The market for smart building technology is expanding, but what exactly are they and why is it important? There’s a lot of information about this new technology when you look at the concept of smart building technology. In a nutshell, an intelligent building, sometimes referred to as a smart building, is a property that employs automated processes to regulate systems like lighting, security, safety, HVAC, and other environmental controls in response to building occupancy levels or outside circumstances.
Smart building systems, often referred to as IoT smart building systems or intelligent building systems, gather data from sensors, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, and services on the property. The systems can automatically modify resources using this data to suit changing conditions.
Smart building technology controls, for instance, can boost air circulation in spaces as occupancy rises or decrease lighting in bright, sunny situations. Facility managers may use resources, space, and energy more effectively while preserving the best conditions for building occupants thanks to smart building solutions’ instantaneous response to changes.
Investing in smart building technology has arguably influenced facilities management more than any other technological development. With technology that includes self-cleaning restrooms, smart parking garages, and optimum climate management, among many more use cases—both known and unimagined—this already multibillion-dollar industry is expanding at an exponential rate.
Table of Contents
What are Smart Buildings?
A straightforward description of “Smart building technology” is a structure that uses technology to provide information about a room or the entire building, making it safer and more suited to the needs of its occupants. In smart buildings, no one set of software or technology is required. Numerous technologies that are either installed particularly for data collection or already present within the building can be used by smart buildings to enhance their operational efficiency.
Integrating critical systems such as lighting, business security cameras, alarms, sensors, and control systems to communicate information and improve building efficiency, resident costs, and safety is the cornerstone of designing a smart building technology. Internet of Things (IoT) devices are used by intelligent building technologies. These devices could be:
- Sensors
- Actuators
- Microchips
- Software
- Cameras
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are then utilized to evaluate and apply the data collected from these sensors to identify any anomalies, understand usage patterns and trends, and get insight into how the facility is being used.
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Drivers of Smart Building Technology Adoption
Several factors are driving the increased adoption of smart building technology. These include:
Increasing Energy Expenses: As rate increases and supply disruptions continue to put pressure on budgets, many small and big organizations are seeking ways to reduce their rising energy costs. To control expenses, building owners need to figure out how to use energy more effectively.
Changing Occupancy Levels: As a result of the adoption of remote and hybrid working, the occupancy levels of business buildings might change daily. Building managers are utilizing intelligent technologies in conjunction with security measures to reduce resource use in unoccupied areas.
Demand for Healthy Building Environments: Both multi-unit residential complexes and business buildings’ occupants anticipate a safe and healthy environment. IoT building automation is one technique for property managers to simplify control of variables like air quality and temperature maintenance at optimal levels.
Extreme Weather: Regardless of where your business is located, the weather can be unpredictable. Energy may be used more effectively in buildings that use smart building technology to adjust the interior atmosphere in response to temperature changes or inclement weather.
Product Availability for Smart Buildings: Smart building technology comes with a variety of widely accessible items and technology. Modern developments in artificial intelligence also facilitate the analysis of data from building sensors, enabling building technology systems to react to particular events or triggers more quickly and precisely.
Open Systems: Many intelligent building components are integrated into a smart infrastructure. Smart building designers find it simpler to combine components for a seamless solution that can be controlled from a single dashboard as more manufacturers embrace open standards.
What Makes a Building Smart?
Smart building technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor, control, and optimize many elements of operations. Among the key attributes of smart buildings are:
Energy Efficiency: By implementing techniques like intelligent power management, enhanced lighting, and energy-efficient HVAC systems, smart building technology reduces energy usage. It modifies energy use according to occupancy and outside variables using sensors and data analysis.
Automated Systems: Smart building technology unifies several systems into a central automation platform, including lighting, security, HVAC, air conditioning, and access control. This makes it possible to smoothly and efficiently operate systems to maximize efficiency and cut down on waste.
Data Analytics: Sensors, meters, and other devices gather data for smart buildings. To make better decisions, this data is evaluated to provide insights into building performance, tenant behavior, and possible improvement areas.
