In this session, Peter Costanzo, Director, ROI Consulting Group, provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of smart sensors in the facility management market, using many case studies and real-world examples. By familiarizing themselves with the available sensors their potential applications, facility managers can better understand the opportunities offered by smart buildings and the Internet of Things (IoT).

IoT sensors detect facility issues analogous to a car's check engine light. These sensors come in a variety of forms and in many types of products, including access control biometric devices, water sensors, beacons, pest control traps, and occupancy sensors. Sensors communicate in different ways, for example via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks, and gateways.

Converting a building to a "smart" facility can be daunting. Costanzo uses a case study involving a consulting project with a large insurance carrier to showcase the practical application of sensors in optimizing workspace layouts and validating shared space models. He advocates for pilot projects before full-scale implementation to assess the effectiveness of different sensor types.

Implementing IoT has a measurable return on investment and Costanzo provides simple ways facility managers can get started. Significant savings can be found when using smart technology for life safety, leak detection, and energy management.