Smart Building

Welcome to the connected building
  • Solves problems
  • Saves energy, time and money
  • Is flexible and adaptable
Test it live now! Discover use cases

All about a Smart Building in 33 seconds

By definition, a Smart Building is an office building that is intelligently networked and digitalized using state-of-the-art technology, allowing functions to run automatically. The goal of this networking is to increase comfort, optimize space utilization, and reduce energy consumption. With Smart Building solutions, you enable your employees to be more creative and efficient in the workplace – benefiting your entire company. In today's work environment, employees expect their workplace to offer maximum creativity and flexibility to work productively and efficiently. In a Smart Building, employees find exactly these conditions: Here, various applications are networked and coordinated to make working as comfortable, efficient, and safe as possible.

The Smart Building offers you further application possibilities in various forms: Information & communication, intelligent bookings, indoor navigation & positioning, access control, building functions (& well-being automation), intelligent building management as well as digital service requests & feedback buttons.

Continue reading here, learn about the possibilities, and convince yourself of the numerous additional applications and advantages of the Smart Building.

The Smart Building will
revolutionize your way of working.

Discover the transformative power of our solutions that turn conventional office spaces into smart square meters – an impressive testament to FORTÉ's innovative strength. Our counter reveals that we have already made 550,000 square meters smart. With intelligent technologies, we optimize space utilization, increase energy efficiency, and sustainably improve the user experience. Our transformations create workplaces that foster creativity and productivity, meeting the requirements of the modern working world. Start your own transformation today and benefit from the diverse possibilities of an intelligent work environment.

Ultra-modern with LoRaWAN

FORTÉ has developed a modern room management solution for Landmarken AG. Room booking and control were optimized with iBeacons, LoRaWAN sensors and an intuitive app. Dashboards make it easy to monitor room occupancy and energy consumption.

To the project ➜

Work environment now digital

Together with Thing Technologies, FORTÉ is digitizing part of the new Hamburg campus as a system integrator. Can you work better in a smart building? An innovative working environment is being created here in which users can work digitally and effectively without unnecessary complexities.

To the project ➜

WiredScore Platinum Certification

In 2021, the focus was on digitalization and we were allowed to participate: Thanks to FORTÉ and Thing Technologies, The Oval is now not only the most digitized building in Düsseldorf, but also has sustainable features and its own Workplace Experience app.

To the project ➜

  • Access Control
  • IndoorNavigation
  • RoomControl
  • SmartLocker
  • Point of Interest

One Smart Building App, endless possibilities

The digitalization of offices into Smart Buildings offers companies numerous advantages and application possibilities. You should always ask yourself what goals you hope to achieve by implementing the Smart Office. Are your ESG goals defined? After all, only then can the right strategies be derived and the necessary technologies determined.

  • CostsSaving
  • FaultMngmt.
  • Parking spaceMgmt.
  • RoomBooking
  • FeedbackButton

Smart Building: From simple office building to Zero Energy Building

Climate change, increasing CO₂ emissions, and the Paris Climate Agreement are urgently compelling us to act. One measure to prevent the climate catastrophe is the so-called zero-energy building. These Zero Energy Buildings are properties where external energy consumption is offset by their own energy production. This applies not only to private households but also to commercially used buildings. The digital transformation of office buildings significantly contributes to meeting the energy standard of a Zero Energy Building.

However, the use of various smart building solutions not only saves energy: Space optimization also ensures lower rental costs. With the help of various booking systems, you can also coordinate the utilization of different office spaces, meeting rooms and even workstations to guarantee optimal use. Are you planning a smart building for your existing property or a new build? At FORTÉ, we can advise you on which smart building solutions are suitable for your building. Talk to us!

Smart Building Brochure

Are you still not quite sure what Smart Building means for your new working world? Innovation always needs some explanation – what's the purpose behind it, what do I get out of it? How does it all work anyway?

What does a
Smart Building actually cost?

The actual costs you can expect for implementing a Smart Building depend on various factors and differ from project to project. Nevertheless, we would like to give you a guide: For investment costs in Smart Building software and hardware, real estate developers should calculate approximately €100 per square meter. These costs are pure additional investments for extra features of building technology, IoT sensors and a Building Operating System.

It is important to distinguish between costs that arise directly from the implementation and those that must be incurred regardless. An example: An access control system is purchased. Normally, Bluetooth control via smartphone would not be necessary. For a Smart Building, however, this feature is very attractive. The basic costs for access control therefore do not fall into the business case. The additional costs for the Bluetooth interface and any licenses are considered in the Smart Building costs. By integrating ESG concepts, the sustainability and efficiency of the Smart Building can be improved.

The Investment in Smart Building and ESG Solutions Will Pay Off

Investments in a Smart Building pay off for various reasons – both for owners and tenants of the zero-energy building. The former benefit from higher cold rent as well as increased property value. The latter, on the other hand, save on ongoing costs while optimizing their space utilization and the well-being of their employees.

