Part 4 of a series

Abstract

High Value Tenants

Increasingly, tenants are looking for more than just office space, they want smart offices that offer flexibility, support their sustainability goals and that provide a high-quality environment in which to work.

These new services are enabled via the use of new integrated technology solutions that monitor and manage the entire building, and the servers, systems and devices that provide the buildings network, to ensure optimal energy usage, effective climate control and effective security.

Smart Building Features That Matter

High-value tenants expect cutting-edge technology that enhances productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Key features to consider include:

    • Touchless access control and automated door locks
    • Smart lighting and climate control systems
    • Occupancy sensors and conference room scheduling
    • High-speed internet and an internal integrated communications network (ICN)
    • Effective building management systems to ensure energy efficiency
    • Secure access to building systems pertinent to their tenancies
Sustainability

Premium tenants are increasingly aligning with buildings that support their sustainability goals:

    • Green building certifications such NABERS and LEED
    • Energy-efficient systems that use renewable energy sources
    • Indoor air quality monitoring and circadian lighting
Security

An effective integrated communications network and building management system enables the deployment of advanced security features, such as:

    • Smart physical security providing privileged-based access through digital means
    • Multi-purpose surveillance, e.g., people counting, facial recognition, etc.
    • Constant monitoring that will issue real-time alerts for unusual activities
Enable Flexibility and Hybrid Work

Smart offices should support evolving work styles:

    • Modular layouts with hot-desking and collaboration zones
    • Efficient and easy to use systems for reserving desks or rooms
    • Coworking-style amenities for smaller or hybrid teams

Case Studies

Case Study 1: Integrated Security Systems

Background: A large commercial office building in Sydney implemented an integrated security system combining IT and OT.

Implementation: The system included smart cameras, access control, and real-time monitoring, all managed through a unified platform. Outcome: This integration led to a 30% reduction in security-related incidents and a 20% decrease in security personnel costs due to more efficient monitoring and response

Case Study 2: Tenant Experience Enhancement in a Smart Building

Background: A smart building in Perth focused on enhancing tenant experience through IT/OT convergence.

Implementation: The building used integrated systems for climate control, lighting, and personalized access, all managed via a tenant app resulting in a tenant satisfaction increase by 40%.

Case Study 3: Smart Energy Management, Air Quality, etc.

Background: Recognized as one of the world’s most innovative and sustainable smart buildings, a cutting-edge Amsterdam property features 28,000 IoT sensors for occupancy, air quality, temperature, and energy management.

Implementation: High-value tenants enjoy a highly personalized work environment through a dedicated workplace app, enabling individual control of workspace conditions, wayfinding, and resource booking. The property’s reputation for sustainability, operational efficiency, and advanced tenant experience has made it a magnet for blue-chip corporate tenants

Benefits of Spaces that Attract High Value Tenants

    • Energy Efficiency: Buildings with optimised energy usage that is monitored and managed by integrated systems attracts clients who are looking for offices that make use of innovative technology solutions to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
    • Security: Technology enables monitored access control and extends to devices throughout a building, including lift controls, security cameras, and communal internet access points, ensuring comprehensive infrastructure monitoring.
    • Enhanced Working Environments: An office space that provides flexible working areas, reliable and secure network access together with natural light and a well-controlled internal environment will attract and keep high value tenants.
    • Examples: such as interactive screens may be deployed, and managed centrally, providing information, wayfinding, and other services to occupants.

Other enhancements are fully integrated tenant and base property access control systems and secure, read-only access to base property systems by tenants for staff analytics (e.g., occupancy, space utilization, etc.)

Challenges and Considerations

    • Considerations:
      • Day1+ Operations: a key focal point is to identify the proper technology and managed services provider (if outsourcing is an option) to ensure that the maintenance, lifecycle, security, incident response, etc. components are well planned and contracted. For example, we all undertake maintenance on our cars at regular intervals, why would anyone not do the same for the central nervous system of a property responsible for revenue generation and tenant satisfaction?
      • Supply chain expertise: Ensure to interview and gather references from systems integrators and OT systems providers and get them involved early. A terrific way to do this is to forego the tender process, where possible, and instead require that 2-3 providers implement a proof of value (PoV) of the solution to evaluate in real time and prior to outlaying funds.
    • Challenges:
      • Historical implementations: the past IT/OT deployments saw siloed environments. Collaboration, between all involved parties,
      • Budgetary impact: these changes take time and money to undertake properly. Recommendations are to understand the priority projects and lump enhancements with these over phases, e.g., implement a portion of a new ICN in line with and access control replacement initiative.

Future Outlook

    • Facilitate IoT Usage: An increasing use of the ICN/BMS is to enable the deployment of IoT devices, such as environmental sensors or lighting controls to further improve energy efficiency in addition to integrating the monitoring of these devices with the centralised ICN systems.
    • Operational Efficiency: Automated systems can reduce maintenance costs by predicting equipment failures and scheduling timely maintenance, extending the lifespan of building systems.
    • Real-Time Monitoring: Buildings with an integrated ICN can continuously collect data on various parameters (energy use, occupancy, air quality), which can be analysed to optimise building performance.
    • Predictive Maintenance: Data analytics can predict when systems might fail, allowing for preventive maintenance, reducing downtime, and avoiding costly repairs.
      • Energy efficient environments that are continuously monitored to optimise usage

Conclusion: Spaces that Attract High Value Tenants

More tenants now seek flexible, smart offices that support sustainability and provide a high-quality work environment. Integrated technology solutions monitor and manage buildings, servers, and devices to optimise energy use, climate control, and security. They offer:

    • Integrated IT and building management systems
    • Enhanced working environments with flexible working solutions and optimised climate control

Talk to Frame to learn how we can assist your organisation attract high value clients using integrated technology solutions.