Unlocking insights from your building’s data – How better integration can help facilities managers turn building data into smarter decisions

A building can meet every expectation at design stage and still fall short once it is in use. Research from the UK Green Building Council highlights a persistent gap between expected and actual performance, which is one reason why building data matters more than ever to facilities managers. The issue is rarely the lack of information itself. More often, the challenge lies in making sense of it across systems and using it in a way that supports practical decisions. Here, Peter Schwartz, senior technology consultant at IT and cyber security partner OryxAlign, explains how better integration and visibility can help.

The data is already there

Modern building management systems support more than basic monitoring. They capture data across HVAC, energy use and environmental conditions, often at a detailed level. As a result, facilities teams already have access to large volumes of operational data, and there is growing expectation that this information should support better decision-making.

As RICS‑funded research into big data in UK facilities management notes: “Facilities Management organisations are facing increasing pressure from client organisations to manage facility portfolios with stringent goals for both cost efficiency and environmental impact. The ability to integrate, visualise and closely monitor building data… is critical to achieving these goals.”

Not all data is easy to interpret in context. Individual data points can show what is happening, but they do not always explain why. Without a clearer view of how systems interact, it becomes difficult to draw meaningful conclusions. The opportunity lies in making better use of existing data rather than introducing additional systems.

Why siloed systems limit insight

Many estates still rely on systems that were implemented at different times and for different purposes. These systems do not always share data effectively, which limits visibility across the building.

When information sits across separate platforms, it becomes harder to validate, compare and act on. Patterns that span multiple systems can be missed, even when the underlying data exists. This can affect how facilities teams understand energy use, occupancy and overall building performance.

As buildings become more connected, the ability to bring these data sources together becomes increasingly important. Integration allows data to be viewed in context rather than in isolation.

What useful insight actually looks like

When data is brought together, it can support a more practical understanding of how a building is operating. It can help identify where systems are not running as expected, such as equipment operating outside of required hours. It can also highlight patterns that may be affecting occupant comfort before they develop into wider issues.

Greater visibility of occupancy and usage can help align building operation with actual demand. Trend data can also support more informed maintenance decisions, allowing teams to act earlier rather than respond to faults after they occur. As the Better Buildings Partnership notes, “continued monitoring for energy performance involves analysing and reporting energy performance to avoid unnecessary cost and to drive on-going energy performance improvement”.

In each case, the value comes from interpreting information in context rather than relying on isolated data points.

Start with integration, not reinvention

For many organisations, improving insight does not require a complete overhaul of existing systems. A more practical starting point is to identify which systems already generate useful data across the estate. From there, it becomes easier to assess where gaps exist in visibility, compatibility or accessibility.

Focusing on areas where clearer insight is likely to deliver immediate value can help build momentum. This may include HVAC performance, energy use or occupancy patterns.

An incremental approach can be more realistic in existing buildings, where full replacement is not always feasible. Involving both facilities and IT teams early also helps ensure that systems remain secure, scalable and aligned with wider operational needs.

Facilities managers do not necessarily need more data, but a clearer way of understanding what is already available. The ability to connect systems and interpret information in context is becoming an important part of building operation.

Organisations that treat IT infrastructure as part of that foundation are better placed to act on insight and respond to changing demands. With the right level of integration and visibility, building data becomes something that can be used to inform decisions rather than simply observed.

To find out more about how to make better use of building data, visit www.oryxalign.com.

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