Smart Office

Buildings in the past have provided the essentials: shelter, temperature control and safety at the same efficiency level for years. But newer buildings, or refurbished structures that have been implemented with features of smart technology are collection of complex systems and structures are able to provide an inter-connected network with intelligent and adaptable software. Modern buildings contain complex mechanical devices, sophisticated control systems and a suite of features to improve the safety, comfort and productivity of occupants. Many of these systems involve machine-to-machine communication, but because the data is general in nature and the communication protocols have been proprietary, information only flows along certain paths. The smart building will require connectivity between all the equipment and systems in a building.

Smart buildings ensure that occupants are more productive with core systems such as lighting, ventilation, security (cyber and physical), heating, meters, pumps, alarms, sensors, controls and elevators. Making use of automated processes to automatically control the building’s operations. A smart building uses sensors, actuators and microchips, in order to collect data and manage it according to a business’ functions and services. This infrastructure helps owners, operators and facility managers improve asset reliability and performance, which reduces energy use, optimizes how space is used and minimizes the environmental impact of buildings.

Infrastructures that have shifted to smart building initiative include office buildings, educational facilities (scaling from small schools to universities consisting multiplex campuses/buildings), hospitals and health care facilities, stadiums etc.

The movement toward interoperable, connected devices and systems within a building requires cooperation between many different parties, many of whom are historical business competitors. Despite the challenge, voluntary collaboration over the past two decades has led to the adoption of open standards such as BACnet®, Modbus®, and LonWorks®, leveling the playing field by enabling every manufacturer and contractor to make their contribution to a functional whole. The result is a building where lighting, air conditioning, security and other systems pass data freely back and forth – leading to higher efficiency, more safety and comfort, and lower cost operation of the facility.

These benefits range from energy savings to productivity gains to sustainability. Smart building strategies can reduce energy costs, increase the productivity of the facility staff, improve building operations, support sustainability efforts and enhance decision-making across the organization.