Building technology has a transformative role in modern construction. At its core, it makes building operations quick, efficient, and centralized. It has revolutionized building management practices by improving energy efficiency, comfort, and productivity. Facility managers now have an easier time ensuring that the building system functions well for a better customer experience.

Technological integration in the construction industry has been a gradual but transformative process. One such technology is the building management system (BMS). The BMS was initially introduced as a standalone system for specific building functions, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control or energy management. Today, this prime example of transformative buildings solutions has evolved to encompass a wider range of applications and functionalities to optimize building operations.

The evolution of solutions integration

Technological integration in establishments has been shaped by the evolution of the industry. This was defined by the technological needs and demands of establishments today. Compared to traditional approaches that rely on individual systems with limited communication capabilities, utilizing technologies like BMS provides a unified interface for monitoring and controlling all aspects of building performance. This building solution leverages advanced sensors, data analytics, and automation, therefore allowing facility managers to be more proactive in decision-making and resource management.

What started as a niche technology has now become a cornerstone of modern building management. Today, BMS operates as an integral component in holistic and sustainable construction management that can integrate and manage all technologies with ease. Fortunately for Philippine businesses, Mitsubishi Electric has made building solutions accessible through International Elevator & Equipment, Inc. (IEE). We are a dedicated one-stop building solutions concierge for clients to acquire technologies whose quality they can rely on.

Achieving sustainability through integrated systems

In recent decades, Philippine corporations have been one of the growing markets for building management systems. The increasing number of construction projects, growing penetration of the Internet of Things (IoT) integration in the construction industry, and demand for smart buildings made local conglomerates and businesses open to centralizing the operation of their building solutions.

Through IEE, Mitsubishi Electric makes centralized systems possible with BMS. The availability of a world-class BMS to the Philippine market addresses the need for efficient building management. Since its availability in 2020, numerous clients have enjoyed automation that reduced operational inefficiencies and regulated the need for frequent maintenance.

As individuals and businesses increasingly prioritize sustainability, integrating systems optimizes business operations and fulfills smart building management. The systems also contribute to achieving sustainability goals through the following benefits.

Efficiency in vertical transport solutions

Vertical transportation, such as elevators and escalators, plays a crucial role in modern buildings. Incorporating these systems through building automation can enhance efficiency, power optimization, and overall building management. This technology’s features, such as smart controls, energy management capabilities, and BMS integration make sustainable operations achievable. As a result, it minimizes carbon footprint without compromising the safety and comfort of passengers.

Optimal resource usage and comfort

Solutions integration optimizes resource usage by monitoring and controlling electricity, water, and air conditioning to prevent wastage. Through the control center, facility managers can turn lighting and water fixtures on and off through automated building controls.

Incorporating air conditioning systems into the BMS also allows for proper resource management and climate control. This system integration makes it easier to manage the temperature and airflow across multiple zones within the building with precision. Some air conditioning systems, like the VRF City Multi Systems, also allow for distributed airflow and independent control of air conditioning units.

This way, the facility manager can prioritize making spaces comfortable in high-traffic areas, ensuring optimal temperatures in server rooms, or turning off the air conditioning systems once the workday ends.

Smarter operations through BMS

BMS helps facility managers streamline building processes. The increasing adoption of this kind of automation in various industries is primarily driven by the recognition that automation simplifies functions by efficiently handling repetitive tasks while providing data to enhance operations.

The BMS, for one, provides predictive maintenance within the establishment by collecting and analyzing data from the building technologies. From there, it can anticipate component failures and performance degradation and identify potential maintenance issues to allow for timely repairs or replacements, minimize downtime, and prolong equipment lifespan.

Business challenges addressed by integration

Apart from its role in achieving sustainability, building solutions integration also addresses critical challenges faced by clients.

One such challenge is providing critical decision-making support for top management. Integrating all building technologies under automation technology makes it easy to collect and analyze vast amounts of data that offer valuable insights for informed decision-making processes. In turn, top management is supplied with valuable information such as occupancy trends, equipment performance, and energy consumption patterns that help optimize building operations and strategic planning.

Another significant challenge addressed by integration is the evaluation of energy-saving strategies. Businesses and building owners are committing to reducing energy consumption and minimizing environmental impact. Incorporating the building solutions also enables organizations to track real-time energy usage to achieve tangible reductions in power consumption and associated costs.

Furthermore, it contributes to extending equipment service and lifespan. As mentioned, it is easier to monitor the equipment’s performance and condition to detect potential issues before they escalate into costly failures. Through predictive maintenance algorithms and condition-based monitoring, the system identifies early warning signs of equipment malfunction, enabling timely intervention and preventative maintenance measures. This enables clients to maximize the lifespan of our building technologies, thus optimizing long-term asset value and reducing maintenance expenses.

Leveraging on integrations

The integration of Mitsubishi Electric technologies is made simple due to the compatibility across our building solutions. It takes businesses a step closer to the future of construction technology. By having integrated building solutions, it is easier to acquire data that are essential for attaining various “green building” accreditations.

Another notable advantage is its ability to enhance user experience and efficiency. Integrating our vertical transportation and air conditioning systems in BMS follows a series of steps to ensure our services meet client expectations.

1. Defining clear objectives for the integration. Having clear objectives ensures that the integration addresses the specific goals and requirements of the client.
2. Selecting a scalable platform. Investing in adaptive building solutions with a scalable BMS platform enables flexibility to accommodate future growth and changes in technology.
3. Ensuring compatibility of systems. This minimizes disruptions and maximizes efficiency when the existing building technologies are integrated under one BMS.
4. Monitoring and analyzing performance data. These data enable businesses to have access to real-time insights they can use to optimize business operations.
5. Compliance with regulations for safety standards. This means complying with safety standards to safeguard the well-being of occupants.

In addition, integration allows for multi-user operations with different levels of authority, particularly for businesses with multiple presence in one establishment. This enables the establishment’s administration to assign personnel to manage and control data access across functionalities. It also reduces errors that could lead to downtime.

Integration alone is not enough; businesses must also train the staff on how building technologies are connected and managed through systems like the BMS to provide relevant support. Investing in thorough planning, expert consultation, and training for users can maximize the benefits of the integrated system. That is where IEE excels. Our well-trained and specialized personnel can provide businesses with technical know-how and support so they can maximize the incorporation of various building technologies in their establishments.

Maximizing systems integration in modern construction

Mitsubishi Electric has always been one of the companies at the forefront of innovation, releasing centralized systems to manage elevators, escalators, air conditioning, and more to optimize their use and prolong their lifespan. Modern companies rely on automation and integration to streamline building operations for efficiency and sustainability. With IEE, these technologies are within reach for the Philippine construction industry’s benefit. Businesses are now offered options that maximize the integration of advanced solutions, and these developments serve as the foundation for the infrastructures of tomorrow.