Navigating the complexity of Smart Building technology
The promise of intelligent buildings – responsive, efficient, user-friendly environments powered by smart technology and underpinned by Building Information Modelling (BIM) – is compelling. However, the path towards this digital transformation is rarely straightforward.
In a recent webinar, we welcomed Mark Perrett and Bryan Edwards from independent digital consultancy PTS Consulting to give their insights into the common obstacles organisations encounter when embarking on the smart building journey – and how they can be overcome. View the full recording here: Enabling Intelligent Building Technology with BIM and Digital Construction
You can find more in-depth discussions on trends in digital construction in our upcoming webinars
The foundational problem: poor quality baseline data
The most fundamental challenge, although often the most overlooked, is the poor state of existing building data. Many operators or estate managers inherit baseline data that is inaccurate, inconsistent, or incomplete, spread between paper copies and out-of-date digital formats. Significant time and resource investment is necessary to fix this, including re-surveying sites and manually verifying asset details before any new technology can even be considered.
For example, a critical issue highlighted in the webinar is the absence of common standards and conventions. Attempts to integrate different systems or analyse data effectively can be severely hampered without consistent ways to name spaces or classify assets across the estate.
Layering sophisticated technology onto such unreliable foundations is like building on unsafe ground.
The integration maze: getting disparate systems to cooperate
Modern buildings contain a multitude of systems – Building Management Systems (BMS), lighting controls, access control, security, fire safety, and more. In many cases, these systems will have been installed at different times, by different suppliers, and never designed to communicate with one another. Reconciling these legacy systems and successfully integrating them with up-to-date Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, smart platforms, and analytical tools can be technically complex, time-consuming and expensive.
And on the software side, similar issues are common. Systems or platforms used by different departments (like CAFM for facilities, space management tools, energy monitoring dashboards) often operate completely independently of each other. Older applications may never have been intended to integrate with any other system. As PTS Consulting noted in our webinar, creating the necessary "integration layer" to bridge these gaps requires careful planning and specific expertise, which may not exist in-house.
Successfully navigating this integration maze is crucial but presents a significant technical hurdle.
Technology hurdles: choosing and installing wisely
Navigating legacy technology is one issue, but with that done, the variety of new technology available brings its own set of challenges. Selecting the right sensors, software platform, or management systems is crucial to ensuring a well-integrated and future-proof smart building. But in reality, budgets aren’t unlimited, and trade-offs may have to be made.
For example, choosing whether to install wired or wireless sensors. As discussed in the webinar Q&A, wired sensors generally offer greater reliability but can be highly disruptive and costly to install, particularly in older, occupied buildings. Wireless sensors provide flexibility and easier installation but raise valid concerns about battery life (which is often shorter in reality than manufacturers claim), the ongoing burden of battery management and replacement, and the potential environmental impact of battery disposal.
A holistic view is necessary to ensure hardware and software address both current and future integration and performance requirements.
Overcoming organisational and cultural barriers
Technology alone does not make a building “smart”. People and processes are equally critical. A major challenge can often be bridging the divide between estates or facilities management teams and IT departments, bringing different priorities, operational cultures, and technical languages to the table. However, successful implementation means getting these two groups to collaborate effectively, which may require changes in structure, communication, and funding models.
Gaining buy-in from senior leadership can be difficult, especially when significant investment is needed for less "glamorous" foundational work like improving data quality or upgrading network infrastructure. Upskilling your teams to use new systems effectively and contribute ground-level insights is vital, as is ensuring that experienced staff are on board with the changes.
Articulating the long-term value proposition is key, managing any resistance to change through clear communication, training, and involving staff in the process.
Defining the strategy: where and how to begin?
Many organisations struggle simply knowing where and how to start their smart building journey – perhaps lacking a coherent strategy or vision, making it difficult to prioritise initiatives or measure success. Translating the technical possibilities of smart technology into tangible, relatable benefits that resonate with non-technical stakeholders and senior management is often a challenge, as we saw in the webinar, with the University of Liverpool's need for a "user scenario playbook".
Developing clear, concise information requirements is essential to communicate needs effectively to technology suppliers, consultants, and internal teams, ensuring everyone is aligned.
Need to start implementing smart technology in your buildings?
The good news? While the route to success in designing, equipping and managing smart buildings successfully is complex and presents numerous challenges, none of these obstacles are insurmountable. Structured data and consistent processes (BIM/IM) using clear standards are the crucial foundation for smart technology integration and system interoperability. If you’re unsure where to start, Majenta can help. Get in touch using the link below to learn more.
