Session 2: The Competitive Edge: How Today’s Smart Building Solutions are Changing the Game

Brad Haeberle
Vice President, Service and Solutions
Siemens Smart Infrastructure, Chicago

The office buildings of the 20th century were shaped by the emergence of a group of industrial technologies, including the elevator, complicated HVAC systems, communications advancements, and IT infrastructure. Today, a host of new digital technologies is radically redefining our workplaces—how they are built, how they operate, and how they support working life. Our workplaces have become Internet-of-Things (IoT)-enabled environments that engage with and adapt to the building's users and the real-time needs of their operational equipment. Organizations that are pushing the envelope by successfully harmonizing information and operational technologies are getting ahead of their competition and staying there.

Real-world scenarios showcase how smart offices today have become a new source of competitive advantage. Smart buildings can actively support talent attraction and retention, encouraging collaboration and innovation, while improving employee productivity, satisfaction and well-being. Whether you are a tenant in high-rise building, a developer considering innovative solutions for your next project, or a building owner who is looking to add value for their tenants—a deeper understanding of how modern workplaces have the potential to drive competitive advantage will inform the steps needed to make that happen.