Accelerating Smart Building Adoption: ABB’s Roadmap to Affordable, Interoperable Solutions

Smart devices are now mainstream, with forecasts predicting 20 million units by 2020. Over the past five years, ABB’s Building Products division—under the leadership of Managing Director Oliver Iltisberger—has evolved from simple thermostats and smart bulbs to fully intelligent buildings that adapt to occupants’ needs. Yet many still believe that smart building technology is prohibitively expensive or too complex to implement.

These misconceptions are obstacles we must overcome. ABB has pioneered digital solutions, launching more than a thousand new products in the last half‑decade, and our mission is to keep these innovations future‑ready, cost‑effective, and transparently beneficial.

To meet tomorrow’s demand, the industry must prioritize solutions that are both easy to install and intuitive to use. Connected devices empower users to monitor and update building systems from anywhere—anytime—via handheld or mobile devices. This is a key advantage we need to highlight.

Adopting a Holistic View

Smart buildings must be viewed as integrated ecosystems. With over 70 % of the global population expected to live in cities by 2050, we must harness IoT and smart technology to create uniform, high‑quality solutions that enhance occupants’ lives while reducing environmental impact.

Energy‑centric businesses—solar, storage, electric vehicles—must transition to comprehensive energy‑management systems that also address comfort, security, and safety. Clear communication of these life‑enhancing benefits to specifiers, installers, and consumers will drive adoption.

By 2022, the number of interconnected devices is projected to reach 33 billion. As communication costs fall, new applications will become both feasible and affordable, fueling smarter building growth.

Evolving Consumer Expectations

Demand for consumer electronics is exploding, and the same urgency now exists in the B2B sector. Smart technology is no longer a luxury—it’s becoming a standard expectation, especially among younger generations. This shift drives retrofit demand in older buildings, a market ABB is actively addressing through global educational initiatives.

Smart solutions also offer robust energy‑management capabilities, enabling up to a 50 % reduction in energy costs through automation. This dual promise of cost savings and sustainability resonates with both current and future building owners.

Upskilling the Workforce

To capture rising demand, installers must become ambassadors for smart technology. ABB’s training programs—both in‑person and online—focus on the essentials of smart building systems, delivered via mobile‑friendly guides and interactive courses. Our global network of over 100 specialist engineers supports hands‑on and classroom training worldwide.

The newly launched Connect Partner Hub is an online portal that facilitates collaboration among professionals, sharing best practices and accelerating industry knowledge.

Promoting Interoperability

Interoperability is critical. Aligning devices, sensors, and platforms across manufacturers ensures seamless operation, predictive maintenance, and global control from any location. ABB’s unified digital offering, ABB Ability, spans device, edge, and cloud, creating a common framework that empowers users to know, do, and achieve more together.

By championing these principles, ABB is shaping a future where smart technology is accessible, efficient, and transformative for generations to come.

Author: Oliver Iltisberger, Managing Director, ABB Building Products