Connectivity and Interoperability: Interconnected IoT devices and sensors, which facilitate smooth data exchange and communication across building systems and subsystems, are a feature of smart building technology. This guarantees effective information flow, which enhances building operations overall.
Comfort and Experience of Occupants: Improving occupant comfort and productivity is the goal of smart building design. Individual tastes can be catered to by systems, which offer customized temperature, lighting, and other settings for a more comfortable home or workplace.
Safety and Security: Biometric access control, surveillance, and fire detection systems are just a few of the cutting-edge security features that smart building technology has. Algorithms powered by AI can identify irregularities and possible dangers, enhancing overall security.
Optimizing Maintenance: One of the fundamental characteristics of smart building technology is predictive maintenance. Real-time equipment health and performance monitoring helps identify possible problems early on, cutting down on downtime and repair expenses.
Sustainability: By lowering energy use, maximizing resource utilization, and incorporating renewable energy, smart buildings encourage environmentally friendly behaviors and lessen their overall influence on the environment and carbon footprint of the structure.
As technology advances, smart building technology is always changing. As AI capabilities advance and more devices are connected, smart building architecture will continue to provide creative answers for comfortable, productive, and sustainable living and working environments.
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Benefits of Smart Building Technology
Smart building technology offers many benefits, including:
Better Resource Management: Sensor and Internet of Things data guarantees that building resources are only used when required. Businesses can improve scheduling for better resource management by using data from smart devices, such as occupancy sensors and access control readers, to better understand peak hours and traffic patterns within the building. Property managers can also benefit from the automation of routine tasks like purchasing supplies or scheduling maintenance based on specific rules or event triggers, thanks to certain IoT building technologies and analytics.
Increased Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency can also be increased via smart building technology systems. By aligning energy consumption with demand, smart environmental controls that adapt to occupancy levels and weather patterns help organizations maximize energy savings. This enhances the building’s green credentials and aids in cost control despite rising energy rates. Powerhouse Telemark, a carbon-negative building in Norway, is one example of a smart building that is experiencing increased energy efficiency. It uses 70% less energy than a conventional structure of equal size. This smart building example, which was named one of the top ten buildings in the world, also makes use of mobile-first smart building apps and simplified cloud management for effective, safe access.
Healthy, Safe Environment: The high level of environmental control and smart IoT building automation creates an environment that is comfortable and healthy, regardless of external conditions. Additionally, air monitoring lowers health risks by guaranteeing environmental safety. The building can be made safer by installing smart safety sensors that can automatically alert security personnel and emergency services, start emergency lockdown procedures, and open exit doors.
Stronger Security: In addition to preventing unwanted entry into the building, smart access control systems and remote security monitoring shield building residents and their belongings from outside threats. Security staff can react more effectively when they have increased visibility and knowledge of incidents and odd activity thanks to the integration of smart sensors and alarms with access control systems and security cameras. Selecting artificial intelligence-enabled security cameras boosts efficiency and performance while fortifying security even more.
Increased Visibility: Large volumes of data on the use of resources and space are provided by intelligent building systems. Property managers can use this data to evaluate the effectiveness of the system and decide how best to allocate resources or adjust building capacity in the future.
Decreased Property Expenses: Smart building technology can result in considerable long-term cost reductions. While system data on occupancy and usage can assist property managers in finding ways to minimize overall space requirements, increased energy efficiency lowers direct energy expenses. Automated preventative maintenance systems, which lower long-term component maintenance and replacement costs, are based on data about system performance. Enhanced automation of IoT buildings eases the workload of facilities management personnel, hence lowering support expenses.
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Types of Smart Building Technology
The following crucial components are included in smart building management systems:
1. Internet of Things (IoT)
Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled buildings are known as “smart buildings” because they have several devices connected to a single IP platform for information sharing and analysis, which optimizes each device’s settings automatically. Devices can begin interacting and cooperating when they are linked and managed by switches, microchips, controllers, and sensors. This has a wide range of applications, including setting emergency protocols and automatically controlling temperature.
