Affordable Way to the IoT Reality: How BMS Can Boost Small & Mid-Sized Businesses
In this Article:
3.1. Cutting Expenses
3.4. Providing Safety
4. Afterword
For several years now, we have seen a dynamic environment. Several market earthquakes occurred, forcing the business tectonic plates to create new landscapes for further development. The things that were used to be a matter of the distant future or unimaginable luxury are at arm's length now. Companies that reach them will stay afloat.
Corporations use technologies like IoT to make their business invulnerable to external issues. Enterprises equip their warehouses, offices, and buildings in a new way. Meanwhile, small and mid-sized companies are trying to implement the innovations they can afford.
Here I would like to debunk the myth that the commercial benefits of smart facilities are available to business sharks only. The reality is that usage of building management systems can open the way for small businesses to IoT-based business development.
Scroll down to discover how BMS makes the Internet of Things affordable.
You may also like: IoT Management For Real Estate What a Building Management System Can Bring to Small and Mid-Sized Companies
Recently, I came across a curious scheme of the evolution of IoT solutions for real estate. It illustrates the development of technology from elementary tools to digital twins. Building management systems ranked second after the simplest solutions. But does simplicity mean low efficiency?
What is a Building Management System?
For those, who face this definition for the first time, a building management system (BMS) is intelligent software containing a set of connected devices in a facility. It helps regulate the environment inside, natural resources consumption, equipment operation, etc.
4 Benefits of BMS That Make it a Reasonable Area of Investment
Simplicity
BMS is a full-fledged IoT product for facilities control that is much more affordable than a digital twin technology. The case in its comparative simplicity. Here is the main reason for its availability for small and mid-sized businesses.
Agile IoT basis
A building management system can satisfy small companies better than enterprises. Every case is unique, but yes, BMS is like a basis for further development. Small businesses need to enter the IoT world, and BMS is a great way. Companies can configure and upgrade it following their needs. Building management system is flexible and scalable. That's why BMS will not interfere with business development. It will support it.
Narrow functionality
Let's go back to the building management system's simplicity. For small and mid-sized companies, this is a significant advantage. They do not always need the advanced features the expensive solutions can contain. If the management of a small store decides to implement a digital twin, it will not use half of its functionality. Like a virtual idea validation for supply chain optimization. Small shops do not have an extensive system of suppliers and routes. Thus, it is possible to upgrade a supply chain without complex digital solutions. Meanwhile, the last one will be only a reminder of a failed investment.
In this case, buying BMS has become a reasonable solution bringing a high ROI.
Easy to develop & deploy
Companies don’t need extra effort, resources, or software to design and deploy a building management system. It's simple, especially when you apply a robust low code tool. This approach can save your investment and time, ensuring you with custom, well-integrated and scalable software. All you should have for BMS implementation are:
an experienced team
intelligent connected devices
a central platform
a user-friendly interface
Low code instruments can provide you with the last two components.
You may also like: What IoT Platform Does Your Business Need In 2021: A Buyer’s Guide 
Why is a Building Management System Better Than Nothing?
Cutting Expenses
Following the Energy Star, small businesses in the U.S. spend over $60 bln a year on energy. It's arduous to control energy or water consumption when you don't have a proper management tool at hand. Accordingly, costs increase exponentially. It leads to higher item prices and loss of audience. A building management system can solve this issue by intelligent monitoring. It regulates the light, water flow, maintains the required temperature, and automatically reduces the consumption level if no one is inside.
Due to BMS usage, companies can control and optimize natural resource spending.
Preventing damages and downtime
Imagine that you have a small fruit & vegetable store. Steady turnover and suitable storage conditions support their freshness. Suddenly your air conditioning system or fridges break down. You will arrange a "Black Friday" to cover the investment somehow. For small and medium businesses, this is a significant loss.
A building management system is better than nothing because it notifies employees about current and future equipment accidents. It defines the normal state of the operation and alerts the involved professionals of any deviations from the standard. It allows companies to get ahead and keep the equipment running internally.
Increasing Productivity & Engagement
Management and employees of small and medium-sized companies are used to doing everything manually: taking care of the equipment inside the office, adjusting the room temperature, etc. It seems harmless, but routine operations take time and steal productivity. People are not involved in their duties until they have comfortable conditions for it. Without BMS, they have to do it themselves. Routine breeds indifference, and indifference breeds employee turnover.
Providing Safety
Now it is one of the key factors in favor of BMS. How can small companies get employees back into the office after the pandemic crisis? How to save people from a fire or any dangerous situation? A building management system allows managers to ensure a safe working environment: the proper operation of air conditioning systems, the body temperature analysis, etc. Sensors instantly respond to any life-threatening situations. The central system notifies everyone in the building timely, allowing them to find a safe exit.
Afterword
Building management systems are an engine of digital transformation for small and midsize businesses. They are affordable, versatile, and flexible to business development changes. BMS usage will help companies support competition soon. But now, it's a way to go beyond competition.
Drop us a line if you want to use this opportunity and boost your business with a custom building management system. We will help you create it with the XME.fast code platform in a tight schedule.