain configurations are available.
Shown above: Respond! 2.0 72" x 30" desk with a sit/stand chassis.
The Respond! 2.0 desk retains its predecessor's hallmark feature of having "no cords on the floor," guaranteeing a clean and safe workspace. We've significantly enhanced mobility, as every product in the Respond! 2.0 line is equipped with four casters for effortless movement. Furthermore, we bolstered durability by incorporating an impact-resistant edge on the desktop.
We added configurable mobile screens known as “Wallies” for a complete office solution. Respond! 2.0 Wallies are 36” wide and freestanding. The beefy construction and large casters extend the product’s life and utility. Use these for privacy, dividing space, or routing office traffic flow.
The August Berres C-Power battery remains unchanged and docks into the power delivery center as it did in the original Respond! desk. August Berres’ charging systems are also unchanged.