The “smart home” use cases of IoT, like self-learning thermostats and smart utility meters, have made it increasingly popular. Many applications have surfaced in commercial and industrial contexts recently that improve the tenant experience as well as internal processes (e.g., IoT-enabled Asset Condition Management). The majority of the time, mobile apps are used to link and operate Internet-enabled devices, making them easy to use and handy for users.
To save money, save energy, and minimize downtime, a lot of executives and facilities managers choose to implement smart building technologies. People are also important; intelligent lighting and HVAC systems will improve visitor and staff experiences.
Smart bathrooms are a well-liked and effective use of IoT in business buildings. Unbelievably, residents frequently complain about the state and cleanliness of restrooms—or the lack thereof—which quickly turns away patrons. IoT sensors fix problems before they arise. For example, smart paper towels and soap dispensers may self-restock when necessary or digitally notify cleaning staff when supplies are running short. When a restroom is filled, intelligent occupancy trackers identify it and provide users with a mobile app that lets them know how long the wait will be. This type of sensor also schedules cleaning teams when a predetermined number of people have passed through on the back end.
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2. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Similar to the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence (AI) is a buzzword that has gained a lot of attention recently but is frequently misinterpreted. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the process by which software or robots imitate human intelligence and behavior, including the capacity to learn and apply new information. This enables automation—basically, decision-making—in the software or machine without the need for human involvement. Though it’s sometimes used interchangeably with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) refers to the method by which a machine learns a skill or piece of knowledge. AI has several uses in smart buildings, especially as it can be seamlessly connected with the Internet of Things sensors and gadgets.
These gadgets employ deep learning to comprehend settings and objects at a hierarchical level, adapting based on past trends or human preferences that they have learned. An AI and IoT-enabled asset management system, for instance, will detect anomalies in an asset’s operation, such as a leaking refrigerator, based on what it has “learned” about the energy consumption or output of the device when it is operating regularly. Then, with the least amount of human intervention, AI-enabled service automation software examines and approves repair orders, forecasts impending maintenance, and more.
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3. Building Automation
A building’s lighting, security, HVAC, and other systems can all be controlled centrally with the use of a comprehensive infrastructure known as building automation. Either a Building Automation System (BAS) or a Building Management System (BMS)—a centralized digital or mobile hub—controls building automation. These systems can monitor and regulate vital elements including water pressure, power, humidity, temperature, and more. They are also compatible with Internet of Things solutions.
Enhanced occupant comfort, lower running costs, and greater energy efficiency are some advantages of building automation. Making use of smart building technologies results in a more enjoyable and productive workplace, which boosts output rapidly.
For instance, a building automation system could be configured to detect when someone turns on the lights in a particular conference room and then enhance ventilation and air conditioning in that particular space. Even better, it integrates with AI and IoT technology, “learning”—for example, this conference room is utilized every Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.—and modifying its climatic settings several minutes beforehand.
Additionally, building automation guarantees that your facilities meet all industry standards. You will always be aware of what is happening around your facilities thanks to smart sensors. Your facilities will be able to consistently satisfy the highest compliance standards thanks to your ability to make timely improvements and fixes.
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4. Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Through the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), you may digitize and save facility data, including blueprints, emergency plans, plumbing, and electrical installations, so that employees have simple access to it. You can even model these data in three dimensions. Historically, specialists in the fields of architecture, engineering, and building have been the main users of BIM; but, in the context of facilities management, its use has increased recently.
BIM functions as a kind of “Building handbook,” providing access to real-time asset profiles and enhancing awareness of asset locations (such as the precise location of a particular electrical circuit or piece of machinery behind a wall). It is another extremely useful tool for facility maintenance and ongoing use. In addition to geographic data, it offers insights into building component amounts and qualities, spatial awareness, and light analysis.
