Artificial intelligence might be the buzzword on every boardroom whiteboard—but before your building can harness AI, there’s a foundational step that can’t be skipped:
You need to own your data.
Sounds simple, right? But for many property owners and operators, the answer to this core question is murky at best.
As Peak Property Performance puts it:
“Do you own and control the data generated by your physical and digital systems? If the answer is No, we don’t own the data—then who owns it?”
If you don’t own it, you can’t access it.
If you can’t access it, you can’t use it.
And if you can’t use it—someone else probably is.
“If you’re not monetizing your data, then someone else probably is.”
Why Data Ownership Matters—Right Now
The reality is that much of the data generated by your building—from HVAC systems to occupancy sensors to access control—might be locked behind vendor walls. It’s often stored in third-party platforms, managed by service providers, or fragmented across disconnected systems. That makes it hard to tap into, let alone use strategically.
But this data has value—significant value—and not just in obvious ways.
According to Peak Property Performance:
“Data access can drive significant value in unexpected ways. For instance, data from your access control system could provide insights about space utilization and whether tenants might pay a premium to access that space.”
That same data could help you:
- Optimize cleaning schedules based on real occupancy
- Reduce utility costs by adjusting temperatures in underused areas
- Enhance tenant experiences by understanding peak usage times
And once you start using the data, AI can elevate it.
What AI Needs: Clean, Connected, Controlled Data
Artificial intelligence thrives on data—but not just any data. AI needs:
- High-quality inputs
- Unified sources
- Clear ownership and access rights
Once in place, AI can begin to uncover patterns, predict needs, and streamline operations.
“Artificial intelligence takes this a step further, continuously refining our data quality, uncovering efficiency gains, and improving offerings to tenants.”
But insights are only powerful when they’re shared clearly and acted upon. That’s where visualization and communication tools come in:
“The key is translating these insights from blended data sources into tangible operational improvements. This requires clear communication of recommendations to teams and executives, using data visualization tools that make complex information easily digestible.”
From Insight to Impact
If you’re looking to implement AI, start by asking:
Do we truly own our data, and can we use it?
Because if the answer is no, AI can’t help you.
But if the answer is yes, you’re on the road to:
- Smarter decisions
- Streamlined operations
- Stronger tenant satisfaction
- And ultimately, peak property performance
Explore these ideas further in Peak Property Performance—a must-read for modern property leaders who want to move from reactive management to proactive growth.