Electric.ie January/February 2018

ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 7 Schneider Electric eneration of Facility Professionals connected devices that interact with their facilities on a daily basis. As a result, facility managers must learn new skill sets like data analysis and broaden their technology knowledge base in order to successfully manage and make the most of today’s building technologies. They must also work with the right systems integrators who know how to install and manage the most optimized and comprehensive intelligent energy solutions. While technology has greatly impacted the role of today’s facility professionals, we are also seeing a demographic shift as older workers retire and leave the workforce and are replaced by the next generation of facility managers. These younger facility professionals are technologically savvy when it comes to network connectivity and information technology. However, they often lack a deep knowledge of mechanical systems. To be successful, the next generation of facility professionals must Ƥ† ƒ ™ƒ› –‘ ‡”‰‡ –Š‡‹” ‡™ world knowledge of the IoT with the mechanic knowledge that drove the building management industry for decades. The key to success in today’s building management landscape for both experienced and newer facility professionals is gaining a deep understanding of the components critical to achieving comprehensive energy management within homes and facilities – including lighting & room controls, power distribution, datacom, HVAC control and energy monitoring. To achieve in-depth knowledge to optimise building control, ‘’‡”ƒ–‹‘ƒŽ ‡ƥ…‹‡…› ƒ† ‡‡”‰› management, facility professionals should seek out industry experts ™Š‘…ƒ ‘ơ‡” •—’’‘”– ‹ –Š‡ ˆ‘ŽŽ‘™‹‰ ‡› ƒ”‡ƒ•ǣ ͱǤ ’‡…‹ƒŽ‹•‡† –”ƒ‹‹‰ ‘ –Š‡ ‘•– critical challenges facing building owners and facility managers and the solutions that can solve them ͲǤ  ‘’‡ ‡–™‘” ‘ˆ ˆ‡ŽŽ‘™ facility professionals and system integrators that promotes idea sharing and best practices implementation ͳǤ……‡•• –‘ ‹†—•–”›ǦŽ‡ƒ†‹‰ technology solutions that will drive the future of intelligent buildings In aworld where technology is constantly evolving and creating opportunities for facilities to reach ‡™ Ž‡˜‡Ž• ‘ˆ ‡ƥ…‹‡…›ǡ ˆ—–—”‡ growthwill hinge on specialised knowledge and education. These insights and resources will ultimately help system integrators grow their business and provide facility professionals withmore control over the complete building environment as they create and manage the smart buildings of tomorrow.