The world of building management systems is changing rapidly as automation tools link up with the Internet of Things. Nowhere are future trends of BMS software more evident than in Europe, where popular developments can often indicate the direction that the rest of the global market will go in the coming years.

With that in mind, we look to research on the BMS and BAS markets in Western Europe for signs of what to potentially expect soon in the U.S. The future of buildings, according to those recent studies, will offer radical improvements for energy efficiency and convenient, cloud-based control. Let’s take a closer look.

European Trends Show the Future of Building Management Systems

A Future Market Insights report offered a multitude of specific takeaways in its analysis of the BAS industry in Western Europe from 2024-2034. Among the changes we’re seeing in technology are:

• “Rising demand for open source and interoperable building automation systems.”

• The development of “more sophisticated” sensors, “improved communication protocols,” and “enhanced data analytics capabilities”

• “Increasing emphasis on creating environments that prioritize occupant comfort, health, and well being.”

• A notable “shift towards BaaS models, where building services are offered on a subscription or pay per use basis,” which gives businesses the freedom to “access advanced building technologies without significant upfront investments.”

These trends are echoed by similar findings in research from Mordor Intelligence, which found considerable growth in demand for interoperability between different building installations — heating, ventilation units, chillers, etc. — and the standardization of their communication protocol. These demands align with a parallel trend towards increased integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices with BMS software.

What Trends Are Influencing Demand For Smart BMS Solutions? 

According to a pulse check of the European market at the close of 2023, the factors driving growth in the BAS market in 2024 and beyond are “increasing awareness about energy conservation, government initiatives promoting sustainable practices, and the rising demand for smart and connected buildings.” This means that facility managers are not simply viewing the BAS as a control solution, but as an ally in strategic optimizations.

The report from Future Market Insights (referenced above) notes that “the countries in Western Europe have been actively promoting energy efficiency in buildings to reduce carbon emissions.” Building automation systems in particular are set to play a crucial role in energy usage optimization. However, their most important finding with regard to trends influencing demand is this one:

“The integration of Internet of Things and cloud based technologies in building automation systems allows for more flexible and scalable solutions. The trend facilitates remote monitoring, data analytics, and real time decision making, contributing to the growth of the industry.”

Controlling building systems from the cloud opens up myriad opportunities for cities, buildings, and companies seeking enhanced operational efficiency, occupant comfort, and overall building performance.

Cloud-Based Building Management Systems Offer Highly Demanded Benefits

The research, taken as a whole, highlights the potential of emerging cloud-based facility management software — especially when paired with an open communication protocol like BACnet. A BACnet-enabled, cloud-based BMS offers the enticing combination of a BaaS billing model, improved interoperability, and the ability to fully leverage remote building control capabilities.

With the use of a cloud-based building management system, technicians and service providers can now make preparations for a service call remotely before traveling to the site. Smart tools and remote building analytics help the service team to find out whether parts are needed before even before making the trip to the location. The result is increased efficiency and more responsiveness.

Technology in general is moving towards simplicity and automation (as witnessed in the explosion of Generative AI across many industries), so these developments also follow broader tech trends. For any service provider of building controls or facility manager, modern BAS platforms offer the chance to streamline control, access more data-driven insights, and improve overall resource utilization. 

If you’re interested in learning more about modern, cloud-based building management systems like ODIN, connect with our team today.