Streamlining workflow operations can save money, improve productivity, enhance customer experiences and build business resilience. The best way to achieve these goals is through hyper-automation technologies and redesigned business processes.
Reduced Maintenance Costs
Building automation systems offer many benefits, including reduced maintenance costs. They can help to minimize energy consumption, improve occupant comfort, and extend the life of equipment. In addition, they can improve the overall working environment and promote sustainable practices. A building automation system (BAS) provides a centralized platform for monitoring multiple subsystems, such as lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, and security systems. This streamlines operation and eliminates human error. The best BAS systems provide real-time monitoring, reporting, alerts, software collaboration and customization options.
For example, a BAS can be programmed to set an end time for the HVAC system when it is not needed, such as at night or after typical business hours. This can save energy costs by lowering the temperature when no one is present. The same is true for lights, with the system able to turn off the lights in rooms that are not being used. This also helps to reduce energy costs by reducing unnecessary use of utilities. Streamlining operations can reduce maintenance costs, increase productivity, and improve the working experience.
Increased Safety
Building automation systems can help monitor and control a building’s electrical, heating/cooling, lighting, fire safety, and security systems. They can also include air quality sensors that monitor indoor contaminants, allowing the system to adjust and keep the building’s occupants healthy and comfortable. These systems can optimize energy use, reduce waste, and improve the building’s efficiency. This can reduce a company’s carbon footprint, which may lead to earning certain environmental certifications. Additionally, it can increase a company’s image as a green and sustainable organization that values the environment.
Building automation and control systems allow facility managers to monitor and adjust the settings of their building’s primary systems from a central hub. They can also track data from the different systems in the building and provide valuable insights that can help streamline operations. These systems typically consist of networked electronic devices communicating using a common language. These devices include input devices (which detect information such as room temperature and whether the equipment is on), output devices (which carry out programmed responses, such as increasing ventilation when CO2 levels are high), and a user interface device that displays data visually.
Improved Efficiency
For building owners, property managers, and occupants alike, the ability to monitor systems from one central location significantly impacts operational costs. Additionally, using a BAS allows facilities to cut greenhouse gas emissions by enhancing energy efficiency. For example, if occupancy sensors detect that everyone has left for the day, the BAS could automatically turn down the lighting and put the mechanical system into nighttime setback mode. This saves energy by reducing heating and cooling loads. Another way building automation systems improve efficiency is by optimizing a facility’s energy consumption and comfort levels. This reduces utility bills and improves occupants’ safety and comfort while extending the life of the equipment. For critical spaces like hospitals or data centers, automated systems help to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity while ensuring contaminant-free ventilation.
Additionally, a computerized system can send notifications when maintenance is needed, allowing the facility team to take action before problems occur. This prevents costly problem-determination visits and unplanned outages. It also provides a more accurate picture of a facility’s performance. The streamlined maintenance process means more time to focus on improving the overall operation of the building.
Increased Productivity
A building automation system can monitor and control heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and security alarms in a commercial property. They can also communicate with other building systems to help prevent and address issues. This allows for more accurate scheduling of maintenance work and reduces the frequency of unexpected system failures that reduce productivity and result in lost profits. Additionally, it can send information to repair professionals to be more prepared when they arrive on-site, reducing their time on troubleshooting and resolving problems. A well-functioning building management system can improve occupant comfort and increase workplace productivity. Maintaining a comfortable indoor environment with consistent temperature, humidity, and contaminant-free ventilation can help reduce worker complaints and illness due to discomfort and poor air quality. This will lead to improved occupant satisfaction, increased productivity and ultimately, greater value for the property as a whole. Moreover, a working building automation system can make it easier to identify energy consumption patterns, which in turn can help lower utility costs.
Reduced Waste
Energy waste is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Building automation systems reduce environmental waste by monitoring and regulating heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation. Time and zone controls, occupancy sensors, and scheduling ensure that environmental systems don’t consume energy when they aren’t needed. In addition, the system collects and analyzes data to identify waste areas and improve efficiency over time. This helps businesses achieve significant cost savings in energy bills and overall costs. Investing in a new technology solution to automate your building is a great way to save money. It not only helps streamline operations and saves you time, but it also keeps your business energy, cuts maintenance costs, and increases productivity for occupants. The added benefit is a green image that will help your company attract like-minded clients and partners.
