Facilities managers have seen the value of smart-building technology and began investing — and the market shows it. Some estimates project the global smart building market to climb as high as $127.09 billion (with a “B”) by 2027.
Several driving forces play into that staggering sum, including pushes to improve building sustainability and reduce carbon footprint, while also creating better, healthier environments for people to live and work.
Some reports show 70% of organizations plan to invest more in building control technology in the years ahead, and that includes anything from Internet of Things (IoT) devices and beyond.
But, as these facilities managers outline their budgets for next year, it’s important to consider how IoT devices will connect to the building’s network.
Creating a smart building requires careful planning and consideration to avoid excessive retrofitting, unorganization, and, plainly, poor results.
What facilities managers must avoid is installing all this new, smart-building technology without a firm understanding how it will impact the network, and by extension, the people who must access everything from the data collected by IoT devices or simply accessing the WiFi. With this in mind, It’s important to consider installing a converged network.
Converged Networks Improve Efficiency and Connectivity
Part of the reason the smart-building industry continues to swell is because of the results. By collecting data and using technology to strategically operate buildings, the results could include substantial savings in energy costs, improved indoor air quality, or even respected certifications like LEED or WELL.
But how will all this technology connect?
IoT devices must have access to the building’s network, which historically means bringing on individual network specialists to set up what’s needed to operate the system for the entire building, whether it’s to control HVAC or monitor water usage.
So, for each system that goes into a building, a network specialist comes on site to install a system. The result is copied work that’s unnecessary and leaves the door open to more problems down the line, including inefficient workflows for gathering data from disparate systems.
Further, cloning work in this way costs money. Each time a different vendor adds a network to the building to run its system, it eats up facilities managers’ budget.
Duplicate work, unorganized networks, and inefficient processes end with a converged network.
What is a converged network?
A converged network is a consolidated, single network installed in the building. Once installed, it’s managed via software, divided into subnetworks (VLANs) that are dedicated to individual IoT devices or systems.
For example, if a building manager wanted to manage air quality, monitor water usage, and so on. Each system connects to a subnetwork. Each subnetwork is a part of the converged network.
The main benefits here have to do, in part, with efficiency and control. By keeping everything on a single network for the building, it reduces the number of times network specialists must come on-site to retrofit a new system. Instead, new systems find their place among the others and connect via the converged network infrastructure that’s in place.
This is most ideal for those facilities managers seeking to turn their traditional buildings into modern, connected environments that yield actionable data. With a converged network, facilities managers can worry a little less about retrofitting costs and impacts, and focus their time more on how to achieve critical goals, like energy efficiency or optimal living or working conditions.
Quit the Retrofit, Opt for a Converged Network
New constructions have the advantage of building a converged network into their plans early on, but it’s still achievable for established buildings too.
One of the first steps facilities managers must take is to identify goals for the building and begin mapping out how different systems will play a role in helping work toward those goals. Which systems will the building feature in a year, five years, and so on? What are the network demands for occupants or organizations renting space? Ask yourself and other stakeholders these questions.
Then, consider working with an integration partner like CommLink. CommLink Integration takes a methodical approach to systems and network design to ensure installations align with short and long-term goals. From network setup to cabling and more, CommLink can help facilities and IT professionals arrive at a solution that meets their goals. Learn more about our solutions here.