IoT solutions offer facilities management companies new ways to manage disparate systems of sensors, control panels, and other devices. In fact, even legacy devices can be managed, helping facilities connect decades-old equipment to a unified monitoring system. While such a big change can seem difficult or expensive, it doesn’t have to be this way. The advantages that can come from using IoT in facilities management are well worth the initial hurdle of getting started.
In this article, we will explore four benefits of connecting your hardware to the intelligent edge:
- Save more energy
- Increase operational efficiency
- Study facility data trends
- Bolster overall security
1. Save money by reducing energy waste
For some, going green can be a great incentive on its own, but when it comes to IoT-powered energy waste reduction, you can save money, too. With the ability to provide real-time insights into facility operations, IoT solutions can provide a clear look into areas where energy is not being used effectively. While testing is available without IoT, an IoT solution can provide a constant stream of data, which makes it easier to pinpoint irregular spikes of activity, shifts due to weather, and other shifts that might not occur during an isolated test.
Catching inefficient energy use early can not only reduce day-to-day waste, but help you detect device problems before they break down. For example, an increase in energy can be a sign that a machine is running inefficiently, which can lead to costly repairs if left unchecked.
At Bsquare, we know investing in an IoT solution can seem expensive, which is why we work with customers to help them find the IoT solution that can provide the best return on investment. Reducing energy waste can help you save money—and the planet—at the same time.
2. Increase facility efficiency with real-time data
From collecting valuable insights to connecting your heterogenous devices to a single system, IoT solutions can help you better manage your buildings and facilities. For example, with data being recorded in real-time, management can catch problems in your buildings and warehouses before they turn into expensive repairs. Furthermore, the extensive data can help facility managers catch and adjust inefficient points of operation.
There’s also efficiency that comes from connecting legacy devices to the cloud and each other—one overarching system can be easier to manage than many smaller ones. Software updates that might have taken hours, or even days, to enact on an individual basis can be reduced to the push of a button and transmitted to every device simultaneously.
While setting up IoT on an industrial scale can be intimidating, Bsquare has over 25 years of experience working with customers looking for industrial IoT solutions. We have helped more than 600 customers connect over 2.4 million devices with the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise operating system, which provides customers with a secure, large-scale OS and the option for short or long-term support.
3. Prepare for trends with predictive modeling
Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) make handling the additional influx of data that an IoT solution can bring more accessible. Programs can be harnessed for predictive modeling, which analyzes your current data to spot patterns and predict future trends.
Not only can predictive modeling save your engineering department the time it would take to do this analysis, it can help you go further with energy-saving and efficiency-boosting measures. Projected trends can give you insights into actions you can take to make sure your devices are maintained, adjustments to make in the wake of changing systems, and ways to prepare for future growth.
For more insights into building an IoT solution that better fits your needs, contact us to help build and implement custom IoT solutions.
4. Secure your buildings and your data
Using IoT in facilities management can help you increase your physical and digital security. From a physical standpoint, an IoT solution can alert you in real time to potential threats, like a refrigeration fan failing. This level of connection also ensures your facility is constantly monitored, providing security even when you’re not on site.
The data created by your IoT devices gives insights into your buildings or manufacturing systems that you likely don’t want your competitors to know. That’s why it’s also worth investing in an IoT solution designed with security features you can use to protect sensitive information.
For example, Azure Sphere is an IoT solution where every aspect—from the physical microcontroller to the operating system—was designed with security in mind. Created with the seven properties for highly secure devices, Azure Sphere provides customers with a high-quality, security-based IoT solution. Bsquare has been working with Microsoft since the early days of Azure Sphere, allowing us to provide you with additional insights into the system.
Watch a webinar
IoT can help you revolutionize the management of your facilities—the four benefits listed above are just the beginning of what is possible. If you’re interested in exploring a real case study, we teamed up with Arcus FM, a premiere facilities management company in the UK, to explore how they’re implementing IoT solutions with legacy devices. Watch the webinar, Optimizing Facilities Management With Intelligent Devices, or get in touch with one of our Bsquare experts to learn how you can get started today.