An Introduction to Smart Buildings

July 29, 2020

People who use fitness trackers and other similar technology will often say that they learned so much about themselves and their habits by using such devices. Aggregating data - even as simple as how many steps one takes in a day - can reveal patterns we never knew existed. And changing behavior – always difficult, as we all know – can be made easier simply by having access to that data.

Imagine what kinds of changes we can make when it comes to more than just one person, but to an entire office, company, or apartment building. This is possible through technology we already have today, by combining the Internet of Things (IoT) with a Power over Ethernet (PoE) backbone to create smart buildings. It is likely that you have heard of at least some of this technology already but may not know of some of the incredible features these systems can possess. PoE is modular, flexible, and provides continuous data about the health and wellness of all who reside in your building. There are countless elements to these incredible platforms, and we have only begun to scratch the surface with what they can provide for us.

And what is done for the sake of improving human lives often has a benefit to the planet, as well. One of the smartest buildings on earth, the Edge in Amsterdam, is also the greenest: it was awarded the highest sustainability score ever given by BREEAM (the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), receiving a 98.4% due to its innovations with smart technology.

Consider just some of the numerous ways that smart buildings can benefit your building and your planet.