One must learn to adapt and keep up with technology trends in business in order to stay relevant or risk being left behind. Look at how online shopping changed the competitive landscape of big box retailers, or how social media has changed human behavior, including how people communicate, receive and share information, etc. Facility and energy management is no different.
In the past, building controls operated on pneumatic systems, which kick on when pressure controls move pressurized signals from a controller to a device through copper or plastic tubes. Systems had to remain separate and unable to communicate with each other.
As the world adopted more digital technologies, so too did the building automation industry. Now, control systems integrate a microprocessor controller that constantly updates internal information for continuous monitoring, data collection, and corrective output commands in response to changing control conditions. The integration of digital controls meant more systems could be integrated into the network, including HVAC, ventilation, lighting, security, access, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, emergency backup systems, fire and life safety, mass communications systems, and much more. A fully integrated facility connects infrastructure inside and outside the building, delivering data via a single pane of glass for easily digestible information and data-driven insights.
Another trend on the uptick is remote monitoring of these fully integrated buildings. A command center pulls data from your buildings into a secure platform that analyzes and processes the information from one building or multiple buildings across a large-scale real estate portfolio. The command center is the vehicle used to alert facility operators and owners to issues inside and outside the building, including which building it is, the location, what equipment – down to the part – that’s faulting. Further, 24/7 monitoring facilitates instantaneous fault detection alerts so action can be taken before a bigger, more costly problem arises. In addition, the command center team can deploy service technicians to the facility armed with the right tools and data to fix the issue with little to no disruptions to operations.
Why is this important? Why now?
According to Dodge Construction Network, skilled labor shortages will continue to be an issue throughout the next several years. There are currently 300,000 unfilled positions in the industry, according to the December 2021 report. Technology will be critical to keeping facilities operational and running efficiently.
A command center takes technology to the next level by integrating all systems across multiple facilities. Then, through a single pane of glass, provides real-time analytics and actionable insights to improve efficiencies and achieve corporate goals.
This may include:
- Improving energy utilization rates
- Tracking and validating key performance metrics
- Reporting and compliance requirements
- Validating data to the C-Suite
- Predictive analytics for future state planning
Stark Tech serves customers across North America providing integrated solutions, including master systems integration and access to its Command Center. The platform integrates facilities at scale, regardless of the inherited control systems or interfaces, providing data through a single pane of the glass for customized service and equipment solutions. In addition, clients gain access to building systems specialists, analytics experts, engineering, and IT networking professionals. The team delivers industry-leading building intelligence and energy performance monitoring and insights, in addition to best-in-class service.
Stark Tech is a single-source agent, providing turnkey solutions with products and services, including master systems integration, building intelligence & analytics, and mechanical & electrical equipment. Stark Tech serves customers across North America by delivering integrated solutions that help customers achieve their environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. Visit starktech.com for more information and follow us on LinkedIn.
