Part 3 of a series

Abstract

Operational Technology (OT) data—such as energy metering, HVAC, access control, and more—is incredibly valuable for property and fund managers, providing real-time insights and historical trends to optimise building operations. In this edition of the series, we unpack how data is leveraged and highlight some key benefits of automated decision-making using OT data.

Talk to Frame to learn how we can assist your organisation in increasing the efficiency of your IT/OT environment to help manage operational costs.

The Role of IT/OT Data in Assisting Building Managers

Energy Efficiency & Cost Savings
    • Monitoring usage: Building Management Systems (BMS) systematically track energy consumption across HVAC, lighting, and other operational systems.
    • Identifying inefficiencies: Building managers can identify excessive energy use and make informed adjustments to settings or operational schedules.
    • Automated controls: Systems can be programmed to optimise energy usage by reducing consumption during off-peak hours or by integrating with other systems such as occupancy monitoring.
Predictive Maintenance
    • Early fault detection: BMS can notify building managers of potential device or system failures when specific thresholds—such as high temperatures or humidity—are reached.
    • Maintenance scheduling: Data can be used to schedule maintenance based on actual usage rather than fixed intervals, reducing both downtime and costs.
Occupant Comfort & Productivity
    • Environmental control: The BMS maintains optimal temperature, humidity, and lighting levels, and should be integrated with systems like occupancy monitoring and AV systems to make real-time adjustments.
    • Feedback integration: Managers can adjust environmental settings in response to occupant feedback and observed usage patterns.
Operational Efficiency
    • Centralised control: Facility managers can monitor and manage multiple systems from a single interface.
    • Remote access: Many BMS platforms allow remote monitoring and adjustments, saving time and resources.
Compliance & Reporting
    • Data logging: BMS records support compliance with energy regulations and sustainability targets.
    • Reporting: Generate reports, track KPIs, and align operations with broader business goals like budgeting and compliance.
    • Audit readiness: Historical data supports audits and certifications such as NABERS or Green Star in Australia.
Security & Safety
    • Integration with security systems: BMS can manage access control, fire alarms, and emergency systems.
    • Real-time alerts: Immediate notifications enable quick responses to safety issues.

Case Studies

Case Study 1: Mid-sized Property Management Firm – Predictive Analytics

Background: A mid-sized property management firm used OT data analytics to identify high-growth areas. By analysing building performance, occupancy trends, and local infrastructure development, they repositioned their investment portfolio toward emerging neighbourhoods—achieving a 15% ROI increase over three years.

Case Study 2: Global Property Management Firm – Smart Building

Background: A multinational property management firm implemented OT analytics across its portfolio to monitor energy use, HVAC efficiency, and occupancy patterns. Outcomes included:

    • 20% reduction in energy costs
    • Improved tenant comfort
    • Enhanced space utilisation planning

These insights also supported data-backed leasing strategies, increasing tenant retention.

Case Study 3: Real Estate Firm – OT Data Cost Savings

Background: A large U.S.-based real estate firm used OT data to streamline maintenance scheduling and fault detection. Through IoT sensors and analytics platforms, they achieved:

    • Reduced downtime of critical systems
    • Lower maintenance costs
    • Enhanced building longevity

Challenges and Considerations

Data Storage

BMS and network management tools can generate massive volumes of data, particularly when integrated across large precincts or multiple properties. It’s critical to have an effective data management solution and accompanying processes in place.
As BMS and IT platforms increasingly move to the cloud, bandwidth and internet access requirements become key considerations.

Data Analysis

Collecting and storing data is only the first step—analytics solutions are essential to generate insights. As cloud hosting becomes more common, analytics features are increasingly embedded in BMS platforms.
Knowing which metrics to analyse helps maximise the relevance and impact of insights.

Future Outlook

Emerging Technologies

As IT and BMS integration advances, there will be a growing shift toward cloud-based solutions. This will accelerate deployments, with many platforms offering preconfigured monitoring and reporting components—allowing building managers to customise settings rather than build configurations from scratch.

Industry Trends

IoT devices and sensors will continue to improve in both intelligence and security, allowing greater data capture and a more robust, secure environment.

Conclusion: Making Strategic Use of Data

Data is critical for making strategic—not reactive—decisions. It supports predictive maintenance, enhances energy efficiency, and improves occupant comfort. It also enables in-depth reporting, KPI tracking, and progress toward sustainability goals.

Engaging with IT and OT systems providers can unlock integration opportunities that lower operational costs and improve tenant attraction and retention.

Talk to Frame to learn how we can assist your organisation to increase the effectiveness of your IT/OT environment in an effort to manage operational costs.