This type of geographical and visual data is very useful while renovating or repairing facilities. One can practically “grab” a wall object and move it around with BIM software to see if it could be placed somewhere else. Opportunities for improved space usage and higher building efficiency are revealed by this procedure. Furthermore, BIM makes it possible to run an infinite number of test scenarios without ever having to enter the space, which saves labor costs and downtime.
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5. Artificial Reality (AR)
A live, replicated image of the real world with computer-generated sensory input added to its elements is called augmented reality, or AR. With the help of a camera and a viewing device, such as a tablet, smartphone, or even eyeglasses, augmented reality allows users to superimpose virtual objects on top of their actual, physical surroundings. Thanks to BIM, the aforementioned maintenance team will not only have access to the information on-site, but they will also be able to view it using the camera on their phone.
When combined with BIM, augmented reality technology is beneficial for facilities management. Consider using a pair of augmented reality glasses, like the Microsoft HoloLens, to examine a plant room that has a variety of strange mechanical and electrical devices. Your glasses, which are programmed with current BIM models, let you see digital representations “hovering” over each piece of equipment to provide identification and further information. Written instructions, cautions, installation dates, and troubleshooting tips are a few examples of this information that may be included. These are all very helpful in emergency or outage scenarios.
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6. Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual reality (VR), which was formerly mostly considered a game technology, is finding more and more business uses. VR replaces the physical world with a realistic virtual environment, taking computer-generated sensor input to the next level and providing a fully immersive experience.
The design and construction sectors have already adopted virtual reality as a helpful tool for the mockup stage. A client can experience a proposed building as though they are physically there thanks to VR-powered mockups: Before any work starts, the client can take a tour, look at windows and staircases, and get a sense of how the finished structure will feel.
The facilities management sector has not yet used virtual reality extensively, but in recent years, smart building technology has started to grow in strength and cost. There are numerous possible advantages: Virtual reality equipment can facilitate many activities such as dynamic quality checks, 3D internal design reviews, and virtual walkthroughs. Software for facilities management can also be used to ingest VR data and use it for maintenance and upkeep. In the area of FM, several startups have already started investigating VR: To facilitate 1:1 design review and collaboration, New York-based IrisVR, for instance, provides two solutions (desktop software and a mobile app) that incorporate 3D BIM models into VR.
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7. Aerial Drones
Drones can be utilized inside a building or retail area to give intelligent support, taking over many repetitive or time-consuming duties and freeing up personnel to focus on more essential things. Drones are useful not only for taking aerial images and delivering items. Drones are classified as “Unmanned aerial vehicles,” and they can be controlled remotely or independently using artificial intelligence (AI).
Drones perform a wide range of functions for “Smart” office spaces, retail establishments, and even grocery stores that are advantageous to their operators: They act as an extra set of readily moveable “Eyes” that can detect minute details and work around the clock. They can be used for anything from checking shelves for spoiled products to examining difficult-to-reach equipment like rooftop machinery to seeing burglars at an office building. Even better, using drones is comparatively simple, inexpensive, and agile.
Smart Building Examples and Smart Building Technology Use Cases
By providing you with information about equipment and devices you may not have previously had insight into, a smart building technology and its corresponding software let you get more specific with the data you already have about your building. The more information you can gather through smart building technology systems regarding various aspects of your building’s operation, such as air ducts, refrigeration units, and PTZ security cameras, the more opportunities you have to make important enhancements that improve the way your building works. Here are a few outstanding instances of smart building technology:
- Located in Singapore, Microsoft’s Frasers Towers is one of the world’s most advanced smart buildings. 900 lighting, air quality, and temperature sensors throughout the property, along with 179 Bluetooth Beacons, collect data in real time to automatically update and improve the building’s many systems to provide comfort for its business occupants. Additionally, the building uses Smart Building CampusLink, which is fully connected with Microsoft Office 365 and Outlook. This allows both workers and guests to find their way about the campus, reserve rooms, and find out what workspaces are available in real time.
