The Internet of Things is more than sensors. It’s your most powerful communications tool.
If you’re still debating whether you need automated sensors, where you should install them, and what you should measure, you’re already behind.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is how your building communicates its condition, usage, and performance. AI can then translate the millions of IoT data points into meaningful insights and intentional actions—often automatically.
But without a solid IoT foundation, you can’t and won’t benefit from what AI has to offer.
Matt Deehan, Vice President of Facility Management Solutions at UG2, calls IoT “the backbone for building operations.” In his Facility Executive article, How IOT And AI Are Reshaping Facilities, Matt explains that despite the hype around IoT, too many facilities are behind.
Step one is using connected devices to get data that was once manually checked—or even invisible.
Step two is critical: taking action on volumes of data that is too much for a human to process, but the perfect use for AI.
Here’s a sneak peek at the IoT trends that Matt says are already shaping facilities management.
Maintenance: From Reactive to Ready
Many facilities are using IoT to fix issues before they become a complaint or, worse, an emergency.
With AI, facilities teams can identify patterns and anticipate issues. Calendar-based maintenance doesn’t completely go away, but emergency repairs, asset failures, and tenant complaints are significantly reduced.
Digital Twins: From Static to Living
Without sensor data, digital twins are static models. With historical and real-time data from IoT-connected devices, sensors bring digital twins to life.
Matt explains that digital twins are too often misunderstood, with FM leaders equating them with 3-D visualization or assuming they are massive, expensive projects, which isn’t always the case.
Instead, when these dynamic digital representations of physical assets, spaces, and systems are informed by IoT data, they give you deep insight about your facility. You can make decisions and prioritizations based on what’s happening on the ground instead of what you assume is happening.
Energy: From Metering to Management
Basic energy metering is shifting into AI-enabled adjustments.
While many facilities have IoT sensors and meters providing insight into energy consumption, AI is taking this a step further.
AI can reveal usage patterns, flag anomalies, and provide—and even make—real-time adjustments. With AI tackling routine decisions, teams get time back to focus on more complex issues.
As Matt says, The Internet of Things is not just another technology layer in facilities management. It is the bridge between the physical and digital worlds and, increasingly, the backbone for building operations.
To learn more, read the full article on Facility Executive—or contact us to talk through your IoT strategy.