Data Analytics (AI/ML)

Data analytics converts raw data into actionable insights. It includes a range of tools, technologies, and processes used to find trends and solve problems by using data. Data analytics can shape business processes, improve decision-making, and foster business growth.

Building analytics are data analytics gleaned from smart building technologies such as networked sensors, building management systems (BMSs), integrated workplace management systems (IWMSs) and internet of things (IoT) edge devices.

This data can be used to increase efficiency, develop smarter equipment maintenance protocols, create a healthier building environment, and, ultimately, lead to happier tenants.

Now, consider a building with no analytics in place for monitoring its systems. Equipment is breaking down, there are air quality and temperature issues, and energy efficiency isn’t even on the radar. Without concrete data, you are lacking the information you need to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. In fact, you may not detect them at all.

If you’re not capitalizing on data analytics in buildings, you’re not building or operating a truly smart building. And for today’s contractors, engineers, and building owners, achieving the capabilities of smart buildings are essential to your success.

Achieving a Smart Building Through Analytics
A truly smart building combines a building management system with intelligent data analytics software that offers helpful insights for maintenance, service, and efficiency opportunities.

Smart data analytics, together with a building management system, offer benefits for building owners, such as:

 – Providing a high-level, system-wide big picture data capture of your entire operations
 – Ensuring air quality control and a healthier building environment
 – Saving energy and energy consumption during off-peak or low occupancy periods
 – Eliminating waste from everyday system usage through intelligent sensor data
 – Offering guidance for performance improvements for individual assets
 – Addressing equipment that really needs repair and not just those on a fixed schedule that don’t need to be serviced
 – Offering advanced automation capabilities and actionable results
In other words, smart data analytics provides system-wide opportunities for developing efficiencies, producing a healthier building environment, and improving comfort levels for tenants while reducing overhead expenditures.

In addition to these benefits, the cost savings related to the use of smart data analytics can be significant. A 2019 study by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) found that the median energy savings realized by participants with energy information systems was 4%. For those with fault detection and diagnostic tools, that number rose to 9%. Collectively, the 45 study participants saved $59 million per year after integrating energy management and information systems tools.

Additional Benefits of Data Analytics in Buildings
While energy efficiency is typically a top concern for building owners, data analytics can also be used to streamline and reduce costs in other areas.

Eliminating Waste
Eliminating waste is a unique benefit of data analytics and can happen in many forms. For example, a bathroom supplies monitoring company was able to save 40% in overall costs by using sensors to determine when soaps and toilet paper rolls needed to be changed. Through data analytics, the company developed more efficient operations in terms of both material and labor. Similar methods can be used to monitor office supplies, break room inventory, and other building necessities.

Transforming Maintenance and Repair
Preventive maintenance is an invaluable part of operating an efficient building, but not all routine maintenance is truly necessary. As a result, you may be wasting time, money, and manpower. Deploying smart data analytics allows you to monitor and identify the need for maintenance and repairs before breakdowns happen. This means:

Better human and equipment asset allocation
Fewer truck rolls, reducing pointless and redundant visits
More efficient maintenance procedures, including scheduled trips and maintenance around known issues and avoidance of expensive breakdowns and repairs
Extension of the life of your expensive assets
Protection of your systems from costly downtime
Backing up your maintenance calls with insightful data, prioritizing alarms, and addressing problems early will reduce costs and protect assets intelligently.