- The Vodafone Global Headquarters in London, UK, is having an impact on the smart building landscape. In 2020, the company won the Verdantix Smart Building Innovation Award in the Corporate Headquarters Retrofit category after collaborating with GE to design and implement a multi-sensor network throughout the facility. This intelligent technology gathers data on everything that impacts the work environment for employees, such as energy consumption and air quality, and uses that information to automatically enhance the working environment and increase building efficiency.
- Another excellent example of an intelligent building system is the Corning Optical Communications Headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. It even served as a test site for the criteria of the SPIRE Smart Buildings program, which rates and evaluates the performance of smart buildings. Its smart features include increased cyber security, energy consumption regulations, overcrowding monitoring, and building conditions.
Developing a Smart Building Solution and System
Smart infrastructure can be retrofitted into existing properties, or smart building technology can be integrated into newly constructed buildings. Create a thorough smart building plan for your building with the aid of this guide.
1. Planning and Budgeting
To determine needs and priorities during the planning phase, it’s critical to communicate recommendations to all relevant parties, including owners, managers of the property and buildings, and tenants. While many smart building technology products can improve the building environment and energy efficiency, it’s critical to identify and rank the smart building IoT solutions that will have the biggest impact. To assist prevent costly errors, it’s also beneficial to speak with IT and security experts who have experience with smart building technology.
Your rudimentary smart building plan ought to address:
- Location and quantity of IoT devices and sensors
- The quantity and placement of security cameras and access control components
- Infrastructure for networks and power supplies
- Software for management and control
Budgets for IoT solutions for smart building technology should account for the costs of installation, integration, long-term maintenance, and upgrade fees in addition to the expenses of smart devices. This will help determine the total cost of ownership throughout the solution. Establishing measurements for the intended installation is crucial for evaluating the solution’s advantages and figuring out the return on investment.
2. Selecting Smart Building Technology Products
To function as a single system, the parts of the smart building technology must be easily integrated and interoperable. As a result, choosing systems and products with open standards in mind is crucial. The smart building items must exhibit dependability to minimize any hindrance to regular business operations.
When deciding which smart building technology systems to purchase, seek out options that provide opportunities for scaling up or down over the long term. Later on, you can quickly change your designs based on the data your smart building technologies offer. Since intelligent building technology is always evolving, it can be beneficial to future-proof your investment by incorporating some flexibility into your plans from the start.
3. Software Selection
The system’s management and operation software for smart building technology can be hosted in the cloud or on-site. Greater flexibility is available with cloud-based software since it is scalable and may be remotely administered on mobile devices with Internet access. Automatic software upgrades and maintenance are another feature of cloud hosting that frees up the facilities management staff to concentrate on system operations and reduces downtime for in-person maintenance.
4. Installation and Integration
It is necessary to install and integrate new and old system components, such as security, HVAC, lighting, and access control, with the appropriate sensors. To enhance system performance overall, complementing smart building technology like motion sensors and security cameras should also be included whenever practical.
5. Connectivity and Power
System components can be powered and linked to smart building technology controls via wireless, data, or specialized cabling networks. Though it lacks the scalability of network connections, direct cabling is typically the most dependable alternative, it is also the most costly.
Data networks enable Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology to supply power and facilitate efficient two-way communication between components and controllers. Wireless networks allow for connectivity, but to maintain steady, dependable operation, the network needs to have strong signal coverage across the facility.
6. Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
For smart building technology control systems to read sensor data and automatically trigger the right responses, analytics software should be included. Administrators should establish guidelines that govern the reaction, such as timing lighting or HVAC controls in a commercial facility according to certain hours of the day. The integration of artificial intelligence into discrete components or the central management system can enhance precision and responsiveness by detecting atypical trends or occurrences that necessitate scrutiny or remediation.
