How Interconnectivity Drives Efficiency, Safety, and Sustainability in Modern Workplaces

Adrian Kimberley of COPA-DATA

In today’s digital era, the phrase ‘smart building’ is often used, but what truly makes a building ‘smart’? It comes down to purposeful data visualisation—collecting information only when it serves a clear, actionable purpose. Each organisation must ask, ‘why’ it needs the data, and that reason will vary.

It’s Personal

IBM’s pioneering work at Hursley House offers a compelling example. By linking the building’s lighting and heating systems to the internal meeting calendar, rooms remained unlit and unheated when unoccupied. IBM also integrated local weather forecasts into the heating algorithm, allowing the system to anticipate temperature changes and optimise energy use. As Adrian Kimberley, COPA‑DATA UK’s regional manager, notes, the goal is obvious: save energy and reduce operating costs.

The Office

From smart plugs that record energy consumption to automated shutdowns that prevent idle computing, the office environment presents abundant opportunities for interconnectivity. Sensors can monitor water usage, HVAC performance, and security status, all feeding into a unified dashboard. The real value lies in aligning this data with business objectives—whether that’s cost reduction, enhanced security, or a commitment to sustainability.

Critical Applications

While preventing a single empty room from consuming power is beneficial, some sectors demand far greater precision. In pharmaceutical and biomedical facilities, a smart building can be a matter of life and death. Sensors that detect compromised bio‑hazard seals, pressure differentials, or gas leaks can trigger immediate alerts, safeguarding personnel and product integrity. In such contexts, the benefits of smart technology transcend energy savings.

Leverage the Cloud

Industrial automation platforms like COPA‑DATA’s zenon centralise vast streams of building data, but the next logical step is to scale that visibility. Integrating cloud services—such as Microsoft Azure—provides a secure, remote‑access layer. Employees can retrieve real‑time dashboards, alarm logs, and trend reports from smartphones, tablets, or smartwatches, all through a single cloud‑based interface.

Thinking Big

Smart technology’s potential extends beyond a single site. Organisations are now deploying interconnected solutions across multiple buildings and geographic locations, forming the backbone of future smart cities. Gorenjske Elektrarne, a Slovenian renewables firm, exemplifies this trend. By connecting 23 photovoltaic plants, 15 hydroelectric sites, and three combined‑cycle facilities nationwide through zenon and Azure, the company now enjoys instant remote monitoring and control. This unified view not only enhances safety but also improves operational reliability and energy management.

The Core Motivation

Whether the aim is heightened safety, reduced energy consumption, or a stronger environmental footprint, the underlying principle remains the same: purposefully connect and visualise data to unlock actionable insights. Such intelligence networks benefit businesses, the planet, and staff alike.

COPA‑DATA, founded in 1987, is a global leader in ergonomic, high‑performance process solutions. Their zenon platform delivers HMI/SCADA, dynamic production reporting, and integrated PLC control from headquarters in Austria and offices worldwide. Zenon is distributed directly and through partners across Europe, North America, and Asia.

The author of this blog is Adrian Kimberley, regional manager at COPA‑DATA UK