Digital technology is changing the way we design, construct and create a new breed of communities who are connected in more ways than one. To explore the trend towards connectedness, Cisco’s managing director Kumaran Singaram shares his views in a four-part Connected Life series.

Technology has seeped into every aspect of our lives. As Malaysia heads towards a knowledge-based society, people are demanding technology convenience to be built into their premises, which includes seamless connectivity, real-time collaboration and world-class infrastructure built into workplaces, homes and cities they live in.

But yesteryears’ blueprints for building environments are obsolete and have not evolved to support today’s changing lifestyles. Market trends – workforce globalisation, environmental and social responsibilities and a growing, worldwide population – are driving the need for building transformation.

The challenge for real estate developers lies in staying ahead of these changing trends. Property development must catch up to support new office requirements, lifestyles and user demands.



Thinking beyond traditions

Real estate professionals should think beyond traditional services and transform existing and new properties into buildings of the future. How do real estate ventures meet today’s needs and lay a foundation for tomorrow while maintaining profitability?

A key characteristic in innovative and premium real estate around the world is connectivity – the ability to facilitate intercommunication and interaction in buildings and digital infrastructures.

Connectivity streamlines and enhances operations, and reduces the cost of building lifecycle while fostering environmental sustainability.

Imagine a unified networked building approach that allows operators and real estate owners the ability to manage systems and processes from a centralised and/or remote network infrastructure. It simplifies operations, and improves energy efficiency by facilitating the design, monitoring and control of multiple building management systems.

Buildings today use multiple networks for automation systems and associated devices. These systems can cover heating, ventilation and air-conditioning; security and access; fire and safety; and separate telecommunications and data networks. By integrating and centralising these resources, owners and operators can manage costs and control building operating expenses.

In addition, a unified network infrastructure integrates the systems’ management to enable a 24-hour on-site or off-site control over a single IP (Internet protocol) network. The greater the level of integration among voice, video, data and mobility services, the greater the efficiencies that can be derived by building or estate owners.



New revenue opportunities

Connected real estate allows operators the potential to create new revenues by offering tenants services such as high-speed Internet access, Web-based surveillance and household automation systems.

More importantly, the convergence of IT and building systems helps to create safer buildings, allowing fire, police or ambulance crew to tap into in-building video surveillance systems to assess an emergency situation.

It is the convergence of the systems over the network that enables the owner and users of the property to enhance their IT and real estate value in support of transforming building systems and processes. The use of unified communications and productivity tools provides the building’s workforce with optimal mobility, enabling work to be performed at the right time and place.

For owners, tying in building systems, security systems and communication systems over an IP network enables the building to be managed efficiently with less manpower.