Smart Infrastructure is Connecting Energy, Space, and Experience To Business Outcomes

Facilities leadership has evolved beyond reactive maintenance. Buildings are now data-generating assets that enable proactive, intelligence-driven operations, shaping cost management, real estate strategy, and employee experience. Smart buildings are no longer passive infrastructure; they are strategic levers that drive measurable business performance.

Kunal Sikka, VP of Global Solutions Sales at Acuity Intelligent Spaces, sees this shift not as a distant ideal but as a practical way to turn buildings into strategic assets that improve efficiency, enhance occupant experience, and support overall business outcomes. "Buildings have become data-generating assets. Smart systems let facility managers proactively optimize energy, space, and occupant experience, turning buildings from cost centers into strategic assets," he says.

That same operational data does more than optimize day-to-day performance. It also informs long-term real estate strategy. By analyzing trends in occupancy, energy use, and system performance, organizations can make smarter decisions about whether to consolidate space or expand to meet demand. Some large multi-site organizations are now unifying systems such as HVAC, refrigeration, and lighting into a single-pane-of-glass platform. A unified system allows buildings to adjust to external conditions like heat or sunlight at scale, moving beyond the limitations of traditional rules-based approaches.

• A dual mandate: According to Sikka, the shift is driven by two key groups: building owners seeking better returns on their real estate investments and occupants expecting modern, responsive experiences. The traditional role of the facilities manager, once measured by simply keeping systems running, is evolving. Today, facility leaders are expected to act as data-driven strategists, optimizing costs while enhancing workforce productivity. "Building owners want greater insights and returns on their investments, while occupants expect an environment that is smart, responsive, and tailored to their needs," Sikka says.

• Portfolio Perspective: Successfully making this transition means treating buildings with the same scrutiny as any major investment. "Just as you track trends in a stock portfolio to guide investment decisions, the same approach applies to managing buildings," he says.

Beyond financial efficiencies, a data-driven approach also shapes the employee experience. In a competitive hiring market, the quality of the work environment can be a key differentiator. Actively managing factors such as air quality, lighting, and temperature can influence behavior, engagement, and productivity, a principle long understood in environments like Las Vegas casinos.

Realizing these benefits, however, requires careful execution. A primary source of friction is change management. When leaders issue mandates to reduce energy use or improve sustainability without providing the necessary tools, teams frequently revert to old habits. Overcoming this requires reframing technology as an enabler and empowering on-the-ground teams. It also means bridging the skills gap between traditional systems based on pneumatics and serial communication and today’s modern, IP-based IT infrastructure, a critical trend shaping facilities management for the coming years.

• A place at the table: Smart building technologies do not replace technicians. They empower them by providing better information to address the shortage of skilled workers. "Too often, facility managers are given directives on objectives, but the work isn't done to train and modernize them. You have to bring them to the table and make them part of the solution," Sikka says.

For leaders ready to take the next step, the path is clear. Start by assessing the systems and data you already have. Be precise about your objectives, whether that means improving energy efficiency, enhancing occupant experience, or boosting operational productivity. Then work with vendors to explore retrofitting existing buildings with modern smart systems. Emerging technology now allows IP-based control systems to operate over legacy wiring, making phased upgrades possible and avoiding costly full replacements. As Sikka concludes, "The key is to understand what you have, know what you want to achieve, and use the tools available to turn your buildings into strategic assets."