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The benefits of connected buildings and remote building operations


By identifying waste and delivering energy efficiency upgrades across multiple locations, connected building management systems can enable a significant reduction in energy costs. Here, Honeywell outlines the benefits of continuous monitoring and cloud-based platforms.


F


or retail property owners, asset managers and facilities teams, energy performance has become a critical factor in


both portfolio value and operational success. Rising energy costs, increasing sustainability expectations, ageing infrastructure and growing pressure from occupiers are forcing organisations to rethink how they manage their estates. Across shopping centres, retail parks, branded retail locations, restaurant estates and mixed-use developments, connected building management is emerging as a powerful way to reduce costs, improve resilience and unlock greater value from existing assets. Traditionally, building management


has relied on disconnected systems, manual reporting and reactive or time-based maintenance. While these approaches may have been effective in the past, they often provide limited visibility into performance across an estate. Connected building management addresses this challenge by bringing building and operational data into a single platform, providing real-time insight across multiple sites and enabling faster, better-informed decision-making. The opportunity is particularly


significant when it comes to energy. Energy remains one of the largest controllable operating costs across commercial real estate. HVAC systems account for a substantial share of building energy consumption, while lighting, refrigeration and other equipment contribute significantly to overall demand. Even small inefficiencies, when repeated across multiple locations, can result in considerable unnecessary expenditure.


Real-time performance Connected buildings provide continuous visibility into how energy is being consumed through sensors, smart controls and cloud-based analytics. Rather than relying solely on monthly utility reports and historical data, facilities teams can monitor performance in real time and identify inefficiencies as they occur. This allows organisations to move beyond simply measuring energy consumption and towards actively managing it.


16 Crucially, connected platforms


do more than provide visibility. They enable property, facilities and operations teams to take action remotely. Operating schedules, setpoints and equipment performance can be reviewed and adjusted across individual sites or entire estates without the need for costly and time- consuming site visits. By identifying waste and responding quickly, organisations can translate operational intelligence into measurable savings. Whether managing a portfolio of shopping centres, a network of retail stores or a nationwide restaurant estate, the ability to identify issues and take corrective action remotely helps improve performance while controlling operational costs. As organisations face increasing pressure to do more with fewer resources, this capability is becoming increasingly valuable.


Better connected Modern connected building platforms also support greater automation. Rather than simply reporting issues, connected systems can respond automatically to changing conditions. Lighting, heating and cooling can be adjusted according to occupancy patterns, operating schedules and environmental conditions. By ensuring systems operate only when required, buildings can reduce waste while maintaining comfort for customers, occupiers, employees and visitors. This is particularly valuable in retail


and restaurant environments, where usage patterns vary throughout


improving first-time fix rates and reducing unnecessary call-outs. The benefits extend beyond


improved building performance. Remote building operations help organisations move from reactive maintenance to proactive outcomes through continuous monitoring, performance optimisation and risk management. This can improve uptime, reduce operational costs and increase efficiency while freeing internal teams from day-to-day system management. Facilities and property professionals can then focus more time on strategic priorities, customer experience and estate improvement initiatives. Connected building management


also strengthens operational resilience. Critical systems, including HVAC equipment, refrigeration, lighting and electrical infrastructure, require effective monitoring to ensure reliable performance. By continuously analysing equipment data, organisations can identify abnormal operating conditions at an early stage and respond before issues become costly failures. Cloud-based platforms also


make it easier to standardise reporting, optimisation strategies and governance frameworks across multiple sites. As environmental, social and governance requirements continue to evolve, accurate building data is becoming increasingly important for measuring performance, demonstrating progress and supporting sustainability objectives. Access to real-time operational


the day and between locations. Automation helps maintain efficiency and consistency without increasing management complexity, enabling organisations to standardise operations across large and geographically dispersed estates. However, technology alone is only


part of the solution. Many facilities and property teams are managing larger and more complex portfolios while balancing sustainability goals, service expectations and cost pressures. This is where remote building operations can deliver significant value.


Expert oversight Dedicated remote building operations teams provide continuous monitoring, expert oversight and proactive performance management. By reviewing alarms, analysing performance data and identifying emerging issues, they can often diagnose and resolve issues remotely before they escalate. When on-site intervention is required, maintenance teams can be dispatched with a clearer understanding of the problem,


intelligence is rapidly becoming a competitive advantage. Connected building management, combined with remote building operations, enables organisations to enhance energy efficiency, strengthen resilience, optimise performance and support sustainability goals through a single intelligent ecosystem.


Rather than managing buildings


as isolated assets, owners and operators can manage entire estates as connected environments that continuously learn, adapt and improve. For organisations seeking to control costs, improve operational performance and accelerate sustainability ambitions, connected buildings and remote building operations are becoming an essential foundation for future-ready portfolio management.


What next? To learn more, please contact Oliver – oliver.bryant@honeywell.com – for a chat and advice on the best way forward for your portfolio or visit: buildings.honeywell.com/gb. ■


EIBI | SEPTEMBER 2026


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