Building Analytics Platforms: Turning Data Into Action
What a Building Analytics Platform Actually Does
Building automation analytics platforms compile data from IAQ sensors, smart building management systems, HVAC, lighting, and other sensors. These systems turn information into insight through:
Data Aggregation: Collecting data from multiple sources, such as HVAC, lighting, utility meters, indoor air quality (IAQ) monitors, and environmental sensors and summarizing it in one format.
Real-time Monitoring and Alerts: Visualizing data through dashboards and reports that show energy consumption, air quality, and other important metrics. A building analytics system may also alert you when it detects potential problems in your building.
Operational Intelligence: Identifying system inefficiencies and other areas to improve building operations.
A basic monitoring system will collect and transmit data, but it doesn’t give you any context. Imagine looking at a report stating a 30% increase in reported property crimes in your area. Say the report failed to note a new AI-platform that makes it easier for residents to report property crimes anonymously. Without this context, it looks like your neighborhood is more dangerous, when in reality, more people are reporting what was already happening.
Why Most Building Data Doesn't Lead to Action
Building analytics software alone isn’t enough to transform your operations. Many business owners install sensors and monitoring tools without taking action. Not acting on your data doesn’t mean you’re a terrible building manager.
Common reasons people fail to turn insights into action include siloed data, too many alerts, missing context, and a lack of baseline data. For example, if you set up your system to alert you to any anomaly, you end up getting bombarded by alerts. One day, you receive an alert saying the HVAC system detected high humidity in a sensitive zone, such as a chemical storage area.
When this alert is buried in hundreds of others, you might miss it. Your chemical room gets flooded with humidity, and a bin of a high-sodium chemical explodes.
Key Capabilities That Make Analytics Platforms Useful
Automated building analytics keep these important alerts from slipping into a pile of data. Look for a platform that guides decision-making and real-time energy management solutions rather than arming you with more dashboards you’ll ignore.
Look for a system with these features for useful insights:
Cross-System Data Integration: Stop looking at fragmented data by choosing a system that integrates your HVAC, IAQ, energy, and occupancy information into one view. This gives you a clear view of your whole system. For example, a spike in particulate matter when your HVAC system is running normally could mean you need to change your filters.
Automated Fault Detection: Let the machine surface issues while they’re still minor instead of waiting for your team to discover them. These systems compare information to your baseline data and alert you immediately when something is abnormal.
Trend Analysis: Be proactive with maintenance by choosing a system that monitors equipment data trends. When you see shifts in performance, check your equipment for issues or schedule preventive maintenance.
Configurable Reporting: Find a building data platform that lets you customize dashboards and alerts for your needs. For example, in a school, you will pay close attention to HVAC and airflow data to keep students alert and ready to learn. Smart building technology and HVAC performance are closely connected. In a multi-unit apartment building, you might prioritize leak detection and access and control data.
Where Building Analytics Fits in a Broader Operations Strategy
Smart building analytics are the bridge between your data and how you can use it to improve operations. By analyzing data from multiple sources, you get a full picture of operations. You can see where energy is leaking from your building and adopt cost-saving measures, such as installing smart HVAC systems that adjust the air conditioning based on occupancy.
A good building data platform detects machine and system anomalies early, so you can detect and fix potential issues before they balloon into problems.
Instead of sitting on a pile of graphs, charts, and alerts, you get tools that help you save money and cut your carbon footprint while keeping building occupants comfortable. You can also easily pull data for ESG reporting and other compliance audits without separate energy monitoring for commercial buildings. A custom-built path featuring cloud data and BI visualization tools lets you pick and choose your reports and preferred features. But these systems are costly and take a lot of effort to set up.
A purpose-built solution featuring IOT hardware for real-time building intelligence collects all the data you need without a lengthy customization and deployment process.
Getting More From the Data Your Building Already Generates
In the modern age, you’re less likely working with a lack of sensors and more likely working with inefficient analysis tools. You probably don’t need to collect more data. You just need help integrating what you have and putting it into useful context.
Attune’s IOT platform lets you customize analytics, dashboards, and alerts. We can work with you to create a system that gives you the right signals at the right time. Schedule a demo today to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a building analytics platform?
A building analytics platform is a software system that connects to your building’s sensors and compiles and analyzes data. It provides actionable insights your building managers can use to make your building more efficient.
How is a building analytics platform different from a building management system (BMS)?
Building management systems control and operate various building systems, such as HVAC and lighting. Building automation analytics interprets data from the BMS to predict failures, analyze system performance, and suggest tools for optimization.
What types of buildings benefit most from analytics platforms?
Any building manager gets valuable insights from a building analytics platform. High-energy buildings, such as data centers, benefit from these systems, along with complex environments with a lot of traffic or high occupancy. This includes hospitals, schools, and commercial office buildings.
What data sources does a building analytics platform typically integrate?
A building analytics platform integrates information from indoor air quality (IAQ) sensors, HVAC systems, lighting and energy systems, access and security systems, and utility meters. You can also connect them to your building management systems for additional data.
