Traditionally, buildings have taken on a passive role in how they are viewed alongside today's workplace and homes. This role has undoubtedly been a restricted one which tends to not contribute meaningfully to the productivity and overall cost-effectiveness of those who work, live and rely on it daily. Astoundingly this becomes more alarming when you consider that it accounts for up to 80% of a typical organization's or tenant's expenses.

Today, buildings are now recognized as dynamic structures that not only host but support the people who use it. These buildings with the aid of modern day microprocessors and intelligent hardware and services increase their roles dramatically with the confines of its four walls. With the cost of personnel and energy sources inflating the building can play an intricate role in reducing and improving the overall efficiency, cost and quality of life. These savings and improvements are fast becoming a feature that few organizations can refuse to embrace.

To meet contemporary and future needs, a building must establish an environment that is hospitable to those who work within it as well as to the changing technologies on which their productivity relies. To maintain an intelligent building is to control operating costs through technology and improved services.

Intelligent buildings contain a high level of electronic microprocessor based control systems that operate a wide range of services such as lighting, heat, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), power, vertical transportation, fire and life safety, and security. Along with these automation systems, there are sophisticated telecommunications systems for voice, data, and video transmission.

Traditionally, these systems have been an integral part of most buildings. However, recently these individual systems have become increasingly more intelligent and now can be also integrated to share information and communicate between themselves. When this happens, you truly have an intelligent building.

In the commercial sector, pressure on owner/developers to build intelligent buildings is growing. These buildings will probably be more attractive and easier to lease. Existing buildings, lacking the attractive features of the newer, intelligent ones may lose tenants to their intelligent competitors because factors such as energy efficiency will have a critical influence.

Commercial buildings account for between 30 and 40 percent of national energy use. Energy management systems, deal with the automation of specific aspect of a building's services, such as lighting, heating and cooling. By controlling these areas with intelligent automated systems, the building is not only more functional, it is also much more energy efficient. For example, by turning off unnecessary lights and not heating unoccupied rooms, commercial buildings can reduce utility bills by 20 to 30 percent. Overall energy can be reduced by up to 50 percent.

One application of the intelligent building is automation of the home. Home management systems allow the home owner to control security, energy management, entertainment, communications through one integrated system and easy to use interface.

People have been using home automation devices (garage door openers, sprinkler systems and security networks are examples) for years. Now, thanks to technology advances, it's possible, at reasonable prices, to link these separate systems into an integrated whole.

There are more examples of home and work life, not only being easier, but also more economical and environmentally friendly. The energy management system could be programmed to automatically operate appliances at the lowest energy price, according to preset preferences. Energy consumption would also be reduced, due in part to automatic shut-off of lights or reduced cooling or heating when the home or building is unoccupied. With simple tasks like closing the curtains when too much sunlight enters a window, to adjusting the temperature when no one is present, this technology can lead to substantial savings of twenty to thirty percent on the utility bill.

Automating an intelligent home today is not cost prohibitive. More advanced technologies are now available for the home and are being integrated together, as true intelligent homes begin to become more commonplace. The degree to which this control is exercised is determined by cost, the user's wishes and the type of building.

The user interfaces are the components in intelligent building systems upon which the users will judge everything else. If the interface is confusing, the system will be thought of in that way. It is essential to make the systems appear simple.

Homeowners can now control the technology with easy-to-use customizable interfaces such as wall mounted touch screens, rather than a bank of confusing switched knobs and indicators.

Through the integration of information technologies and intelligent automation systems, Internet interfaces on computers and standalone ‘Internet enabled’ devices will provide easy access to control intelligent buildings. With the use of currently available technologies, design and implementation it is possible now to provide ‘virtual’ thermostats and light switches for occupants of commercial buildings or the family at home.

Integral to the building team

Like all high technology areas, the rate of change of available products, systems and solutions on offer for intelligent building solutions is massive. How do developers, builder and architects find out more about how to include the relevant technology in their project to ensure their clients’ short and long term intelligent building needs are satisfied?

The answer is to team up with technology specialists. Planning to integrate technology into a building requires the assistance of systems integrators, professionals who are experienced in designing and implementing intelligent building solutions. The burden of those tasks associated with the building or refurbishment of an environment can be considerably lightened with one company looking after the complexities of the system’s installation and integration.

Systems integrators specialize in implementing intelligent building solutions. Independent systems integrators, such as those who Integrated Systems website have a broad knowledge of the available technology required to offer an integrated intelligent building solution to a client. Systems integrators will utilize their knowledge of industry trends to ensure that the property investments of clients will be ready for a constantly advancing market.

Systems integrators don't just install equipment. They work along side builders, architects and building users to develop an intelligent building for their specific project. They identify the client's needs and expectations, and any limitations and problems, analyze building and wiring schematics, establish the brief and plan the detailed intelligent building solution and recommend equipment.

An experienced systems integrator will recognize the importance of establishing a good rapport with clients from the start. Any lack of knowledge about available technology should be met with a desire to assist. The integrator should be willing to take the time to help you understand the options available to meet the individual requirements and budget of the project.