Research & Insights

The Future of Building Management

OverviewEmpirically, the conventional way of property management has been laborious, costly, and time-consuming. The manual way of tracking large amounts of paperwork, lengthy approval processes, and costly management fees are some of the frustrations that property owners faced in their daily building and staff operations. The pandemic has exacerbated these problems as many businesses are abruptly forced to cut costs, reduce manpower and re-assess their mode of working. In addition to these challenges, the main concern for building owners is the increase in complexity of new buildings. As we transition to more complex and high-performing developments, it is becoming more apparent that the conventional way of building management is just not up to the task of managing today’s building operations. From an equipment perspective, we now have buildings with energy and sustainability systems which are relatively new for building systems that even five years ago were not commonplace. The systems that make up the building environment often require varying levels of periodic intervention to run optimally. Therefore, building owners are increasingly seeking building management solutions that provide a clear picture of building operations, equipment and efficiency opportunities in their properties. What is a Building Management SystemA building management system (BMS) is a computer-based control system that controls and automates many aspects of a building. From lighting to ventilation to video surveillance and security, everything is interconnected with a building management system with the aim toward streamlining and improving the building’s efficiency. BMS will play a key role in the future of smart buildings as it can significantly enhance productivity, reduce manpower costs and ensure comfort and safety for the people working in the building. Building Management System ArchitectureA building management system typically consist of the following:- SensorsThe sensor devices will collect data such as temperatures, humidity, tenant staff entry, room occupancy etc. throughout the building.- ControllersThe controllers are the brains of the BMS. It decides on the best course of action to keep the building operating in alignment with the preferences when the BMS was set up based on data gathered from the sensors.  - Output DevicesThe output devices which include relays and actuators will carry out the commands made by the controllers.- User InterfaceThe user interface, usually accessible remotely via a mobile device such as smartphone, tablet or laptop, allows you to interact with the building automation system by monitoring the data reported. Benefits of Building Management SystemBMS offer a wide range of benefits for building owners and tenants. Some of the benefits are:- Access to the Fuller PictureBMS enables building owners to have a clearer overview of energy usage data which will significantly enhance cost and energy-efficiency of the building. The Beblu BMS offers real-time context-based insights on building conditions, assets and equipment.- Simplified Custom ReportsBMS can produce reports that reveal trends and demonstrate progress towards efficiency goals. It can be generated on-demand and automatically at regular basis and distributed to stakeholders and easily accessed via customer-facing portals- Streamlined Internal SystemsInterconnected network of building management and analytics tools that allows continuous collection and analysis of data from devices and sensors. These includes:- Indoor air quality sensors- Lighting controls- Smart access control system- Digital Power Meters- Improved UptimeBy allowing critical insights to be extracted from large volumes of data, analytics platforms allow greater focus on areas where downtime can be minimised, improving operational efficiencies and reducing costs.  - Increased Energy and Utility Efficiency OpportunitiesFor building owners, this is typically top priority as it can result in significant savings, up to 40% energy-efficiency savings. The BMS can also help track energy consumption and produce energy efficiency reports, identify valve leakage and provide valuable airside analytics- Optimised Maintenance TeamsBMS can monitor equipment and assets effectively to reduce system breakdowns. It also improves efficiency of field service visits and allows for smaller maintenance teams which will reduce manpower costs. BMS can also be integrated with computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS) to provide superior performance monitoring and maintenance management. This helps reduce maintenance costs as preventive maintenance is 3 to 9 times cheaper than reactive maintenance.

