The Future of Security and Safety in Commercial Real Estate: 28 Key Technology Trends

1. Deep Integration Between Vertical Transportation and Security

Description: Integrating elevators, escalators, and access control systems provides a 360-degree view of people movement within a building. This comprehensive approach enhances security, optimizes traffic flow, and improves the tenant experience.

Benefits:

• Enhanced security through detailed movement tracking.
• Optimized traffic flow and reduced congestion.
• Improved tenant experience and satisfaction.

2. Integration of Access Control and Video

Description: Combining access control and video into a single unit provides a complete view of entry points. This integration allows for better monitoring and verification of access events, ensuring higher security and efficient incident response.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive monitoring and verification at doors.
• Enhanced security and incident response.
• Simplified system management.

3. Video Analytics

Description: Advanced video analytics enable cameras to understand and report on scenes. This technology can detect unusual activities, recognize patterns, and provide valuable insights for security management.

Benefits:

• Improved security through proactive detection.
• Enhanced operational insights.
• Reduced need for constant human monitoring.

4. Building Oracle AI System

Description: An AI system that consumes all information about a building to provide insights, trends, and risk assessments. It helps security officers and managers make sense of vast amounts of data and identify potential issues before they become problems.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive data analysis and risk assessment.
• Enhanced decision-making capabilities.
• Proactive issue identification and resolution.

5. Single Pane of Glass

Description: A unified interface that lets you see your entire security system, including access control, video, visitors, intercom, employees, and alarms. This comprehensive dashboard simplifies management and enhances situational awareness.

Benefits:

• Simplified system management.
• Enhanced situational awareness.
• Streamlined operations.

6. Data Lake

Description: A centralized repository for all structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data from your security system. This allows for comprehensive data storage, analysis, and long-term retention.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive data storage and analysis.
• Long-term data retention for investigations.
• Improved data management.

7. Mobile Credentials

Description: The use of mobile devices with Bluetooth and NFC capabilities for secure access. Mobile credentials provide convenience and flexibility for tenants, reducing the need for physical cards.

Benefits:

• Enhanced convenience and flexibility.
• Reduced need for physical cards.
• Increased security.

8. Apple and Google Wallet Integration

Description: Integrating mobile credentials and QR codes with Apple and Google Wallets allows tenants to use their smartphones for secure access. This integration enhances convenience and modernizes the access control experience.

Benefits:

• Seamless integration with everyday technology.
• Increased convenience for tenants.
• Enhanced security.

9. DIY Security Administration

Description: Allowing tenants to manage their own adds, edits, and deletes in the security system. This capability empowers tenants, reduces the administrative burden on property management, and ensures up-to-date security data.

Benefits:

• Empowered tenants with control over their security.
• Reduced administrative burden on property management.
• Up-to-date and accurate security data.

10. Advanced Analytics and Reporting

Description: Deep analytics that show trends, return-to-office statistics, and provide comprehensive reporting. Automated reports and dashboards help tenants and managers make informed decisions.

Benefits:

• Enhanced decision-making with detailed analytics.
• Improved understanding of tenant behavior and trends.
• Automated and streamlined reporting.

11. Universal Device Control

Description: A consistent interface for managing all devices, making it easier to learn and use. This approach presents rich data about each device, simplifying management and improving user experience.

Benefits:

• Simplified device management.
• Enhanced user experience.
• Consistent and intuitive interface.

12. Metadata Integration

Description: Combining data from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive picture of security events. Metadata integration helps identify patterns and correlations that might be missed when looking at data sources individually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive view of security events.
• Improved incident analysis.
• Enhanced situational awareness.

13. AI Activity Summarization

Description: Using AI to summarize daily activities and incidents within a building. This technology helps managers quickly understand the key events and trends without sifting through detailed reports.

Benefits:

• Quick and efficient understanding of daily activities.
• Enhanced situational awareness.
• Improved decision-making.

14. Cloud Integration

Description: Bringing all security and operational data to the cloud provides a single source of truth, enhances cybersecurity protection, and ensures reliable backups.

Benefits:

• Centralized data management.
• Enhanced cybersecurity.
• Reliable data backups.

15. Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Description: Using speech and text for system interactions instead of traditional graphical user interfaces. NLP allows for more intuitive and efficient control of security systems.

Benefits:

• Intuitive and efficient system control.
• Enhanced user experience.
• Reduced training requirements.

16. Any ID for Maximum Convenience

Description: Tenants value convenience, and one of the growing trends is the ability to use any form of identification that suits them best at any given moment. Whether it’s a single credential for building and office access or using various forms such as appearance recognition, voice commands, name recognition, QR codes, proximity credentials, Bluetooth credentials, NFC credentials, or PINs.

Benefits:

• Enhanced tenant convenience and flexibility.
• Improved security and user experience.
• Seamless integration with various identification methods.

