Smart Buildings Need Smart Connectivity – How Connected Are You

The Environmental Protection Agency tells us that the average American spends 93 percent of his life indoors – either in a building or in some kind of vehicle. Statistics like this aren’t readily available for South Africa, but when you think about it, we’re probably not too different from our friends across the pond. Between travelling to and from work, being at work, and spending time at home, there’s not a lot of time left for being outside. So, with so much time spent inside buildings, doesn’t it make sense to make sure we’re as happy and comfortable as possible inside those buildings? Smart buildings are the way to ensure this.

It seems everywhere you look at the moment, everyone’s talking about smart buildings. And yet, connectivity in commercial office buildings is not new. Anyone who has had an office job at any time since the early 90s will have been given a computer and a network login. So why now? Why is there so much excitement around smart buildings?

The answer to that is all wrapped up in the Internet of Things (IoT). Buildings represent a company’s second largest expense after salaries. Naturally, therefore, building owners and managers are continually searching for ways to reduce building running costs without compromising on the comfort and safety of the people who use it every day. The Internet of Things makes smart building solutions possible by transforming traditional building management and automation systems.

How Connected Is Your Building Really?

We are living in the era of the “fourth industrial revolution.” Building connectivity is no longer the exception, but the expected norm. You might think your building is already as smart as it needs to be, but let’s do a little test to make sure. Ask yourself these three key questions:

• Do your employees have adequate data connectivity to perform their duties productively?
• Are your telephones available when it matters most?
• Do you have sufficient Wi-Fi coverage throughout your office, for all your applications?

All connectivity is not created equal, so if any of those questions left you wondering, it’s time to seriously re-examine your building’s connectivity.

Of course, connectivity in smart buildings is not only limited to how great your Wi-Fi signal is in the deepest recesses of your offices. It encompasses far, far more than that. Security (in the form of access control), fire suppression systems, HVAC and lighting all rely on your Internet connectivity to function efficiently. As the Internet of Things continues to change how buildings are constructed and facilities managed, systems integration will become increasingly important.

Benefits Of Smart Buildings

With an increasing number of employees working remotely, and many others choosing to bring their own devices to work, smart building connectivity is not negotiable. It is so key, in fact, that when prospective tenants look around potential new office space, they often bring their company IT manager with them to check for connectivity issues. Dead zones seriously compromise your building’s competitiveness, and you could struggle to secure a lease.

If your building’s HVAC systems aren’t properly tuned, as is the case when your employees are always cold even when it’s hot outside, you’re wasting money on electricity costs. Intelligent building automation systems, powered by comprehensive in-building connectivity, can regulate air conditioning, heating and lighting according to ambient environmental conditions. This ensures optimal comfort for employees and a far more efficient use of energy (and therefore, savings on costs) for tenants. Building owners who fail to ensure these systems are in place will once again find they are less competitive, meaning they will have to reduce rents to attract tenants.

Why Partnering With Us Is A Smart Move

When you trust your smart building’s connectivity to us, you know your interoffice connectivity, as well as your overall Internet connection, will not only be stable but also highly secure. At Huge Connect, we’re all about simplifying office connectivity without compromising on performance. We offer managed, consolidated solutions to help ensure your smart building runs smoothly, easily and cost-effectively. Talk to us about all your data & voice solutions.