The future of SaaS and Smarter Buildings

There’s been a lot of hype recently about Microsoft CEO comments on how AI could make the existing SaaS model obsolete. What does this mean for the built environment and our journey to smarter buildings? Here is my take:

- The existing SaaS landscape is becoming exponentially crowded and complex and will become obsolete. "Traditional procurement models can't keep pace with dynamic trends"

- There needs to be a layer of intelligence and automation that enables buildings to know what digital capabilities they need and when they need them for a particular business need

- A centralised AI building agent will give new meaning to the term "Smart Building." A Smart Building will know what data flows through the building, what data is collected, how that data is being managed, what analysis is being performed, and what actionable insights are being delivered in real time

- A Smart Building will quickly identify what digital capability gaps exist for a business need. It will automatically source, procure, and integrate the necessary digital capabilities when required. This will not mean relying on a particular vendor or a specific solution. It means using a digital capability that is compatible with that building for a particular need for that moment in time.

There are still many steps on the road before we get Smart Buildings that are truly dynamic, responsive, and intelligent however we are much further along the road than you might think. Data, analytics and AI are already being used by the industry to identify the optimal digital ecosystem for buildings. 

What are your thoughts? Are you seeing similar trends in the built environment? I'd love to hear your perspectives on how AI could redefine the SaaS landscape for smart buildings.