Intelligent Building Management Solutions must understand Space Usage and Traffic
As building systems, materials, and uses continue to evolve, one thing has remained constant - traffic. Our buildings are created to be occupied, but in reality take no notice of said occupancy. They operate largely the same whether full or empty, and for too long we have done little to adjust this issue.
Building management systems are present to help us manage those buildings, but are often reliant on human controls or intervention to remain operational. This leads to buildings that operate on preset settings and schedules, regardless of occupancy, usage, weather, upgrades, and more. To help alleviate these inefficiencies, managers and owners should invest in intelligent building management solutions that understand usage and traffic.
Intelligent building management solutions help spaces and buildings operate at improved efficiency and to their full potential. To do this, they must include three key factors - the capture of usage and traffic data, technology to capture that data, and a means to implement changes that align with that data.
When it comes to building usage and traffic, there are a number of data points that can be taken into consideration, and can also be applied to not just buildings, but also spaces, rooms, and floors. When combined and compared, these data points can also unlock actionable insights into how your spaces are being used as well.
Entries and exits
Live and historic occupancy
Movement and directionality
Dwell and usage times
Methods for capturing this data have also evolved, and there are a number of technologies available to record and organize that data that can be tied into an intelligent building management solution, some easier than others, and some more accurate than others.
Cameras and motion detectors
Floor sensors in entries and large spaces
Beam counters in entries or doorways
Scanners for badgers, IDs, etc.
With data points identified and means to capture them employed, new data sources can be leveraged and connected to a variety of building operations. Here are just a few areas that can be improved or even automated through deeper data capture and control, and a greater understanding of how your spaces, rooms, and buildings are being used.
Security and abnormal event alerts
Energy and HVAC system controls
Resource and service allocation
More efficient staff assignments and hiring
Regular and preventative maintenance schedules
Space design and renovations
Every building needs a management system, but taking things a step further and investing in intelligent building management solutions, technologies, and practices can provide huge returns. As we just stated, saving money through more efficient HVAC systems that are tied to occupancy, designing better spaces that align with usage, maintaining staff that meets actual needs, and more are just a few of the benefits you can see through an investment and commitment to creating smarter buildings and spaces.