17. Hands-Free Technology with Face Recognition

Description: Face recognition has proven itself in everyday applications like unlocking smartphones. Its hands-free nature makes it highly convenient and robust, offering a secure and efficient way for tenants to gain access to your building.

Benefits:

• Hands-free, secure access.
• High convenience for tenants.
• Proven, robust technology.

18. Automatic Creation and Management of Photo IDs

Description: The ability to automatically create and manage photo IDs, known as Auto ID, is becoming increasingly important. This technology ensures that accurate images of each person are captured and updated regularly, enhancing security and aiding in investigations. Auto ID can also associate these images with video and other credentials for comprehensive monitoring.

Benefits:

• Accurate, up-to-date photo IDs.
• Enhanced security and monitoring.
• Improved investigation capabilities.

19. Turnstiles and Destination Dispatch Integration

Description: Integrating turnstiles with destination dispatch systems is another trend gaining traction. Turnstiles enforce one credential per person, leading to more efficient elevator assignments. Allowing tenants to select their floor at the turnstile improves the overall flow and reduces congestion in elevator banks.

Benefits:

• Improved elevator efficiency.
• Reduced congestion.
• Enhanced security through controlled access.

20. Floor Selection at Turnstiles

Description: Allowing tenants to select their destination floor at the turnstile itself streamlines the process, ensuring that elevator assignments are optimized without the need for additional steps once inside the elevator bank.

Benefits:

• Streamlined elevator assignment process.
• Reduced wait times.
• Improved tenant experience.

21. AI Configuration, Monitoring, and System Health

Description: AI can configure systems more consistently than technicians, based on data rather than guesswork. Continuous monitoring and refinement replace the traditional one-and-done approach, identifying anomalies and taking proactive measures.

Benefits:

• Consistent, data-driven system configuration.
• Continuous improvement and optimization.
• Proactive identification and resolution of potential issues.

22. Location Estimation

Description: Knowing the precise location of individuals within a building for remote elevator calls, life safety, and mustering. It ensures individuals are close enough to elevators when calling them and helps during emergency evacuations.

Benefits:

• Accurate remote elevator calls.
• Enhanced life safety and mustering.
• Improved situational awareness and security.

23. Shift from CPU to GPU-Based Video Recorders

Description: Transitioning from CPU-based to GPU-based video recorders to leverage AI, analytics, and parallel processing capabilities. GPUs are better suited for analyzing and understanding video content.

Benefits:

• Enhanced video analytics and AI capabilities.
• Improved processing power and efficiency.
• Better video content understanding and insights.

24. General Trend for Mobility and Responsive Design

Description: Enabling users to access and manage security systems from any device, anywhere, at any time. Content scales automatically to the device in use, providing a seamless user experience.

Benefits:

• Increased flexibility and mobility.
• Seamless access to security systems from any device.
• Enhanced user experience with responsive design.

25. Integration with Tenant Engagement Apps

Description: Simplifying integration with third-party tenant engagement apps through robust RESTful APIs and comprehensive documentation. Ensures smooth and effective integration.

Benefits:

• Easy integration with tenant engagement platforms.
• Improved tenant interaction and satisfaction.
• Streamlined processes and enhanced functionality.

26. Video Content Analysis and Analytics AI Pipelines

Description: Utilizing AI pipelines to analyze and interpret video content, providing insights such as object detection, counting, and access control. Converts video data into actionable information.

Benefits:

• Enhanced video analysis and insights.
• Automated decision-making and reporting.
• Improved security and operational efficiency.

27. Elevator Performance Monitoring

Description: Monitoring various elevator performance metrics such as acceleration, top speed, vibration, and door operations. Ensures elevators operate smoothly and identifies potential issues early.

Benefits:

• Improved elevator performance and reliability.
• Early detection of potential issues.
• Enhanced safety and user experience.

28. Video, Voice, and Text Intercom for Emergency Communications

Description: Providing two-way communication that is also transcribed in real-time to text for accessibility. This system is essential for emergency communications inside elevators, complying with legal requirements in some regions and enhancing overall safety.

Benefits:

• Enhanced emergency communication.
• Compliance with legal requirements.
• Improved accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Investing Wisely in Security and Safety Technologies

Investing in these trends not only enhances security and safety but also positions your property as a leader in technological innovation. Here are some key considerations for making wise investments:

1. Understand the Technology: Stay informed about the latest advancements and understand how they can benefit your property and tenants.
2. Invest in Core Technologies: Focus on technologies that offer the most significant impact and can evolve over time.
3. Budget for Upgrades: Allocate funds annually to ensure your systems are up-to-date and capable of meeting future needs.
4. Choose Scalable Solutions: Opt for solutions that can grow with your property and adapt to changing requirements.