New laws about climate and energy use have made data management a top priority for companies. In Europe, large companies must start following new reporting rules called CSRD in 2024, with their first reports due in 2025 (KeyESG,...
Technology
Plain-English explainers on tech that actually helps on site: alarms, analytics, APIs and integrations that reduce effort—not add it.
Open Source BMS: Opportunity or Operational Risk?
The building management systems (BMS) landscape is experiencing a fundamental shift. As facility managers and property owners grapple with aging infrastructure, escalating licensing costs, and the demand for greater...
The Cyber Side of BAS: Are You the Weakest Link?
In an era where buildings have become as smart as the devices in our pockets, the convergence of operational technology and information technology has transformed how we manage facilities. Building Automation Systems (BAS) now...
AI as the New Facilities Manager: How Much Autonomy is Too Much?
The modern facility is evolving at warp speed, and at the helm of this transformation is artificial intelligence. AI-powered building automation is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s happening now. HVAC systems optimize themselves, security protocols adjust in...
Why Indoor Air Quality is the Next Frontier
Remember when "fresh air" meant opening a window? Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) isn't just a buzzword—it's a lifeline for the buildings of the future. The COVID-19 pandemic turned air quality from a niche concern into a major priority for building owners, facility...
Bridging the HVAC Skills Gap: Can Tech and Training Save the Workforce?
With 40% of HVACR technicians set to retire, the industry faces a daunting question: can technology and training bridge the gap before the sector falters? This isn’t a hypothetical challenge—it’s an imminent crisis threatening the critical infrastructure that keeps...
AI-Driven HVACR: The Era of Self-Healing Systems
What if your HVAC system could anticipate failures and fix itself before you even knew there was a problem? Sound like sci-fi? Think again. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just playing chess or writing poetry—it’s revolutionizing HVACR systems by...
Energy Efficiency in Older Buildings: Retrofitting Solutions for the 21st Century
When it comes to energy efficiency, older buildings often get a bad rap. Constructed long before modern efficiency standards and packed with aging systems, they’re perceived as energy hogs. Yet, these structures—whether historic landmarks or mid-century office...
How Machine Learning is Transforming Building Climate Control
Imagine stepping into a building where the temperature feels like it was custom-made for you—not based on a generic standard, but perfectly aligned with your preferences, activity level, and even how you're feeling that day. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the...
AI for the Little Guys: How Small Commercial Buildings Can Tap into Predictive Maintenance
Imagine running a marathon blindfolded—pretty risky, right? Now picture running your building operations the same way, relying on guesswork to fix equipment before it breaks down. Fortunately, AI-powered predictive maintenance is here to rip off that blindfold and...
Disaster Resilience Series Part 1: Real-Time Monitoring
The Role of Building Automation in Disaster Resilience (1/3) The frequency and intensity of natural disasters are only increasing. As facility managers, owners, and engineers, it's no longer a question of if disaster will strike, but when. That’s why my series, The...
The Rise of Smart Building as a Service (SBaaS)
In the ever-evolving landscape of building automation, a new paradigm is emerging: Smart Building as a Service (SBaaS). This model takes the advanced technology of smart building management and energy optimization and wraps it up in a subscription-based package,...