Next up? Smart buildings
Next up? Smart buildings
Smart buildings are forecast to be one of the highest users of Internet of Things (IoT) applications with over a billion things expected to be connected, globally, by 2018.
Alongside Cisco Systems Canada and RYCOM, we are working with Oxford Properties Limited to facilitate the deployment of Oxford Properties’ Smart and Connected Building Platform across select Canadian commercial and retail properties by the end of 2017. We sat down with Ignacio Paz, Director, Internet of Things, to find out more about connected buildings and the work we are doing with Oxford.
1. Can you talk to us about the shift to connected buildings and the benefit they provide?
There are numerous benefits! Smart buildings can reduce energy costs, increase the productivity of the facility staff, improve building operations, support sustainability efforts and enhance decision-making across the organization. If you boil it down, smart buildings will help commercial real estate companies (like Oxford) drive business outcomes like improving a building’s energy efficiency. With a smart building, the building automation system could learn when it should bring the air conditioning system online for a particular area in the building, which would reduce overall operating costs in that building.
"If you boil it down, smart buildings will help commercial real estate companies (like Oxford) drive business outcomes like improving a building’s energy efficiency."- Ignacio Paz, Director, Internet of Things
Smart buildings are not just beneficial for the owner of the building. The companies that operate within that building will also see a number of benefits.
2. Working with Cisco and RYCOM, what are we doing with Oxford Properties?
Most of Oxford’s commercial and retail properties have one network for every system, which can increase costs. Working with Cisco and RYCOM, we will be delivering a technology infrastructure and hardware to support the deployment of Oxford Properties’ smart and connected buildings platform as well as network design and connectivity.
This will deliver secure mobility for Oxford’s tenants and employees to connect applications for building management, video surveillance cameras, connected energy meters, HVAC systems and digital signs. The platform will also act as a stepping stone for Oxford and their tenants’ to leverage additional technologies like Internet of Things devices and cloud solutions, all connected to the same (secure) IP enabled network.
3. How does what we are doing in the Internet of Things market help us build a digital future?
Simple: Everything is going to be linked! In the near-future, we will see an Internet of People – the connection of everyday objects that will be recognized and controlled by identity using sensors, tags and smartphones.
"In the near-future, we will see an Internet of People – the connection of everyday objects that will be recognized and controlled by identity using sensors, tags and smartphones."- Ignacio Paz, Director, Internet of Things
We know businesses are going to invest in and deploy connected solutions. We want to be there to work with them along their IoT journey and help them find what solutions fit best with their business.