Making Smart Buildings a Reality for Property Owners and Facility Managers
Ken LynchKen Lynch
Building owners and facility managers are turning to technology to improve efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort while simultaneously working toward reducing operation and maintenance costs. Using a range of wireless sensors, those responsible for building operations can automate the collection of data to monitor energy usage, infrastructure issues, room usage, supply levels,r and more, turning their building into a data-powered resource - a smart building that can provide insights into everything within.
"Building owners and facility managers are turning to technology to improve efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort while simultaneously working toward reducing operation and maintenance costs."
Outfitting a structure with networked wireless sensors that collect and report data about the environment, such as water and gas leaks, lighting, HVAC operation, and security, and sharing that information in real time allows building managers to automate and optimize operations. But not all networks are created equal. For companies looking to reap the benefits of sensor-enabled building management, LoRaWAN networks with flexible deployment options and robust management features provide a cost-effective, efficient, and secure solution for device connectivity.
LoRaWAN is a low-power, wide-area network (LPWAN) communication protocol well-suited for use in everything from office buildings, multi-dwelling units, hotels, and restaurants to larger structures like airports, convention centers, or even university and business campuses. It offers several advantages, including:
LoRaWAN also has strong propagation characteristics that can maintain connectivity into and across hard-to-reach localized areas while transferring data through building materials and dense enclosures like steel walls or thick concrete.
With a LoRaWAN network in place, building and facility managers can automate existing manual processes and improve infrastructure and system operation across key areas. Here are several ways LoRaWAN can be used in buildings and across campuses.
These use cases are only a sampling of the ways that LoRaWAN networks and devices can be used, and new devices and use cases are constantly expanding what is possible.
In an era of rapidly advancing technology and evolving occupant expectations, building owners face the challenge of meeting high demands while making timely investments. Network connectivity plays a crucial role in the puzzle of smart buildings, and although it has traditionally been a hurdle, exploring innovative solutions such as LoRaWAN can revolutionize the way building owners serve their occupants and stakeholders.
By integrating intelligent building systems with LoRaWAN networks, building owners and managers can unlock a wealth of actionable data, enhancing operational visibility, gaining valuable insights, and improving occupant experiences. Additionally, a cost-effective sensor network offers building owners and insurance providers a proven solution to proactively mitigate risks and decrease maintenance and repair costs, leading to an improved market value of the property.
By embracing the power of LoRaWAN, building owners can open doors to a smarter, more efficient, and future-ready built environment.
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