Cloud-based building management systems, IoT devices, and remote mobile connectivity are rapidly transforming today’s facilities and security management ecosystem in the commercial real estate sector saving valuable time in the event of an emergency by placing “human sensors” in the field. For property owners and managers, commercial building security, both physical and cyber, is an increasingly important aspect of day-to-day operations.
A recent Gartner report estimates 70% of all software interactions will occur on mobile devices, by 2022. As mobile use becomes more integrated into daily roles across multiple industries, remote access is becoming a more significant part of building security and management.
Many commercial building security systems include surveillance, alarms and other technologies to ensure tenant safety; the deployment of cloud-based platforms and the Internet of Things (IoT), in-building security systems have evolved to offer remote access monitoring capabilities which provide access building systems from virtually anywhere. These technologies are vastly changing the nature of building facility management and improving security in many ways.
Immediate access to commercial building security threats
Due to the size and nature of building and facility management, it is becoming more essential to have human or building security staff in the field. Now, through the deployment of IoT devices and remote monitoring local teams can consistently check on different aspects of building safety and perform their jobs far more efficiently. The primary benefit of remote monitoring is the ability for building staffers to be on the move and address multiple issues in real-time rather than having staff stationed in a control room during an emergency.
Cloud-based BMS improve response time in emergency
Cloud-based building management systems are providing today’s facilities with access to mass messaging, video monitoring, intrusion detection and alarms, visitor management, and building management operations – all from one user interface.
Having a fully integrated security system enables first responders to save lives and manage an emergency situation more effectively. In the case of a fire or a hostile intruder, first responders can better assess which building assets are operating correctly to implement a viable evacuation plan for occupants.
The ability to observe what is happening throughout the building and remotely controlling its elevators, locked doors and exits can be crucial in emergency situations.
Remote access eliminating labor costs
These technologies are significantly reducing the labor and workforce costs involved in operating and maintaining a physical security infrastructure. Rather than monitoring security situations from a control room, teams can remain visible throughout the facility while they watch real-time information through their devices.
This enables security professionals to make more explicit decisions about whether to dispatch and what staff is required to manage emergency situations and leads faster responses to security issues from anywhere.
In many cases, these systems eliminate the need to dispatch a technician to assess a situation and resolves issues such as property access for tenants and disabled or broken badges can be fixed with incurring additional labor costs. Further, these remote access solutions give end-user customers a greater ability to perform day-to-day tasks remotely.
The immediate benefits of enabling remote work and monitoring security systems result in significant labor and cost savings.
Building owners must remain cognizant of the growing need for implementing safety systems that enable secure, quick and efficient access to buildings and their networks by first responders and importance of keeping controls in the palm of their hands.