As security technology continues to move forward at lightning speed, its importance in the development of intelligent buildings has gained significant traction.
Howard Lang, President of Gunnebo Entrance Control Solutions
Howard Lang, President of Gunnebo Entrance Control Solutions, looks at the way industries are transforming their existing structures and creating new smarter, high-performance buildings using real-time insights via security technology.
A smart building has been defined as one that, “collects data from multiple systems and devices and shares that information so that action can be taken to improve business process, operational efficiency, sustainability, health and occupant safety, and user experience.”
It can be seen as a fundamental change to how we understand and improve safety, security and everyday operations using technology and analytics to deliver actionable real-time discovery and solve real-world problems.
The speed of delivery is fast-paced and we have a great opportunity in the physical security sector to embrace intelligent buildings to offer increased opportunities to make our customers safer with the increased visibility that will result.
Here, we should consider that the concepts of safety and security today are so much more than keeping crime at bay. People have an emotional need to reduce anxiety, stay healthy, and have a good quality of life for themselves and their families. And it’s not just at that single point in time. They want to ensure they are well notified of the threat index of the world they live in as a whole.
On a general basis, smart buildings by their nature make smarter financial sense. The technology that powers smart buildings leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) to improve and optimise the use of resources.
Building maintenance costs can be minimised via proactive, predictive maintenance approaches. Sensor data and software-based algorithms help monitor the performance of building systems and help identify impending failures at the lowest cost of repair – before they escalate into major expenses or events.
In the workplace, smart buildings make smarter use of office space, of rising importance with the increase in flexible and remote working. From the entrance control solution that can be programmed with an energy-saving mode when not in use, to systems that can use real-time data to control the lights, reset the temperature and adjust the blinds, based on when an office space is set to be occupied.
When occupants leave the facility, the system returns the settings to a secure, unoccupied mode, generating cost savings in maintenance and reduced energy usage and enhancing physical security settings.
Alongside the significant financial savings, intelligent buildings have the potential to accelerate sustainability and reduce carbon usage.
Entrance control and security technology play a crucial role in enhancing sustainability in intelligent buildings.
By integrating advanced systems, these technologies can optimise energy efficiency and promote eco-friendly practices.
Smart entrance control systems, for instance, allow for precise monitoring and management of building entrances, ensuring that only authorised individuals gain entry.
Yet they also provide a more straightforward and precise method of collecting real-time data on building occupancy levels compared to relying on multiple room sensors.
Additionally, intelligent security systems with motion sensors and video analytics contribute to sustainable operations by reducing false alarms and improving overall security efficiency.
By leveraging these technologies, intelligent buildings can achieve greater sustainability, reducing their carbon footprint and enhancing resource conservation for a greener future.
Working in tandem with these smart building savings is a newfound ability to enhance security. That’s because security technology and AI/ML enable 24/7/365 real-time monitoring and analysis.
Physical security all starts with entrance control, advanced security features, seamless integration with building management systems, and data-driven insights.
Entrance control solutions can generate visitor badges, store relevant information, and provide real-time notifications to building administrators. At a more advanced security level, they can detect and monitor individual persons with high precision and accuracy, protect against tailgating, climb over and push through.
By improving the overall management of visitors, entrance control solutions like sliding gates or security revolving doors contribute to the people count, identity verification level, security and seamless operation of intelligent buildings.
It empowers building owners and operators to create a safer, more efficient, and highly secure environment. And, intelligent buildings can effectively manage access, optimise energy consumption, and make informed decisions based on actionable data.
Using intelligent information, smart building systems can pinpoint locations and assess event severity before a person attempts to target or enter a potentially compromised area.
To achieve true intelligence, buildings require integration and interoperability among various systems. Smart communities can enhance the everyday experience of residents, teams, businesses, and visitors within them across arguably every industry sector.
The importance of the roadmap of the intelligent building then comes into force, enabling smart sensors, devices and analytics platforms to perform effectively and become the building block of the smart building.
These data-driven insights enable proactive decision-making. Building managers can optimise space utilisation by identifying peak usage times and adjusting resources accordingly. Additionally, the analysis of people flow data can help in predicting and managing potential bottlenecks, enhancing traffic management within the building.
For this to occur it must be without compromise to the integrated building management system that has been designed to keep a smart building and its people and assets, safe and secure.
In summary, intelligent buildings are revolutionising the way we design, manage, and experience built environments. By seamlessly integrating advanced entrance control solutions, these can play a key role in achieving heightened security, streamlined operations, and data-driven decision-making.
Gunnebo is working with building owners and operators across the globe to create safer, more efficient, and highly secure environments through their advanced security features, seamless integration with building management systems, and the provision of valuable data insights.
This way intelligent buildings can effectively manage access, optimise energy consumption, and pave the way for a sustainable future where automation and security converge to shape the buildings of today and tomorrow.
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