Overcoming Building ‘Not Spots’ To Connect The Hybrid Workforce
Tim Loynes, Director at Cellnex UK In-Building Solutions, highlights the how facilities managers can embrace digital solutions to improve employee satisfaction.
Older buildings bring with them an inherent list of challenges for facilities managers (FMs) to navigate. From overseeing maintenance, to ensuring the building is operating as it should, it’s an essential part of the job to meet tenant needs. Facilities managers work against the clock to fix these issues, but those who are based in old buildings with poor connection, it can turn into a recurring headache. And with the retrofitting of historic buildings having the potential to generate £35bn of economic output a year, it’s a challenge FMs may be faced with more and more.
In today's digital age, reliable connectivity is essential for businesses to operate efficiently. In the last few years, the move to hybrid working has seen office layouts shaken up, with hot desks and more mobile working; meaning a resulting shift away from traditional IT environments, adopting advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure, meaning the demand for robust connectivity has never been greater.
However, certain buildings present unique challenges when it comes to ensuring reliable connectivity. Outdated infrastructure, thick walls, steel structures, and the use of metallised glass in building design can impede wireless signals, resulting in weak or inconsistent internet connections. These physical barriers hinder employees' ability to communicate, collaborate, and access critical information, leading to frustrating interruptions.
Why Should FMs Care About Connectivity?
Poor connectivity within buildings can emerge as a significant stressor for workers, and for businesses alike. Organisations rely on cloud-based applications, real-time collaboration tools, and data-intensive processes that necessitate fast and stable internet connections. To unlock the full potential of these technologies, workplace facilities must keep pace with this digital transformation.
At the same time, employees seek an environment that rivals their homeworking set-up and supports their well-being and productivity – so perhaps more than ever, the quality of workplace facilities is under intense scrutiny.
And with tenant satisfaction key to the attraction and retention of high-quality tenants, FMs operating in outdated buildings face the challenge of addressing these connectivity issues through innovative means.
Cost-Effective Solutions For The Whole Building
In-Building connectivity solutions can be a vital resource for FMs dealing with ‘not-spots’ in their building. Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) are effective in-building solutions that provide enhanced cellular coverage within buildings, effectively extending the reach of wireless networks. By strategically placing antennas throughout the premises, DAS overcomes the limitations posed by thick walls and structural obstacles, ensuring strong, consistent and cost-effective 4G or 5G indoor connectivity for building tenants.
Designed to handle high data traffic volumes, DAS can also ensure that FMs are keeping clients happy, as multiple users can access the network simultaneously without compromising performance – offering seamless connectivity to eliminate productivity barriers. Businesses can enjoy faster data transfer speeds and reduced latency, and maximise their use of real-time communication tools such as video conferencing, and shared document platforms, to support their hybrid approach.
By addressing and prioritising their tenant's connectivity needs and partnering with telecom companies (TelCos) to leverage DAS technology, FMs can create modern workplaces that empower employees and drive productivity. Strong in-building connectivity ensures that tenants have the necessary tools to carry out their work effectively, leading to higher tenant satisfaction, better relationships between tenants and the building management, and a higher likelihood of lease renewals.
Supporting Effective Building Management
Facilities managers can leverage additional benefits from investing in DAS solutions, as improved connectivity can support them in monitoring and managing the building effectively. The enhanced bandwidth allows them to invest in IoT upgrades to deliver real-time monitoring of building systems and devices – such as HVAC systems, security systems, fire alarms, and energy meters – with data remotely accessible.
This can result in opportunities to improve security, with connected surveillance systems providing real-time alerts benefitting not just the building management, but all tenants within the building. It also allows FMs to consider how best to improve energy consumption, through more informed decision making. This is an especially important consideration when it comes to an increasing trend to retrofit older buildings for modern use.
Typically, historic buildings are formed of less insulating materials, like stone or brick, and they must overcome inefficient HVAC systems, potentially lacking in programmable thermostats, zonal controls, or energy-saving features like heat recovery ventilation. Compared to modern buildings, there is far more for FMs to contend with, and improved connectivity is key to implementing solutions like automated lighting and heating systems.
Lastly, predictive maintenance strategies are heavily reliant on robust connectivity, with sensors and devices installed to deliver continuous data on equipment health. This allows FMs to detect early signs of failure or inefficiency, which can be remedied at an earlier stage - reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency.
Connectivity has become a significant consideration for businesses when choosing office spaces. In a competitive real estate market, buildings that offer robust connectivity solutions have a distinct advantage in attracting and retaining high-quality tenants. Modern businesses heavily rely on technology and require seamless connectivity for their operations, and FMs that recognise this and invest in enhancing connectivity through in-building solutions like DAS, can position their buildings as attractive options, increasing occupancy rates and maximising the value of the property.
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