7. Integrated System Security
For smart infrastructures to efficiently manage and run smart building technology, data must flow securely. Because of this, safeguarding the data and infrastructure against malicious or physical attacks that could undermine the system is crucial. By exchanging security data and coordinating cover so that there are no gaps in the security profile, an integrated security strategy guarantees that both the physical and cyber security teams are aware of potential risks.
Top Smart Building Technology Companies
Here is a list of top smart building technology companies worth knowing about:
1. Galaxy Next Generation
Smart building technology for learning and collaborative academic environments are Galaxy Next Generation’s area of expertise. They design, produce, and market user-friendly gear and software for educators to establish high-tech learning environments that promote safety and cooperation.
To establish an optimal learning environment, Galaxy Next Generation offers hardware and software for classroom, administrative, and security applications. You may develop a completely integrated and user-friendly learning environment for the future by utilizing their whole product line.
2. Irisys
With the use of people-counting sensors, Irisys provides a smart building technology that counts people to analyze and evaluate how people use the space. Businesses can enhance and optimize their operations based on this data to increase customer satisfaction and retention. This will benefit the retail, banking, transportation, and leisure sectors.
Several people-counting solutions are available from Irisys to maximize your operational effectiveness and financial gain. Through social distancing, safety, and other measures, their SafeCount solution keeps an eye on and safeguards residents.
3. Molex Electronic Solutions
One high-performance connectivity option for smart building technology is Molex Electronic Solutions. Businesses may enhance operations, cut expenses, and maximize facilities management with the help of their solutions.
Molex automates business activities such as lighting, HVAC, and security to maximize facility performance, reduce energy use, and minimize environmental impact. The tenant experience, building performance, and efficiency are all enhanced by their Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices and software.
4. Ortronics
Legrand offers a smart building technology range called Ortronics that enhances network infrastructure. Their adaptable data center solutions include copper, fiber, cabinet, and cable management systems. Next-generation technologies can now keep up with the changing needs of data center control and optimization thanks to the Ortronics solution.
For your data center, Ortronics by Legrand provides the best options in terms of scalability and adaptability. Their Infinium Quantum Fiber System satisfies high bandwidth requirements for cloud, AI, supercomputing, and hyperscale applications while guaranteeing the lowest overall system loss.
5. Superior Essex Communications
The leading supplier of cabling solutions for numerous sectors is Superior Essex Communications. They are a global leader in communication cable product invention, design, and manufacturing, with a focus on sustainability, thanks to their unwavering dedication to enabling creative construction solutions.
A comprehensive spectrum of smart building technology is provided by Superior Essex Communications for data centers, corporate offices, healthcare, large venues, digital buildings, hospitality, education, and other applications. Their areas of expertise are cable network coverage, performance, and optimization. They provide connectivity management for data centers, broadband networks, long-term evolution, wireless ISPs, outdoor small cell sites, and in-building wireless.
Conclusion
The number of residential and commercial complexes being transformed into “Smart buildings” has increased significantly in recent years. The Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing are being used by today’s architects and builders to control and monitor building systems, increase productivity, improve safety, and encourage sustainability and cost savings.
Through sophisticated monitoring, smart building technology encourages energy efficiency. This helps building managers reduce resource consumption and expenses while still meeting the requirements of relevant regulatory and certification organizations. For instance, a facilities manager will be able to quickly determine how energy is being consumed in the facility and how to manage and reduce consumption with an accurate representation of energy usage by building, by section, and even by equipment.
Buildings can be configured for optimal energy efficiency through the use of software programs and artificial intelligence to enable automated and centralized environmental controls. Occupancy sensors, for instance, only allow HVAC and lights to operate when a space is inhabited. 70% of people on earth will reside in cities by 2050. Individuals will work to maximize their opportunities in this highly technology society. To take advantage of all that modernity has to offer, they will relocate to towns and cities.
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Resources:
SmarterTechnologies | Avigilon | Pelco | ServiceChannel | Autodesk | Cisco | Forbes | Enelx | Infogrid | Forbytes | CC-TechGroup
For all the pictures: Freepik
