Gaurav Burman, APAC & Vice President, 75F

The Building Automation System Market is expected to grow from USD 75.0 billion in 2019 to USD 121.5 billion by 2024—growing at a CAGR of 10.1 per cent. “The outbreak of COVID 19 has impacted industries world over and the building automation industry too may see a temporary slowdown. However, there is soon going to be a bounce-back in terms of spending as businesses seek better efficiency, improved automation and remote manageability,” says Gaurav Burman, APAC & Vice President, 75F. In an email interaction with CXO Outlook, Gaurav points out that the new world after COVID is going to look for solutions that are more adaptable and versatile, and building automation solutions like 75F would fit that bill. Excerpts.

What is the future scope of Building Automation System Market amidst COVID-19?

Every business, big and small, has been impacted by the global impact of COVID-19, and this has had a cascading effect on workplaces and facilities everywhere. As companies worldwide are gearing up to maintain business continuity through remote working, variable occupancy or social distancing and reduced travel commitments, their workplace needs, and expectations are evolving too.

The new world, when this pandemic is over, is going to look for solutions that are more adaptable and versatile, and building automation solutions like 75F fit that bill. Reduced occupancy in workplaces has facility managers and owners inclined towards technologies that enable building intelligence. They are seeking intelligent automation solutions that let allow them to remotely monitor and tweak building operations, especially for when facility personnel aren’t available for their day-to-day onsite work. We also see an increasing demand for solutions such as space management, occupancy-based control, and indoor air quality management. It helps them to enhance occupant comfort, health and well-being while reducing energy costs dramatically. There will be an overall cut in the amount of travel that is required for businesses, and we believe the world is going to be more accepting of remote management solutions. Companies like 75F are better poised to embrace tech shifts.

We believe the building automation industry is poised to witness accelerated growth in the coming years as building owners and managers prioritize the need to do more with less and leaner building operations and are increasingly focused on occupant health and well-being.

Before the pandemic, the Building Automation System Industry was thriving, what do you see for the industry over the next 18 months?

The outbreak of COVID 19 has impacted industries world over and the building automation industry too may see a temporary slowdown for a quarter or two as customers re-evaluate their operating expenses and priorities. But we believe, there is soon going to be a bounce-back in terms of spending as businesses seek better efficiency, improved automation and remote manageability.

While the demand before the pandemic was primarily driven by rising energy costs, rising level of construction activities, and growing awareness about the benefits of automation, here onwards factors such as the need for remote manageability, operational efficiency, space management, enhanced indoor air quality and improved occupant health and productivity will also contribute to the growth.

Moving forward, what is Building Automation System Industry anticipating for, and how are you preparing for those challenges?

We believe 75F is well-positioned to take part in the recovery and recapture market share. We’re calling this current quarter the Quarter of Leveling Up. We are auditing all our processes and doing spring cleaning on some of our systems that have been left unattended through our flurry of growth spurts.  When the phoenix arises from the ashes, we are going to be much leaner and well-positioned for what we feel will be a perpetually changing business environment.

From a business perspective, we have been working with our customers to better our leverage our solution and adapt it to these trying times. Customers have been able to shut down buildings remotely to save energy, and others have increased indoor air quality by forcing in fresh air without having to send technicians to the site. Some of our customers have been able to leverage remote monitoring and control, making sure that energy costs are dramatically reduced because building occupancy is way down. 75F truly demonstrates the immense advantages of remote management.

We believe systems like ours allow buildings to be more flexible to uncertain conditions like the one we are in at the moment. When we come out of this, we are sure that more people will see our value and how well prepared they could be for various uncertainties.

Air pollution is one of the major concerns in India cities. How is 75F contributing to delivering improved air quality?

The 75F building automation system pays attention to monitoring and maintaining indoor air quality. It’s enhanced by predictive analytics, cloud computing and processing power, 75F’s cutting-edge technology achieves the ideal level of Indoor Air Quality and mixed air temperatures, allowing for maximum comfort at all times. The 75F smart system detects levels of CO2, NO2 and other VOCs in the building and proactively adjusts outside air dampers to maintain air quality at appropriate levels. It reduces the carbon footprint while making the buildings comfortable, automated and extremely smart.

To top it all off, it can help you save up to 50% on your energy costs, with smart, predictive HVAC automation and outside air optimization.

75F claims that its improved IAQ can boost employee productivity up to 8% and can improve cognitive functioning by 61-101%. Could you please explain the role of 75F in increasing productivity? 

Most commercial buildings need indoor air quality improvements. High indoor CO2 and VOC levels are commonly caused by HVAC systems that aren’t optimized as well as cutting-edge building management systems. A predictive, proactive building controls and smart HVAC solution can improve comfort levels and indoor air quality.

Our smart HVAC system can remove hot and cold spots throughout buildings by automatically balancing airflow according to building dynamics and usage patterns. We can predict environmental changes and adapt to their own and account for issues like large windows or varied office sizes.

Smart buildings can sense and manage many of these factors to assure a healthy environment for all occupants. Such a system will allow your building’s system to use live weather feeds to obtain outdoor enthalpy (air energy) data rather than rely on the inaccurate readings produced by a traditional rooftop unit module. Furthermore, wireless sensors throughout your building will monitor CO2, NO2 and CO levels along with indoor enthalpy.

 

More about Gaurav Burman

Gaurav Burman, in his previous position, was with Schneider Electric, as their Director – Marketing where he was also a part of the Management Team of Schneider Electric, South Asia. Gaurav has handled diverse portfolios in his career including product management, alliances, channel sales, and enterprise sales.Prior to Marketing, Gaurav spent 20 years of his life in Sales and worked with companies like PCL, IBM, L&T, APC, and Schneider Electric. He was recently recognized as one of the 50 Most Talented CMOs in India in 2013, and one of the 100 Most Talented CMOs in the World by the US-based CMO Council.Gaurav obtained his Civil Engineering Degree from The Thapar Institute, Patiala. He pursued his MBA in Marketing from XLRI, Jamshedpur.

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