Smart’ may be the biggest buzzword of this decade. Digital transformation is changing our world for the better, creating new connections throughout our societies that improve our lives, increase convenience, and offer more security and safety. We have smartphones, smart government, smart transportation, smart healthcare and education, smart services… why shouldn’t our buildings be smart, too? Incorporating cutting-edge technology into buildings to improve their efficiency in terms of both cost and energy, amongst other benefits, is not only smart – it’s good common sense.

A smart or intelligent building is one that is connected across all systems, from air conditioning to lighting, elevators to fire safety and everything else. Similar to a human nervous system, if something requires attention, the network will raise the matter with the brain – whoever is managing the building – often before the situation arises to prevent any downtime and ensure a seamless experience for whoever lives or works within the building. Intelligent buildings collect and monitor data for analysis. The outcomes of this are then used to implement or suggest actions, which leads to several benefits: workplace optimisation, optimisation of energy consumption and asset performance, and even occupant wellbeing.

Traditional buildings can be retrofitted into intelligent buildings. By working with a knowledgeable partner in the field of smart solutions and facilities management, building owners can find a cost-effective solution that is designed to be both user-friendly and easily deployed, working alongside new and existing systems. With a truly intelligent building, managers should have little more to do than monitor an app, because the system itself will do the rest.

But is the real value in making the shift towards intelligent buildings? Amongst the many benefits, below are a handful of the most prominent. One of the most sought-after benefits is energy efficiency. Buildings in the Middle East require considerable energy in order to keep them running, especially during the day when summer temperatures are high. As well as being bad for the environment in terms of emissions, this can be very costly, especially if there is an unnecessary use of air conditioning or lights left on when the building is unoccupied.

Smart technology systems can be implemented that will ensure cost optimisation, with a minimum reduction of 5 – 15% with little investment and potentially higher returns. An efficient building is not only better financially and environmentally, but more appealing to potential tenants, too, as costs are recharged from asset owners and utility providers.

Predictive maintenance is another benefit. Almost everyone has experienced an unexpected outage of some kind in their office or home; it can be inconvenient, sometimes even dangerous depending on the situation. In an intelligent building, data is used to identify potential issues before they can happen. Sensors monitor equipment and gauge performance to activate maintenance procedures only when actually required. This creates cost efficiency as well as streamlined building operations, while giving managers a detailed insight into the building’s performance at any time via collected data.

Smart technology can also be used to help improve building efficiency and productivity. Just as sensors contribute towards better energy efficiency and predictive maintenance, they also generate data over time on how the building is being used and can be used to drive operational strategy. For example, if a smart sensor detects that there is no one in a room, it will turn off all lights and adjust the air conditioning to consume less energy. Systems can be programmed to work around office hours, so that during ‘dead’ hours use of energy is at its lowest, thereby helping to save costs.

Additionally, the data collected by intelligent buildings can be used to determine how best to use space – underused areas can be repurposed to become more relevant and efficient, thereby creating an overall more productive and potentially profitable building. These are just a handful of the benefits of smart buildings. Building owners need only partner with a reputable and renowned company in order to get the most out of the buildings they own, creating better environments for tenants and communities alike.