Category: Building Controls

How AI Can Transform Facilities from Major Energy Drains to Sustainable Buildings

Commercial buildings and infrastructure are responsible for a staggering 40% of global carbon emissions, a figure that puts facilities managers on the front lines of the climate challenge. While the buzz around artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, has captured headlines, the real transformative power for commercial facilities lies in another category of AI: predictive and […]

Why Smart Building Data Isn’t Smart, and How AI Can Help

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. Industrial organizations and building operators are rapidly adopting smart building technologies. From HVAC systems and lighting controls to advanced energy management solutions, facilities are evolving into connected ecosystems to boost efficiency, productivity, and operational […]

Facilities Managers in the Era of AI: Welcoming Innovation for a Smarter, Greener Future

For decades, facilities managers (FMs) have been the unsung heroes of commercial and retail buildings, ensuring comfort, safety, and operational continuity behind the scenes. However, as the built environment faces the mounting pressures of rising energy costs, ambitious sustainability goals, and the challenge of “doing more with less,” the FM role is undergoing a deep […]

No Retrofit Needed: Modernizing Buildings with AI

Industry-wide demand is mounting to rethink how we create energy-efficient, comfortable, and smart buildings. More facilities managers are turning to technology to help create smart building systems that use real-time data to adjust temperature and lighting, monitor air quality, and other maintenance controls. The market for Internet of Things (IoT) platforms is expected to hit […]

Exploring Tech Solutions to Enhance Smart Building Security

The threat landscape for Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart buildings is rapidly evolving, with cyberattacks showing a significant upward trend. Reports indicate cyberattacks targeting IoT devices more than doubled in 2024, surging by 124%. This surge underscores the growing focus of cybercriminals on exploiting vulnerabilities within interconnected building systems. Such attacks can compromise everything from […]

Preparing for Gen Z in Facilities Management

Many facilities management (FM) teams are aging, creating an urgent need to attract and retain Gen Z talent to sustain operations and drive future innovation. This generation brings fresh perspectives on digital tools and flexible workflows. Companies must adopt practical strategies beyond traditional hiring and retention methods to stay competitive. Bridging generational skill gaps and […]

ASHRAE Guideline 36 and Advanced Tech Propel Industrial HVAC Decarbonization

American industries are facing growing pressure to modernize production methods and improve energy efficiency without compromising the bottom line. Now more than ever, it is important to drive research, development, and pilot-scale demonstrations within industrial projects, with plans to bolster confidence in the buildings space for further adoption of net-zero practices. When combined with standards […]

Can Replacing Battery-Powered IoT with RF Technology Help Boost ESG Goals?

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. As the U.S. smart building market reached $24.66 billion in 2024, the demand for Internet of Things (IoT)-driven automation continues to rise. From environmental sensors to access control systems, smart buildings rely heavily on […]

How Energy Management Helps Restaurants Serve Up Success

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. As the vice president of operations for over 30 Wendy’s locations, my No. 1 goal is to take care of our customers. For many of them, this means delivering a flawless Baconator or a […]

Smart Building Tech: A Strategic Line of Defense Against Rising Insurance Costs

Just as commercial real estate (CRE) began to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, the industry is now entering a new era of financial pressures. Driven by an uncertain economy, aging infrastructure, extreme weather events, and a more conservative insurance underwriting landscape, property insurance premiums are climbing at an alarming rate. In Q1 2024, commercial […]