by Rob Murchison

Did You Know That Americans Spend More Time Inside Buildings Than Some Whale Species Spend Underwater?

In fact, humans spend 90% of their time indoors, relying on commercial buildings to work, play, shop, store, heal, and relax. Yet, despite how central these environments are to our daily lives, many of the buildings we occupy are aging—with the average commercial building in the U.S. now over 52 years old. (See APPA post on Productive Smart Buildings.)

This aging infrastructure places increasing pressure on facility managers, who are responsible for maintaining environments that must meet modern demands for comfort, safety, and sustainability. As the buildings age, so do the systems that keep them operational, creating complex challenges. Facility managers are tasked with optimizing operating costs, enhancing tenant experiences, and reducing carbon emissions—all while working with tighter budgets and outdated infrastructure.

Despite their increasing responsibilities and vital role in our daily lives—some might even argue that they are more important than our family doctors—facility managers often go unappreciated. They tackle complex problems behind the scenes, ensuring our environments are comfortable, safe, and productive, even though many of these spaces were designed for a different era.

The Real Issue? It’s Not Recognition, It’s Complexity.

Commercial real estate (CRE) is evolving rapidly, and decarbonization mandates are adding new layers of complexity. Today’s facility managers must juggle rising costs, tenant comfort, and an ever-shifting technology landscape—all while aligning with sustainability goals. Add to that the pressure from higher interest rates, escalating labor costs, and supply chain disruptions, and you’ve got a perfect storm of challenges.

We Are Amid a Building Revolution.

The push for smarter, more efficient, and sustainable buildings isn’t slowing down, and facility managers are at the heart of this transformation. However, many are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the high expectations set by building owners. It’s not for lack of effort—they are often caught in a web of systemic challenges, including insufficient training, overly complex technologies, and incentives that don’t always align with the building owner’s goals.

Despite these obstacles, facility managers continue to do their best with the tools they’re given, often feeling like they’re expected to deliver results with one hand tied behind their back.

How can they measure, manage, and optimize what they can’t fully see or trust?

As Peter Drucker wisely said, “What gets measured gets managed.” Still, without accurate data and the right training and support, even the most skilled facility managers struggle to deliver the outcomes they know are possible.

Are The Current Technologies In Your Building Posing A Liability?

Existing building technology is too often seen as a liability rather than an asset. When systems fail to deliver expected results, facility managers are left making reactive decisions, which only add to long-term operational complexity and costs. Decisions are sometimes made hastily, driven by corporate pressures, only to find that the new technology creates just as many issues. And with building system manufacturers pushing upgrades to meet profit goals, the real problem—such as heat transfer through the building envelope—can be overlooked.

The Solution? A Deeper Understanding of Your Building’s EXISTING Tech.

One key to solving these challenges lies in fully understanding your building’s existing technology. Instead of treating technology failures as symptoms, it’s time to address the root cause. Gaining visibility into every system, data point, and device that impacts your building’s performance is not just critical—it’s essential for building safety. As built environments increasingly rely on cyber-physical systems, safeguarding digital and physical infrastructure becomes paramount. Without this foundation, facility managers are left reacting to problems rather than preventing them.

CRE owners and operators must identify, connect, and safeguard their building’s technology, regardless of its type or age. By utilizing the right services, you can comprehensively understand your building’s tech ecosystem, trust the data being received, and, with the help of your facilities team, make informed decisions to optimize performance and reduce costs.

Let’s solve these hidden challenges together and create win-win outcomes for everyone involved—from facility managers to tenants to owners.

Take action today—by understanding and securing your building’s technology, you can shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive operational excellence. The time to start is now.