The concept of smart buildings has evolved beyond mere technology installation. According to Ariel Campos, President of IMEI BOMA, the focus is now on utilizing technology effectively to enhance operations, reduce resource consumption, and improve occupant conditions.
From Reactive to Proactive Building Management
Campos highlights a significant shift in building management. Historically, issues were addressed as they arose. Now, the emphasis is on using data and measurement to anticipate and prevent problems, ensuring optimal building performance.
This change is reflected in the upcoming IMEI BOMA Connect 2026 event, themed “The Real Estate Future Today: Artificial Intelligence, Sustainability, and Profitability”. The event, scheduled for October 27, 2026, at the Soumaya Museum in Mexico City, aims to explore the intersection of these critical areas.
Sector-Specific Challenges in Smart Building Operations
Different real estate sectors face unique challenges in smart building operations:
- Offices: The rise of hybrid work has reduced occupancy, necessitating efficient building operation at lower capacity.
- Retail: High operational demands require improvements in energy efficiency, water usage, and customer experience.
- Industrial and Logistics: Increasingly sophisticated infrastructure demands greater energy efficiency, automation, connectivity, security, and sustainability.
- Mixed-Use: Integrating diverse functions like offices, retail, housing, and hospitality requires complex platform management.
In an interview, Campos emphasizes the need for facility managers to translate technical decisions into business strategies. This involves demonstrating cost savings, return on investment, risk mitigation, and the impact on asset competitiveness.
IMEI BOMA is addressing this shift through training and best practices. Programs like BOMA BEST and BOMA 360 aim to professionalize building operators, focusing on interoperability and cybersecurity as more systems become interconnected.
Campos stresses the importance of data quality for effective artificial intelligence implementation. Many buildings still need to integrate isolated systems and ensure reliable data collection before advancing to AI solutions.
The IMEI BOMA Connect 2026 event will look into these topics, exploring how technology can solve specific problems and prepare buildings for the future. The event aims to support conversations and share experiences among professionals facing similar challenges.
Evolving Skill Sets for Facility Managers
Facility managers are now expected to bridge technical and business domains. They must understand building systems while also grasping financial concepts like operational expenses and return on investment. This hybrid skill set enables them to communicate effectively with both technical staff and property owners or investors.
The Role of Data and Measurement in Building Management
The integration of data and measurement is transforming building management from a reactive to a proactive approach. Campos emphasizes that understanding how a building functions allows for better decision-making, moving beyond simply fixing issues as they occur.