From our project experiences and various public sources, the following values can be derived for the business case: For energy efficiency, savings of 0.2 to 0.3 € per square meter per month can be realized. The advantages for better space utilization are usually around 30 percent. This means that companies either need 30 percent less space or can occupy the existing space with 30 percent more employees. For a 1,000 square meter area and a gross rent of 15 € per square meter, this results in savings of 4,500 € per month. Based on these figures, it quickly becomes clear: Investing in a Smart Building is worthwhile and should be considered for every professional new construction today.

You're not sure which Smart Building applications are suitable for you? You need an overview of your costs and structures? Book our exclusive Smart Building Check-up now! Included: detailed consultation, development of application recommendations, and a final evaluation including service protocol and ESG support. Afterwards, you'll know exactly which use cases are suitable for you and how you can utilize your building or office most effectively.

  • Our Top Offer
  • No contract duration
  • Service protocol included

Now only 199 € net

Test it live now

Here you can find more resources!

If you would like to delve deeper into the topic, you can find more informative and readable texts in our newsroom.

Would you like to know
more details?

As one of the pioneers in the field of Smart Building, we often receive interesting questions about Smart Office, such as: What exactly does a Smart Office cost, or are Smart Office and Smart Building actually the same thing? Here we answer the most frequently asked questions briefly and concisely - so you can join the conversation right away!

Can smart building solutions also be implemented in existing buildings?
Smart building solutions are not only suitable for new buildings. Building automation and the installation of IOT sensors are also possible for existing properties. In this context, we talk about retrofitting, i.e. retrofitting an existing space with smart building solutions of your choice. However, we sometimes use other technologies in retrofits in order to avoid major structural measures (e.g. wireless and radio technologies). Talk to us, we will be happy to help you!

When is the right time to plan a smart building for a new build?
In the case of a new building, the planning of a smart building should take place in parallel with the building's structural measures. In order to set the course for building automation, we recommend a close exchange with the architect of the property. The advantages of a smart building for a new construction are obvious: all digitalization measures can be taken into account directly during construction. This means we can dispense with wireless sensors and offer you an even more elegant solution. Here too, however, it's not just about the hardware installed; the software also plays a central role in the planning of a smart building (keyword: digital twin).

What does a smart building cost?
The cost of a smart building depends on the requirements. The more smart building solutions are implemented in the building, the more expensive the implementation becomes. The planning and design depends on the selected use cases. Thanks to our modular approach, even smaller implementations are already possible. At FORTÉ, we have the necessary planning expertise to work with you to determine which use cases make sense in your case - just contact us, we're here to help!
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

What smart building solutions are available and how are they controlled?
The range of smart building solutions for building automation is growing and growing. We are on hand to advise you in the jungle of possibilities: tell us your requirements for your property and we will show you what is possible. Today's smart building solutions range from access control and indoor navigation to room control. All elements of room control, such as lighting, blinds or air conditioning, can be controlled individually. We often work with an app-controlled system. Integration into Office 365 is also possible. The assignment of rights is very gradual and you decide which people have access to what.

How is smart building defined?
By definition, a smart building is an intelligent building with state-of-the-art technological equipment. Three factors are generally taken into account when designing a smart building: Energy saving (keyword zero-energy building), utilization optimization and user experience. The entire building is digitized on this basis. In contrast to the so-called smart home, these are commercially used properties and not residential buildings.

How much can be saved with a smart building?
You can save money by digitizing your building! The biggest items affected by this are rental costs and energy costs. This is because we can uncover unused potential by optimizing space. We are guided by the 3-30-300 rule (from JLL), which puts the costs of rent, utilities and salary in relation to each other. Digitizing your property into a smart building has another advantage: thanks to the transformation of your building into a zero-energy building, you are setting a good example in terms of energy savings in the face of advancing climate change!

What about IT security and data protection in a smart building?
When planning a smart building, IT security and data protection are top priorities. The app used to control the smart building solutions complies with the latest legal requirements and is GDPR-compliant. The Workplace app, which is available for both iOS and Android, does not evaluate any user-related data from your employees. All data is anonymized. We can also assure you that we take the protection of privacy seriously when it comes to the critical issue of positioning: Users can activate and deactivate their position in the building independently.
Sterne

The team loves it!

We used to have a traditional office - everyone was there at nine in the morning and then we "worked" more or less concentrated into the evening. Today, our employees no longer sit around working themselves to death. With the flex-desk function, a workstation can be booked individually and according to your own needs. By the hour, by the day or, if desired, by the week. At the same time, a parking space is reserved in the underground garage and, if required, a meeting room is set up to suit. This means meetings and formal exchanges in the office, concentrated work in the home or mobile office. For us, this means Flex-Desk. Flexible and individual. Just as we have always wanted!

This is how modern work is done!
Team feedback at FORTÉ

Schedule a Smart Building App Demo Now

Convinced? Perhaps you're still missing some crucial information? And how much does a Smart Building cost anyway? Let's clarify these questions in a personal conversation - or you can test it live right away!