Written By: Cleo Cosens
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Cloud based building management solutions and other technologies are transforming the retail building industry. These innovations are helping retailers manage their buildings, improve customer experiences, and optimise operations, amid the increasing pressure to provide an exceptional in-store experience in the face of rising costs to the business. Retailers leverage cloud based building management solutions to create personalised, efficient, and comfortable environments that attract and retain customers. This article explores how retailers can gain a competitive advantage by leveraging these technologies.
Image by Pexels from Pixbay
Create The Perfect Ambience
When it comes to creating an inviting and engaging atmosphere for customers – intelligent lighting offer stores, whether it’s for promotions, seasonal changes, or different times of the day, the ability to customise their lighting to create a dynamic & visually appealing environment to attract and retain customers. In this current business climate, intelligent lighting can also help reduce energy consumption since it can be programmed to turn off or dim when areas of the store are not in use, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly retail operation. By harnessing the power of intelligent lighting, retailers can improve the aesthetic appeal of their stores, drive down operational costs, and improve their environmental impact.
Get Ahead Of Buying Behaviour
Cloud based building management systems offer real-time insights into customer behaviour by leveraging sensors installed around the store to detect movement and presence in certain areas. Real-time data enables retail staff to make more informed decisions about store layout, product placement and adjust staffing levels accordingly. Additionally, occupancy tracking can be used to control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to contribute to energy efficiency and cost-saving initiatives – which is better for the environment and better for their bottom line. Overall, supporting sales targets and enhancing the customer journey.
Optimise Your Space
Leverage sensors and data analytics to understand footfall, occupancy, and energy usage. This information allows store managers to understand their store’s use and identify underutilised spaces. Pulse Systems’ cloud based building management system enables store managers to take action by controlling their space, i.e., adjusting lighting or temperature via their platform. Once the store collects enough data, it can use this information to reconfigure the store layout to optimise foot traffic and, ultimately, increase sales.
Work Smart, Not Hard
The most significant benefit is the ability to have all of your building services in one place. With traditional building management systems, different systems such as HVAC, lighting, and security are often managed separately, making it difficult to get a comprehensive overview of a building’s performance. However, a cloud based building management system consolidates all these services into one platform, providing a centralised view of your entire building. This centralised view makes it easy to promptly identify and address any issues, improving building efficiency and reducing energy costs. With the traction of flexible working, retail managers and HQ can control the store remotely, making it easier to manage.
This Sounds Like An Unprotected, Complicated, And Expensive Process
These concerns can be addressed by carefully selecting the technology provider. When comparing cloud based building management systems, take note of their security protocols. Are they using encryptions or firewalls? When it comes to costs, many cloud-based building management systems are affordable and can lead to significant cost savings in the long run due to reduced energy consumption and improved operational efficiency. The complexity of the installation process is dependent on the provider. If the vendor uses non-intrusive sensors – the set-up can be completed remotely with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations because the system is managed securely through the cloud. Working with a reputable vendor who can provide support and training is important to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.
That’s A Wrap
To conclude, the retail industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with cloud based building management solutions and other technologies playing a crucial role in this change. By leveraging cloud based building management systems in particular, retailers can create an exceptional in-store experience that not only supports sales targets but drives their net carbon zero goals forward. If retailers haven’t already adopted such technologies – the industry will leave them behind.
If you are a commercial building owner or property manager interested in leveraging this technology, let’s schedule a call and find out.
Kevin Davies
Pulse Systems | Managing Director
kevin@pulse-systems.co.uk