Digitization & Automation for Building Managers
Building managers are increasingly adopting digitization and automation solutions to enhance building efficiency, reduce operating costs, and improve occupant wellness. This report evaluates 11 technology markets that building managers should monitor, vet, and prioritize.
Market Evaluation Framework
The report uses CB Insights data to evaluate and score technologies based on two key factors:
- Market momentum: Determined by the number of startups, average investors per company, funding activity, and other metrics.
- Industry leader activity: Assessed through signals like CVC investment, M&A activity, and business relationships.
Technology Market Analysis
The report analyzes 11 technology markets, providing insights into each market's current status and recommendations for building managers.
Prioritize (Invest against today)
- HVAC optimization: Helps reduce energy costs and improve sustainability. Building managers should prioritize this technology to meet future regulations and achieve cost savings.
- Virtual power plants: Allows buildings to generate revenue by supplying energy back to the grid. Urban building managers should prioritize this technology due to utility incentives.
Vet (Evaluate over the next 1—3 years)
- Digital twins: Predicts maintenance needs and optimizes building operations. Building managers should consider recent deployments and focus on expanding the digital twin model.
- Water management: Assists in conserving water usage and detecting leaks. Building managers should assess local water scarcity and prioritize solutions that offer insights into reducing overall water usage.
Monitor (Roadmap for the next 3—5 years)
- Indoor mapping & occupancy analytics: Provides insights into how customers and employees use a building. Building managers should audit building layouts and deploy solutions as occupancy increases.
- Air filtering & monitoring: Improves occupant wellness and decreases the spread of diseases. Building managers should map air quality within the building and focus on areas with air quality concerns.
- Robotic vending: Offers food prep services without additional personnel. Building managers should monitor startups providing solutions for niche applications and subscription-style services.
- Cleaning robots: Seamlessly maintains a clean environment without relying on personnel. Building managers should focus on startups providing solutions for specific applications and subscription-style services.
- Building vendor management: Connects building managers with project vendors and manages bid prices. Building managers should evaluate vendors based on project outcomes and explore solutions that integrate with other building management software.
- Waste management: Offers insights into reducing building waste and increasing recycling. Building managers should contact vendors for building waste audits and prioritize solutions that offer insights into reducing overall waste.
- Building security & monitoring: Augments traditional security cameras with AI to detect security threats. Building managers should assess recent crime trends and invest accordingly to improve occupant well-being.
