Granlund Oy is involved in two KIRA digital projects aiming to accelerate digitalisation in the real estate and construction sector. One of the projects seeks to identify data transfer interfaces between building technology and the IoT.
The project, which will run until the end of November 2017, is developing recommendations that will enable data on information systems in properties to be shared more openly. The project is being conducted by Aalto University, and the participating companies are offering pilot sites.
”The project aims to liberate the data stuck down in the basements of properties so various different parties can make use of it,” says Granlund Oy’s Senior Consultant in building automation and part-time Professor of Practice at Aalto University, Heikki Ihasalo. ”This would lead to the creation of entirely new ecosystems, and experts in various fields would be able to sharpen their focus on their areas of expertise, such as reducing the energy consumption of properties.”
Best solutions tested on pilot sites
The first step for the project is to identify which data transfer interfaces are already in use in Finland and elsewhere.
”I believe that a market analysis will reveal international standards that we can also exploit in Finland,” Ihasalo says. ”In addition, we are conducting interviews to obtain information from suppliers of equipment for building automation, security systems and lighting, and the best solutions will be piloted in practice. Towards the end of spring, we will hold a joint workshop to release the results and, before summer begins, we will give our recommendations on what we should do together to advance the principles of openness.”
Getting property data out of systems and into the hands of people
In the early autumn, parties in the property and construction sector will have the opportunity to comment on the recommendation during a workshop.
”I hope that we will be able to make joint decisions because open data transfer would benefit everyone,” Ihasalo says. ”For example, a free flow of information would enable our maintenance management system, Granlund Manager, to be used more efficiently on properties, while suppliers of equipment could offer entirely new functionality in areas such as access control. The users and owners of properties are largely interested in the same things, such as indoor conditions. Users could be served by offering information on matters such as temperatures, queues in the canteen or free meeting rooms. The same information would guide property owners to plan their premises in a smarter way.”
Data also encourages people to do what they can to boost energy efficiency in properties.
”If property occupants receive data about the building’s energy efficiency, they can adapt their own routines and actively influence the energy efficiency of their working premises and the property as a whole,” Ihasalo states. ”It usually boils down to little things that make everyday life easier and also make an impact on a large scale.”
In addition to Granlund Oy, the project’s participants include the City of Helsinki, Senate Properties, Helvar Oy, Tieto Corporation, Aalto University Foundation and Aalto University. Further information: www.kiradigi.fi.
