Modern building automation systems are increasingly becoming central data and management platforms for commercial property. Whilst building automation systems (BAS) were originally used primarily to control heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, today’s solutions encompass numerous additional functions – from lighting, access control and fire safety to energy management, tenant apps and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
According to Future Market Insights, one of the greatest short-term opportunities lies in occupancy-based building optimisation. If real-time data on room usage is integrated into the building automation system, temperature, ventilation and lighting can be dynamically adjusted to actual usage. Data sources range from calendar applications and access control systems to Wi-Fi analytics and dedicated occupancy sensors. According to case studies from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star programme, this can achieve energy savings of 20 to 30 per cent.
However, as connectivity increases, so do the demands on cybersecurity. Modern BAS platforms are now often IP-based and enable remote access. As a result, they are coming under greater scrutiny in OT security strategies. The cyberattack on a water treatment plant in Oldsmar, Florida, in 2021 highlighted the risks of networked infrastructure. Although security guidelines from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) now exist, the implementation of corresponding protective measures remains inconsistent.
Another point of discussion concerns ownership rights to building data. Modern building automation systems collect extensive information on usage patterns and occupancy data. It remains largely unclear whether this data belongs to the building owner, the operator, the tenant or the system provider. The answers to these questions could have significant implications for data usage, insurance and business models in the future.
The modernisation market is currently developing particularly dynamically. As the majority of commercial property worldwide was built before the introduction of modern building automation systems, there is a significant demand for retrofit solutions. New wireless sensor technologies, edge computing systems and cloud-based platforms make integration into existing building structures considerably easier.
Furthermore, smart building features are becoming increasingly important for the marketing of commercial property. Mobile workspace bookings, individual climate control, air quality displays and contactless access solutions are now among the factors influencing rental decisions. According to the CBRE Global Real Estate Market Outlook, smart building features are now among the most important criteria for large corporate clients when selecting new office space.
This trend shows that building automation today goes far beyond traditional building services. Issues such as hybrid working, sustainability targets, data management and user experience are driving this transformation. As a result, competition is increasingly shifting from hardware towards the software and data platforms that make buildings smarter, more efficient and safer.
