The building management industry is changing fast. The adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) has been creating a new breed of smart buildings that are prepared to better understand the priorities of facilities managers and building owners. If this year the number of connected devices outnumbered the world’s population for the first time with nearly 9 billion units being used worldwide, the number is expected to continue rising to more than 20 billion IoT devices by 2020. This shows the significant impact of technology, with the latest applications enabling new features capable of creating more efficient building operations and new revenue opportunities.
The effects of the rise of IoT on building management are evident, with the data generated by connected building devices giving building owners and facility managers new opportunities to enhance building performance. IoT allow operational systems that can provide more accurate information to help improve operations. A recent study revealed that 63 per cent of facility managers would be interested in implementing new digital technologies, with 89 per cent saying they expect to achieve a return on their IoT investments in three years.
At the same time, global energy efficiency legislation such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in the European Union has elevated building efficiency from a “nice-to-have” to a business necessity. Facility managers worldwide are focused on workplace efficiency by creating more comfortable and productive work spaces whilst reducing energy consumption at the same time.
This move towards uncovering valuable insights from building data and making adjustments to improve efficiency has shifted attention away from equipment manufacturers and into the hands of system integrators and support teams. While the building management system (BMS) still serves as the backbone of any smart building, these systems have become commoditised over the years. The real value of these systems lies in their ability to connect to other devices within the building environment and reveal opportunities to improve efficiency and performance.
As a result, the shift towards IoT-enabled buildings is fundamentally changing the role of today’s facilities professionals and creating new requirements for them to be successful at their jobs. As smart technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, new questions are being raised. How can it be integrated into building systems effectively and strategically? How do we interface it with the many other devices that are in our buildings and homes?
Connected technologies that need to be integrated into a modern BMS weren’t being applied five years ago, and didn’t exist a decade in the past. In buildings of the past, the facility manager was the person who handled the mechanics and daily functions of the systems in the buildings they managed. Today’s facility managers are concerned with not only the building systems they have ownership of, but also with the plethora of smart, connected devices that interact with their facilities on a daily basis. As a result, facility managers must learn new skill sets like data analysis and broaden their technology knowledge base in order to successfully manage and make the most of today’s building technologies. They must also work with the right systems integrators who know how to install and manage the most optimised and comprehensive intelligent energy solutions.
While technology has greatly impacted the role of today’s facility professionals, we are also seeing a demographic shift as older workers retire and leave the workforce and are replaced by the next generation of facility managers. These younger facility professionals are technologically savvy when it comes to network connectivity and information technology. However, they often lack a deep knowledge of mechanical systems. To be successful, the next generation of facility professionals must find a way to merge their new world knowledge of the IoT with the mechanic knowledge that drove the building management industry for decades.
The key to success in today’s building management landscape for both experienced and newer facility professionals is gaining a deep understanding of the components critical to achieving comprehensive energy management within homes and facilities – including lighting and room controls, power distribution, datacom, HVAC control and energy monitoring.
To achieve in-depth knowledge to optimise building control, operational efficiency and energy management, facility professionals should seek out industry experts who can offer support in the following key areas:
- Specialised training on the most critical challenges facing building owners and facility managers and the solutions that can solve them;
- An open network of fellow facility professionals and system integrators that promotes idea sharing and best practices implementation;
- Access to industry-leading technology solutions that will drive the future of intelligent buildings.
In an evolving landscape, technology can be the key game changer. The new features available for facilities managers and building owners will support the growth of the cities of the future, giving them the opportunity to widen the level of efficiency and effectiveness that will make smart buildings so unique.
By Kas Mohammed, BMS Business Manager, Schneider Electric
