The expert panel
- Lucas Shi, Managing Director, Global Sustainability, CBRE
- Daniel Hosko, Commissioning Manager, Aero Performance Group
- Justin Lia, Co-President & Chief Growth Officer - Pond, Robinson & Associates
- David Walsh, CEO and Founder, CIM
Transcript
Welcome & Introduction
Jim:
Hello, and welcome to today's webinar, hosted by CIM. I'm Jim McClelland, founder and editor of Sus Meme, and I’ll be your moderator today. In the next hour, we’ll explore how AI analytics software drives smarter, more efficient buildings.
Our four expert panellists today are:
- Lucas Shi, Managing Director of Global Sustainability at CBRE
- Daniel Hosko, Commissioning Manager for Aero Performance Group
- Justin Lia, Co-President & Chief Growth Officer at Pond, Robinson & Associates
- David Walsh, CEO and Founder at CIM
Our format today will start with a quick introduction to building analytics by David, then we’ll dive into the benefits, challenges, and future of analytics software. We'll wrap it all up with final takeaways and some live Q&A from our audience. Please feel free to submit questions throughout the webinar using the Q&A function, and we’ll address as many as we can.
What is building analytics?
Jim:
Now, to kick things off, I’ll hand it over to David to give us an introduction to building analytics software.
Dave:
Thanks, Jim. Let's dive into what building analytics is and how it works. At CIM, we’ve developed a system that collects data from all points within a building’s network—everything from HVAC to lighting, water, energy, and even foot traffic. The key components are Collect, Monitor, Improve, and Benchmark. Once we collect the data, we clean and analyze it using AI, and create workflows that improve operational performance.
The ultimate goal is to ensure buildings operate as efficiently as possible. By identifying inefficiencies in real-time, AI allows building managers to take action and prevent issues before they become costly problems. The technology also makes life easier for both technical and non-technical users by providing clear, actionable insights.
Panel discussion: Benefits and value of building analytics
Jim:
Thanks, David, for that excellent overview. Let’s dive into the panel discussion. I’ll start with Lucas—what value does building analytics offer to property portfolios?
Lucas:
From a sustainability perspective, building analytics unlocks three key benefits:
- Energy optimization: We’ve seen up to 8% reduction in utility costs by leveraging fault detection and diagnosis, and pairing it with condition-based maintenance.
- Predictive maintenance: By monitoring buildings remotely, we reduce truck rolls and dispatches by 60%, and speed up issue resolution.
- Enhanced occupant comfort: AI helps us optimize thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort, which is increasingly important for tenant satisfaction. As we continue to move toward net zero, these benefits become critical for both operational savings and meeting sustainability goals.
Jim:
Thank you, Lucas. Justin, how about from a consultant's perspective—what benefits have you seen building analytics software provide to your clients?
Justin:
Analytics software helps building engineering teams identify problems sooner and solve them faster. It also elevates the technical skills of facility management teams, especially as the industry faces a brain drain. With fewer engineers entering the field, the ability of AI to monitor and alert on issues 24/7 is invaluable. It’s similar to how machine control has helped the construction industry. AI allows engineers to focus on strategic decisions instead of repetitive tasks. For building owners, this technology helps drive operational efficiency and prove value to investors.
Jim:
Daniel, how about you? Since integrating analytics software into your offering, what have been the key benefits for Aero?
Daniel:
Before these tools, we had to manually review data, often using Excel, which was time-consuming. Now, with building analytics software, we can quickly standardize and normalize messy data, making it usable in a fraction of the time. This allows us to scale operations and deliver high-quality results much faster. The software also helps us identify energy-saving opportunities and streamline processes, which is invaluable for both us and our clients. It’s not just about getting results faster—it’s about improving service quality and doing more with less.
Jim:
Great points. Dave, anything to add from CIM’s perspective?
Dave:
What’s been surprising is the response from the supply chain. Mechanical contractors, for example, now use the software to help them prioritize tasks and fix issues more efficiently. With real-time data, they can walk into a building and immediately see what needs fixing, rather than guessing. It creates a more collaborative environment between all parties involved and ensures that everyone can stay on track and deliver results for the building owners and tenants.
Challenges with operationalizing and how to overcome them
Jim:
Justin, in your experience, how do you overcome client resistance to building analytics technology?
Justin:
Commercial real estate has been slow to adopt new technology. The key is client education. Start by listening to the client’s problems and understanding their specific needs. It’s essential to find the right champion within the client’s team—someone who will push the technology forward. In many cases, building analytics solutions show quick ROI, and that’s key to getting clients onboard. It’s also important to emphasize that AI and building analytics aren’t here to replace people; they’re here to help staff make more strategic decisions.
Jim:
Daniel, what do you think are the biggest challenges building owners or partners face when operationalizing building analytics?
Daniel:
One challenge is getting buy-in from all stakeholders involved—IT, finance, building operators, and external contractors. It’s not just about installing software; it’s about aligning everyone to work together. The other challenge is ensuring that the benefits don’t stop after the initial low-hanging fruit is picked. Long-term data collection and maintenance are crucial to avoid drift and ensure sustained efficiency improvements.
Future of analytics software
Jim:
Lucas, what do you see as the future capabilities building analytics software will need?
Lucas:
Clients will demand user-friendly AI that’s capable of delivering advanced energy efficiency and carbon reductions with a faster ROI. The next frontier is making buildings smarter—integrating energy systems, storage, and grid management. Analytics will help buildings be resilient to climate risks while keeping energy costs down.
Jim:
Dave, how do you see building analytics evolving in the next 5–10 years?
Dave:
At CIM, we’re already using AI for data normalization and fault detection. In the future, we’re excited about natural language processing—enabling building managers to interact with the system using conversational language. Imagine being able to ask, “What’s wrong with the building today?” and getting an immediate response. We’re also looking at adaptive controls, where the system can automatically adjust settings based on real-time data, such as foot traffic or electricity prices.
Final takeaways
Jim:
Let’s wrap up with final takeaways. Lucas, what’s your key piece of advice?
Lucas:
Start small. Build success stories early, then scale them up. Early wins are key to engaging others and creating momentum.
Jim:
Justin, what’s your advice?
Justin:
Think big with AI. Don’t just look for incremental efficiency—use AI to solve problems that couldn’t be solved without it.
Jim:
Daniel, final thoughts?
Daniel:
Building analytics is the next step in building operations. It’s going to be in every building eventually, so getting on board early will put you ahead of the game.
Jim:
Thanks to all of our panelists. To our audience, we appreciate your time today. Please fill out the short feedback survey after the session. You’ll receive the webinar recording soon. Keep an eye on CIM’s LinkedIn and email for future sessions.
Thanks again, and we’ll see you at the next webinar.
_____
Note this is AI-assisted, so there may be some minor transcription errors.
