Michael Vartholomaios, Head of Digital Transformation & Technology at PRODEA Investments
Welcome to Integrated Projects’ newsletter, Buildings 2.0.
Every week, we interview the brightest minds – from chief innovation officers to architects to owners – about the technology and trends reshaping the structures we live and work in, then write up a summary of the top actionable lessons you can learn from them.
In our latest edition, we dive into our interview with Michael Vartholomaios, Head of Digital Transformation & Technology at PRODEA Investments. Here are the top takeaways from the interview.
1. Data Will Tell You How to Streamline Your Building Operations
"The first thing we have to understand is that data doesn't lie. …. With how the Internet of Things is evolving, and buildings are becoming smarter, and you're getting built-in readers that transmit all their data and the consumption rates per hour or the lighting — we're starting to understand how people are using the buildings more through this data.
“By actually having and collecting all this data, we can actually create strategies and find operational conveniences, let's say, to make these properties either more efficient or more adaptive to our needs."
Actionable Takeaway: Collect data from your buildings, and use the insights from analyzing that data to create strategies for operational efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability.
2. AI Can Make Buildings More Efficient and Personal
"Imagine putting AI in a building that has data sensors everywhere. You can use this AI to ask the building to operate at the most efficient level as possible, and it will understand what that means and just adjust everything accordingly on the spot, constantly, without any human intervention. That is something that's going to be very interesting to see how it's going to play out.
“I caught a report somewhere of a building that had set something up like that, but it was only to their ventilation and air conditioning units. But I'm thinking even further, maybe it'll be able to tell when someone's in a specific room and forward all their calls to the phone device that's there. I know we have mobile phones and everything, but it's just an extra level of automation that could happen behind the scenes without anyone knowing. And I think that will liberate and make the work environment so much more interesting and adaptable.
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Actionable Takeaway: Consider AI use cases in your properties where AI-driven adjustments could help the building operate at its most efficient levels. Or, it can create personalized experiences for occupants as they move around the spaces.
3. The Three Ps of Digital Transformation
"In digital transformation, we focus on the three Ps: that's people, processes, and products. The first and most important is the people. You want to involve them so that they can feel part of the change and understand it. And that way it makes it easier for them to embrace the change. …
"The second P is the processes. You need to streamline and engineer the processes to use digital tools. And usually that means mixing things up a lot. You have to make sure that what you are providing will enhance the users and enhance their workflow and reduce the amount of manual effort that's required on their end.
"And the last is within the product, you need to collect data. And I'm saying this not as a data junkie, but just start collecting data as soon as possible. It doesn't matter if you know what it's going to be used for or not. Just collect as much of it as you can, because down the line, most likely you're going to need it."
Actionable Takeaway: As you embark on digital transformation in your properties, remember to focus on the people, processes, and products that will drive that change.
Thanks Antonis Vartholomeos for bringing this post to our attention.