How to build the case for a totally connected infrastructure

The latest intelligence from global research company Juniper Research certainly points to a continuing rise in the number of connected buildings worldwide. Describing a smart facility as one in which connectivity is employed ‘to enable economical use of resources’, Juniper forecasts that the number of connected buildings will reach 115 million in 2026. This represents a 150% increase on the 2022 figure of 45 million smart buildings. 

Building and/or facilities managers – especially of larger corporate estates – will surely have been watching these developments with interest. It is probable that many will want to implement technologies that can help them automate and monitor building management systems to a higher degree. But in a challenging and unpredictable economic phase, it might not be so easy to convince the board of your wisdom!  

So, what follows is a list of handy pointers that show how you can approach building a compelling case for investing in a connected infrastructure… 

1. Emphasize the energy saving benefits

There has, quite simply, never been a better time to ‘bang the drum’ for lower energy consumption. The last six months have seen energy prices soar, and it looks like this will continue. Implementing and investing in infrastructure that allows you to monitor usage across all systems – and quickly identify any areas of energy waste – means that the savings can begin right away! 

2. Focus on ease of use & control

Having a connected infrastructure makes it far easier to control and monitor different building systems. Increasingly, companies are opting to invest in cloud-based building management platforms. Not only do they enable centralized control of multiple systems – from air conditioning to lighting – they also make it possible to monitor systems and make changes remotely. Underpinned by proven cloud technologies (in the case of Priva’s Digital Services portfolio, Microsoft Azure), cloud-based platforms are also more secure and scalable than many on-premises and/or hard-wire equivalents.

3. Explain how connected infrastructures benefit hybrid working 

The world of work is changing and it’s not a short-term shift. More working from home is a definite, and when people are in the office, they may be using the space in more unpredictable ways.  

So, for example, it may be possible that an entire office floors’ heating and ventilation system can be deactivated at certain times. Or certain zones / workgroups might have their own preferences for heating and cooling.  In summary, connected infrastructures that use sensors and control platforms can adjust rapidly to conditions, ensuring that only the required energy is used. 

4. Companies that don’t invest in connected systems will lose out 

The impact of buildings on health is under great scrutiny (1). Your employees will want to know that the air they breathe is fresh – and well managed. And, that other building systems will not put them at risk physically or mentally. Having a connected building makes it possible to monitor the performance of building systems and take steps to ensure they support wellbeing. In the longer term, more employees – particularly those in high-demand fields – will make the working environment a vital factor in their choice of employer. 

This is only to scratch the surface of how a connected building can be truly transformative. A good first step is to speak to a smart building specialist, such as Priva, so you can begin the process of finding the solutions that will work best for your organization. 

1 https://workinmind.org/2021/09/02/ben-channon-ignore-occupant-wellbeing-and-you-risk-falling-behind/