The Beblu Team

5 Features and Benefits of Working in a Smart Office

Thanks to the advancement of technology, the embeddedness of smart technology in every domain of life have a transformative impact on how we live, work, play and connect. The Internet of Things (IoT), which is a smart technology system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, or objects that are provided with Unique Identifiers (UID), has led to real-world applications ranging from consumer IoT to industrial IoT. In recent years, the shift to a hybrid working environment caused by the pandemic has sparked an exponential increase in smart office adoption. IoT-enabled devices coupled with consumer-focused smart home devices like smart displays have paved the way for new smart office innovations. So what exactly is a smart office? A smart office is a high-tech workspace that uses analytics and connected technology to help people work more efficiently and productively. There are a variety of smart office tools such as team collaboration software, smart lighting and climate control systems that are integrated into the workplace to support productive, seamless and automated working processes. Below are some of the benefits for adopting smart office technology. Increase Productivity of StaffSmart technology within an office environment has been proven to increase productivity and efficiency among staff. It allows people to achieve their professional goals much faster and focus on high-level skill development as it automates many laborious processes, freeing people to work on high-value tasks rather than menial repetitive ones. More SecureThe incorporation of security devices such as smart access systems and 24/7 security cameras enhances the security of both properties and works. These security devices also collect real-time data that are easily accessible and can be stored for monitoring purposes. Enhance Work RelationsSmart office technology helps enhance team collaboration and facilitates flexible working without compromising teamwork and productivity. This can be achieved by using team collaboration tools from Figma or Monday.com which contribute significantly to productive work output and efficiency. Provide Greater ConvenienceSmart technologies make the entire process of work management easier and more convenient as it simplifies work schedules and provide easy sharing of files, and documents among employees. Healthier and SustainableSome smart offices have intelligent ergonomic innovations that enable office dwellers to work more comfortably. Ergoworks Height Adjustable Desks is one of the ergonomic systems that enables one to work at an optimal sit-stand posture. Ergonomics in the workplace can significantly enhance the general well-being of the employee. A smart office also features intelligent lighting and climate controls that detect motions and activity. They can then regulate temperature and lighting or even automatically switch off when spaces are not in use. Intelligent lighting and climate controls are both cost-efficient and sustainable. What are some Smart Office Features?With that said, there are currently a variety of smart office technologies available that are useful in enhancing the security, productivity and well-being of the occupants. 1. Smart Entry SystemA Smart Entry System is the core feature of a smart office. Smart entry systems eliminate the tedious process of key management and help employees gain quick and secured access to the office. Currently, there are a variety of commercial access controls in the market. Openpath Keyless Door Access provides keycards, key fobs and mobile credentials access control to your office. Beblu Smart QR-Encrypted Access is another smart entry system that scans the mobile credentials of the employee. With smart access, one can add new tenant staff or enable visitors access almost instantly. In addition to that, the smart QR-Encrypted Access is also able to capture employees’ information for various HR purposes. 2. Smart Lighting and Climate ControlSmart Lighting and Climate Control allows one to work in a comfortable and convenient environment. Smart lighting system enables employees to manage the ambience of the office and climate control system detect preferences, usage patterns and regulate temperature accordingly. Smart lighting and climate control system are both cost and energy-efficient.Beblu Mobile Smart Lighting and Climate Control app manages lights, air-conditioning systems and window blinds with just a click of a button. 3. Digital WayfindingDigital Wayfinding serves as a guide for visitors and tenants to find their way around the office space with their smartphones. Digital wayfinding tools can help in building brand equity, easier navigation, creating organic guests experience and it is also ecological. Nimway Mobile Wayfinding Application allows one to locate places in the building easily, book meeting rooms and report any facility issues to the facility services. 4. Digital MeterSmart office technologies can also help play a part in benefitting the environment. Beblu Digital Meter provides real-time energy consumption data for tenants to monitor their monthly energy consumptions and recommends ways to reduce consumption. This will help in energy-conserving efforts as well as reduce the office’s monthly utility bills. 5. Smart Meeting RoomsAnother useful feature for a smart office is the smart meeting room software tool. It enables staff to view and schedule meeting timings which ensure seamless and organised collaborations. Nexudus, Cobot and Officernd are some subscription-based co-working space software used for smart meeting room management.

The Beblu Team

Upcoming Events