The game-changing potential for IoT to redefine the facilities management landscape is undeniable, says David Rowan, CEO of Archangel. Who doesn’t want higher levels of efficiency, sustainability and occupant comfort?
The onward march of technology and the inevitable economies of scale that follow in its wake are good news for the facilities management sector.
In fact, the transformation of buildings into intelligent eco-systems that continually deliver value is good news for all of us.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is driving this change and allowing us to do more and more with less and less.
The traditional approach has had its day with many FM professionals in this transformative vanguard now incorporating smart IoT sensors that monitor a wide range of environmental conditions such as HVAC systems, lighting, water usage and security in real-time.
Already proving itself within social housing, health and care, Archangel’s comprehensive, ‘joined up’ approach, marrying sensors with a flexible, future-proof platform and a reliable networking solution is a perfect fit for FM.
The data that is fed into, and aggregated within, the platform provides reports that tick the boxes when it comes to any compliance and audit requirements. It also delivers automated actions that can be set on a fully bespoke basis by each user, building or requested scenario.
Embracing the incredible potential of AI and machine-learning will only accelerate this process and progress with the old reactive ways fast being replaced by a proactive, predictive and ultimately preventive approach.
The reliance on scheduled maintenance and reactive responses to system failures leads to unnecessary costs, downtime and wastage of resources. IoT’s ability to deliver real-time data collection and analysis allows FM managers to adopt proactive maintenance strategies and better decision-making through the prediction of failures before they occur.
Indeed, IoT contributes towards sustainability targets by optimising energy consumption and reducing carbon footprints. Smart lighting systems that adjust based on occupancy and daylight along with HVAC monitoring leading to significant energy savings and a greener footprint.
Enhancing the experience for a building’s users in terms of safety, comfort and the creation of personalised environments is another key consideration. For instance, smart ventilation improves air quality and apps can provide a facility’s occupants with details of maintenance schedules.
There are, of course, challenges that accompany this shift from the reactive to the proactive. Security concerns, data privacy and the need for robust connectivity can be pressing issues. Facility managers must prioritise cybersecurity and ensure that IoT systems are protected against breaches with the initial investment and complexity of integrating diverse devices often proving daunting and the requirement for strategic planning and skilled personnel.
Once again Archangel’s connected approach can allay these fears and deliver attractive returns on investment that will only grow over time. A recent IoT project for a major Scottish social housing provider is a case in point. A 4.4 to one first year ROI has led to the firm rolling out our technologies to other venues across their estate with independent evaluation demonstrating an £18.5m annual saving just for Scottish sheltered housing schemes.
The game-changing potential for IoT to redefine the facilities management landscape is undeniable. As technology advances and costs decline, a growing number of FM providers are recognising this trend and investing accordingly.
After all, who doesn’t want higher levels of efficiency, sustainability and occupant comfort?
There is a better way to deliver FM with all of the technologies out there to deliver a smart, connected, data driven future made possible by IoT.
