The Benefits of an Integrated PropTech Platform in Building Management

Introduction to System Integration in Buildings

In modern building management, many systems must work cohesively to ensure optimal functionality and a superior tenant experience. Traditionally, building managers have procured each system individually—such as parking management, visitor management, access control, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), lighting controls, video analytics and security systems — leading to a fragmented approach to procurement and vendor management. This method not only escalates the costs of building systems and technical infrastructure but also creates silos that increase the difficulty and cost of system integration, and delivering seamless user experiences.

The Challenges of Disconnected Systems

The primary downside of purchasing individual systems is the time needed for the buying process and the higher monetary costs associated with each separate procurement. Furthermore, integrating these disparate systems often incurs additional integration costs, which can significantly affect a building's overall budget. More alarmingly, the lack of synergy among these systems can result in a poor tenant experience. The primary reason for this is that while each of the individual systems may work well independently whenever a user journey crosses a system boundary then things start to break down. Here are some examples

1. A visitor coming for a scheduled meeting wants to know if parking is available, at what cost and where to park when they arrive.

2. An employee from another office is visiting the facility and needs access to specific areas for a few days.

3. A contractor wants to visit the site multiple times for some work.

4. Returning visitors want a one time registration

All of the above often require human communication and intervention which is inefficient and unproductive. They may also require physical things like visitor badges, RFID cards etc. all of which cost money and require some level of human management which adds to the cost.

The Future is connected & BYO

The future is increasingly moving towards a BYO (Bring Your Own) model. For example, the mobile phones of users can provide a simple and secure method of managing access control. Most phones these days have BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), NFC (Near Field Communication) or the ability to display QR codes which can easily be used with access control peripherals to grant access to the right people so they can visit the right areas for the right amount of time. Camera based Face ID is another authentication method but this may or may not be desirable based on the privacy laws and concerns. Similarly parking access can be based on vehicle numberplates or RFID tags that are put on vehicle windscreens. Visitor management systems can be integrated with parking and access control to provide seamless journeys for visitors with scheduled meetings and even walk-in visitors. In a world with growing ecommerce & digital ordering, managing deliveries using smart lockers can provide a painless and convenient solution to the problem of preventing RTO (Return to Origin) costs for the shipper or seller; and convenience for the buyer. Edge based video analytics can cover a wide range of use cases that improve security and prevent costly incidents like data breaches, hacking and other kinds of internal leaks and attacks.

Ultimately, the cost of disconnected systems is not limited to higher operating costs and a poorer tenant and occupant experience. It is the cost of reputation and trust of your brand and your those of your customers.

Advantages of an Integrated PropTech Platform

To address these challenges, adopting an integrated proptech platform presents a compelling solution. This platform consolidates multiple building systems into a single, cohesive open framework, which streamlines involvement and enhances operational efficiency. By centralising data and communications among systems, building managers can reduce costs associated with system integration and maintenance. Moreover, a unified approach eliminates the once-common disjointed processes that plagued older, siloed systems.

The introduction of an integrated proptech platform also significantly elevates the occupant experience. Tenants benefit from a seamless interaction with their environment, enabling them to manage services—such as parking, access, visitors, temperature, energy and security—through a single interface. Moreover, enhanced connectivity and communication lead to heightened responsiveness from property management, ensuring that tenant concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.

Additionally, the analytics offered by integrated systems empower managers with valuable insights. With real-time data at their fingertips, managers can identify inefficiencies and optimise operations accordingly, further reducing operating costs. This data collected through interconnected devices allows for predictive maintenance, ensuring systems function at their best, thus prolonging their lifespan and minimising unforeseen expenses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while deploying separate systems in building management may seem prudent in the short term, the long-term implications often lead to increased costs and a frustrating tenant experience. An integrated proptech platform harmonises various building systems, thus reducing acquisition and integration costs, while enhancing connectivity and occupant satisfaction. By embracing this modern approach to building management, property owners can not only ensure a more comfortable environment for tenants but also streamline operations, ultimately leading to long-term financial savings.