At Planon, we are immensely proud to be recognized by market analyst Frost & Sullivan for global Customer Value Leadership in the IoT-driven building energy management industry.
Frost & Sullivan's recognition prompted me to write this reflection on the transformational shifts currently reshaping the building management industry, due to rapid innovation. For many organizations, the key challenge lies not in adopting new technologies, but in turning them into real business value. Read on to explore how innovation, when applied effectively, can deliver measurable impact.
The IoT-Driven Building Energy Management Industry
Frost & Sullivan’s recent research into the building energy management industry reveals a market undergoing transformational change. Technological innovation and the growing urgency of energy efficiency are identified as key drivers. Among the most significant developments are AI agents, intelligent automation, and decarbonization imperatives, all of which are accelerating advancements in smart building operations.
Emerging technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Agentic AI offer significant opportunities to make buildings more efficient, responsive, and people-focused. For example, IoT sensors can detect real-time occupancy and automatically adjust heating or cooling in unoccupied areas, reducing energy waste in unused spaces. This level of insight helps managers avoid the common issue of cooling entire empty floors overnight. At the same time, Agentic AI is enabling facilities teams to shift from being reactive to proactive—predicting equipment failures, optimizing space utilization based on actual usage patterns, and enhancing security through intelligent data analysis and automated access control.
Driving Cost-Efficient Building Operations
The industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation. While AI continues to capture the attention of the tech world, most organizations must first overcome foundational challenges, such as data availability, data quality, and data security, on their path to achieving cost-efficient building operations. Despite all the external uncertainties affecting the sector, cost efficiency remains a fundamental and enduring driver behind the digitalization in the built environment.
Delivering Tangible Business Value
Technology and data-driven investments are increasingly delivering measurable business value. For example, according to sources such as the U.S. Department of Energy, digital transformation can reduce a building’s energy consumption by up to 30%.
Facilities management software that leverages real-time data can significantly optimize building operations and reduce costs. At Planon, we offer a comprehensive suite of solutions for smart building management. However, the smart building landscape is broad and complex, with a multitude of PropTech vendors. This is where customer value truly differentiates.
Beyond innovative features, organizations often prioritize intuitive user interfaces, ease of deployment, and partnership. Customer value is closely tied to the overall service experience. For Planon, this includes expert industry advice, ongoing collaboration, and well-established feedback mechanisms throughout the customer journey.
Recognized for Customer Value Leadership
With more than 3,250 organizations relying on us globally, Planon is honored to be seen as a trusted partner in the digital transformation of buildings. We remain deeply committed to helping our customers navigate their journey towards smarter, more sustainable operations.
To close, I’d like to quote Frost & Sullivan:
“As businesses tackle energy efficiency and sustainability challenges, Planon leads the way with scalable, data-driven solutions. Their open platform integrates energy, real estate, and ESG strategies—powering the next wave of digital transformation.”
Thank you again to Frost & Sullivan for this distinguished recognition!
Interested in Frost & Sullivan’s analysis and the award criteria? You can read the full report here.