Kieran Byrne, Architect & Engineering Manager at Axis Communications, explores the potential for smart devices and analytics to revolutionise real estate management.
The tech revolution has hit real estate. The rise of IoT devices and other smart systems offers the industry insights that will play a key role in transforming commercial properties into more efficient, sustainable, and secure environments. The key, though, is that the data smart sensors generate must be transformed into actionable intelligence if it is to affect any real change.
The DIKW Pyramid, also known as the knowledge pyramid, represents an information hierarchy from Data – Information – Knowledge – Wisdom, and highlights the importance of this process. Data, properly analysed, turns into Information; from information we can gain Knowledge of the status and behaviour of systems; and from this we generate Wisdom. Through this systematic transformation, data becomes action. What’s happening dictates what to do.
Moreover, that data is already there for the taking. The systems securing commercial real estate have advanced to the point that they are ready to take on more than a security surveillance role. They are now intelligent sensors within a smart ecosystem, gathering vast amounts of data every second, around the clock. Through open standards, this data can be seamlessly and logically integrated with other systems, providing long-term flexibility and adaptability in an ever-changing landscape.
Making the most of data
Analysis and interpretation of video, audio, thermal, or building access data offers facilities managers the knowledge and wisdom to make decisions which optimise building performance, improve security, and create more sustainable operations. Actionable data can feed into process automations, helping to maintain a more adaptive and responsive environment without time consuming or unnecessary human interactions.
Today’s network cameras are capable of running powerful applications directly at the network edge, allowing them to take advantage of a large catalogue of existing analytics tools and translate data into information locally. Analysis of camera data could be used to optimise heating, lighting, and air conditioning based on real-time occupancy levels, for instance, with edge analytics enabling real-time decisions that make buildings smarter and more adaptable.
The power of video analytics
Key real estate camera analytics functions can be categorised into three key areas. Video can be used to enhance the security function, improving protection by proactively monitoring threats; secondly, it can simultaneously perform a safety role, contributing to the creation of a safer environment for employees and occupants; and thirdly, the knowledge and wisdom of such data can improve operational efficiency, streamlining processes to improve resource usage.
That is not to say, though, that the possibilities of data analysis are limited to those three areas. Sustainability, for example, is a critical priority in commercial real estate. Clever use of IoT technology can drive smarter energy management through real-time monitoring of energy usage, temperature, and air quality. Compliance with legislation is increasingly important in this context, particularly considering the impact of the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). Through data collection and analysis, property owners can not only identify areas for improvement and implement energy-saving measures, but also actively demonstrate compliance.
Network Audio: A New Era of Communication
Just as network video revolutionised security, network audio is reshaping the way businesses approach audio communication. These systems are dynamic, able to suit a range of needs. They could deter intruders, delivering critical emergency instructions, or enhance the workplace ambiance with carefully curated background music. In commercial buildings, network audio systems integrate paging, public address, and announcements into one cohesive solution.
By creating a more engaging auditory environment and ensuring clear, consistent messaging, these systems play a pivotal role in fostering a responsive and connected workplace. Using connected, open systems, network audio becomes a core part of smart building systems, reacting to knowledge gleaned from other sensors to automatically issue alerts when required. Occupancy monitoring can even narrow the location of audio alerts to those areas which specifically require them, or alert security operatives with the specifics of incidents detected by other elements of a networked system.
Smart Buildings Need Smart Cybersecurity
Just as security hardware is a non-negotiable feature of commercial real estate, cybersecurity is also vital. The risks of neglecting this are enormous, because building managers are not the only ones able to turn data into knowledge. If a building’s sensor network is compromised, it could jeopardize the safety of the entire system, exposing sensitive data, operational controls, and even the personal security of occupants.
Introducing a new device isn’t just about its smart capabilities, therefore. It is vital to evaluate the cybersecurity features and supply chain attached to any device going into long-term service, in order to ensure secure, responsible implementation. Partnering with trusted vendors is critical to mitigating risks, not only for immediate cyber protection, but for the updates and support which should ensure that protection continues long into the future. Cybersecurity isn’t just about preventing hacks – it's about maintaining trust in the building’s operations, ensuring that smart buildings remain safe, efficient, and resilient against evolving digital threats.
The future is connected
The future of commercial real estate is being shaped by the power of technology and also by the potential of logical, joined up thinking in the way that technology is used. Data alone is not enough; it must be analysed and acted upon to drive real change. Proactive systems design and making the most of the connected IoT hardware ecosystem, will help usher in a new era of commercial real estate management – one which knows more, and can do more, than ever before to help shape a smarter, safer world.
