CoreNet Global New York City Chapter (CoreNet NYC)hosted itsTechnology Community Event – Trailblazing Tech: Turning Data into Insightson Thursday, March 1, 2018. The presentationfeatured insights from subject matter experts Scott Evans, Chief Operating Officer at Related Companies’ Hudson Yards; Edward V. Piccinich, Chief Operating Officer at SL Green’s One Vanderbilt; Steve Lefkowitz, Vice President, Global Facilities Management at Time Warner Inc.; and Ross Guttler, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships with Delos.
Informed Planning for a Data-Led Environment
The discussion explored technology opportunities at the urban level, presented by Related Companies’development at Hudson Yards; thebuilding level,offered by SL Green’s One Vanderbilt development; thecorporate level, discussed with Time Warner and theirfuture occupancy at 30 Hudson Yards, and at the individual level from Delos,highlighting the human experience of occupants.
Today, smart building technologies collect data on how the workplace is being used, and from sensor enabled lights to desk reservation systems, companies have more office space information at their fingertips than ever before. Evans emphasized, “We need to think about how we’re going to plan for the future, be relevant in our technology selections, and more importantly, future-proof those selections to maintain a data-led environment.”Piccinich followed up on this idea, commenting that, “by calibrating collected data with scientific evaluation, the CRE industry can determine its level and what it means to the entire grid. We’verecognized there’s a lot of information coming out of these buildings – historically we just used them as independent islands – tomorrow we’re really going to get our arms around this and understand its overall value.”
Applying Data
Elaborating on Time Warner’s decision to design and construct a smart building within the Hudson Yards complex, Lefkowitz said, “When it comes to the user experience, general concepts and strategies that we’re going to bring forward are sticking with proven enterprise technologies and platforms and fostering a flexible work environmentby continuing to migrate toward cloud-based services.”However,the importance of the user experience was most strongly accentuated by Guttler’s presentation on the impact of the environment on an individual’s health.
Guttler began by delineating steps in gathering data insights: it’s not just determining what data to collect, where and how you collect it,but analyzing the quality of that data and how effectual. If it is effective data, what then do you do with it? Guttler continued, “What are the changes we’re looking to effect with this data, and you think that would be the end, but then you actually have to figure out an implementation plan?”
To substantiate the impact data can have, Guttler cited the design of casinos, noting everything from the light, the pattern of the carpet and the sound of the machines are intended to make you gamble more.“Why can’t we use the intelligence people put into designing a casino and apply it to your office?” he asked. He took this a step further by then asking, “What do you think is the biggest determinant of health? Some say genes, others might say great doctors. In reality, your physical and social environment is 70 percent of what determines your health.”
About CoreNet Global New York City Chapter
CoreNet Global New York City Chapter’s mission is to advance innovation and professional development for the corporate real estate sector, and to serve as a thought leader and forum for current industry issues. The organization’s more than 800 members represent corporate end-users and service providers from New York’s largest publicly-held companies at the forefront of real estate planning, development and innovation, including Fortune 500 companies generating over $1 billion in annual revenue. For more information about the CoreNet Global New York City Chapter, visit http://corenetnyc.org.
