It's no longer a secret! Where other activity sectors, like marketing or human resources, make the most of big data, the building sector still lacks maturity on this subject.
With the incremental use of technologies such as IoT, next-generation BMS, BIM, etc., data collected in buildings continues to increase. And yet, a tiny percentage of this data is actually leveraged to improve building efficiency.
So how do you deal with this considerable volume of data? How do you profit from such a large amount of information?
Data analysis is a complex process that requires continuous monitoring and involvement of all stakeholders. We have therefore compiled a list to help you not drown in this mass of information.
1. Define your objectives and needs
The more time you waste with poor data management, the more you risk getting lost in a sea of data you cannot use. If you don't have a solid foundation, if you don't know what to collect and analyze precisely, your costs will increase considerably.
Start by defining your needs by asking yourself the following questions: "What are the problems in my building? What do I want to implement to solve them?"
Identifying and processing truly important data is essential to inform your decision-making processes. You need to know why you want to better exploit your data and what prevents you from doing so.
For example:
- Do you want to implement an environmental policy in your buildings to reduce their energy consumption and comply with regulations?
- Do you want to create a safer and healthier environment in your buildings to increase occupant productivity?
- Do you aim to acquire certifications or labels, like BREEAM, to enhance your buildings and contribute to building social responsibility?
Only from there will you have all the cards in hand to create a framework that will help you manage data optimally and set objectives.
Once your needs and objectives are defined, you will have less difficulty finding your way and sorting through your data.
2. Collect and analyze data with an open solution
Fortunately, by automating their collection and centralizing them on a single platform, innovative solutions exist today to help you easily and automatically retrieve data usually stored in silos. No more tedious tasks imposed by complex integration of heterogeneous data.
By correlating all relevant data sources across multiple buildings and unifying them using a single data model, you will be able to compare your sites to identify buildings that should serve as reference and poor performers. Distinguish between different types of data that exist in your buildings to have a global view of your assets:
- Service provider data: CMMS, BIM, Building Technical Management
- Energy data: Supplier bills, energy audits and contracts or consumption monitoring from meter readings
- External data: Weather
- Technical data: List of interfaced equipment and their characteristics
- Activity data: Wh/m², office occupancy rates, opening/closing hours
And after data collection then?
3. Implement an action plan to optimize daily operational management
When you don't master these subjects around data analysis and exploitation, being well supported throughout the building lifecycle is essential.
By implementing a tool that will provide you with clear and precise results, you will have in your hands a solution that will be your ally to democratize data management, by opening data access to all organizational levels to play the transparency and communication card with your stakeholders.
But that's not all! With a platform that facilitates data access, you will have the necessary information to make decisions, prioritize actions to meet the objectives you have set and most importantly, save money. For example:
- With displays on your equipment status, you will be able to anticipate breakdowns, maintain your equipment and have an idea of upcoming investments. Generally, access to historical data will allow you to discover what happened and why. This data will allow you to predict what will happen and create scenarios.
- In energy management, you will receive real-time alerts to inform you of anomalies and take necessary measures in time to avoid unnecessary consumption.
- Or you will realize that your electricity bill is much higher than actual needs, allowing you to subscribe to the contract best suited to your needs.
Conclusion
Surrounding yourself with experts and technological partners who can guide you is key to making the most of data. Don't forget, data opens the way to creating services in your buildings.
Sensinov offers you to apply your own strategy to your buildings. Our solutions meet the challenges of openness, interoperability and are 100% in line with new standards (R2S Label, BACS decree, tertiary decree). The Sensinov BOS supports building professionals in their daily activities on several subjects including Hypervision and building supervision, equipment control and energy consumption optimization.
