In Part 1 of our proptech series, we learned about the technologies that are making office buildings smart: IoT sensors, artificial intelligence, digital platforms and sustainability solutions . But how are these technologies used in practice? How much of a difference do they really make?
Let's look at the most important applications of proptech in Norwegian office buildings and facility management (FM).
Smart buildings and automation
Modern office buildings are equipped with smart control systems that can automatically adjust lighting, ventilation and heating based on sensor data. When sensors detect that a meeting room is empty, the lights are dimmed and ventilation is reduced. When people return, the environment is readjusted.
This provides better comfort for those working there and reduces energy consumption when the premises are empty. Many office buildings report 20-30% lower energy bills after installing such technology.
Smart office buildings also include:
- Advanced security systems: Camera with AI analysis and access control via mobile app
- Automated services: From reception robots to automatic cleaning
- Integrated management: Everything is managed from one central platform
Predictive maintenance - fix it before it breaks
Traditionally, office building maintenance has been calendar-driven (“we check the elevator every three months”) or reactive (“we fix it when it breaks”). With proptech, this changes to proactive operations.
Sensors on equipment such as elevators, ventilation systems and pumps continuously monitor their condition. AI models analyze the data and can warn before a component fails. For example: increased vibration in an elevator motor can indicate wear, and then the operations department can replace the part before the elevator stops.
The result:
- Up to 50% less unplanned downtime
- 20-25% lower maintenance costs
- Fewer frustrated tenants stuck in the elevator
Smart buildings & predictive maintenance:
Automated lighting, ventilation and heating adjust based on sensor data – while AI models use vibration, temperature and power consumption to alert you to errors before they occur.
Examples: System that dims lights in empty zones, or elevator motor that is replaced before it stops.
Benefit: 20–30% lower energy consumption and up to 25% lower maintenance costs.
Tenant apps & space management:
One app lets employees book meeting rooms, order lunch, and check in guests in seconds. Sensor and booking data shows actual office usage, so the building can be adapted to hybrid working.
Examples: Push notifications about planned maintenance, desk booking that frees up space, live numbers for canteen rush.
Benefit: More satisfied tenants and 10–15% better space utilization
Tenant apps that simplify everyday life
Tenant apps are becoming increasingly common in modern office buildings. They act as a “remote control” for the office building, allowing employees to:
- Book resources: Meeting rooms, workspaces or shared facilities with a few taps
- Order services: Lunch from the canteen, dry cleaning or car wash at work
- Report problems: “Light bulb burned out in meeting room A” or “Projector not working”
- Register guests: Visitors receive a QR code for entry
For landlords, the app provides direct communication with all tenants. Push notifications about maintenance work, surveys about well-being, or news about the office building arrive immediately – no more unread notices on the door.
The digital workplace
- A concise whitepaper with fresh numbers and concrete advice, based on data from 4,500 office workers globally
- In this whitepaper, you will gain insight into what tenants expect from modern office space, and how you as a property manager or service provider can stay ahead of the curve.
Area and capacity management
Hybrid working styles have increased the need to manage space usage smartly. Proptech solutions in space management allow companies to monitor how office space is actually being used.
For example, sensor data may show that:
- Some meeting rooms are almost never in use
- Quiet rooms are constantly busy
- The canteen has rush hours and quiet hours
This information is used to optimize layout, adjust leases, or plan better. Desk manager apps allow employees to book workspace for the day if the company has flexible workspaces, and give management an overview of how many people are actually using the office.
Real estate transactions and administration
Proptech has also changed the way properties are bought, sold and managed:
- Digital marketplaces: Properties can be traded more efficiently online
- AI-based valuation: Automatic valuation tools for real estate agents
- Smart contract management: Digital systems keep track of leases and invoicing
- Due diligence automation: Faster document review for purchases
These solutions make everyday real estate life more streamlined and reduce time spent on paperwork.
Norwegian proptech players deliver globally
Norway has established itself as a significant player in proptech, with several companies delivering solutions in use worldwide:
Established successes
Airthings (Oslo) : World leader in IoT sensors for indoor climate and air quality in office buildings
Spacemaker (now part of Autodesk) (Oslo) : AI platform for building optimization, sold to Autodesk for billions
Growing players
Izy (Oslo) : Holistic platform that brings together all office building services – from meeting room booking to AI-powered canteen payments – in one solution
PowerPal (Stavanger) : Smart energy management that optimizes power consumption and reduces emissions
Carrot (Bergen) : Motivates tenants to better recycle through real-time data
These companies show the breadth of Norwegian proptech – from hardware and sensors to AI and digital platforms.
Proptech as a competitive advantage
For farm owners and facility managers, proptech means access to a toolbox of digital tools that can:
Cut costs: Lower energy bills and maintenance costs
Increase revenue: Satisfied tenants who renew contracts
Improve service: Faster response to problems and better communication
From nice-to-have to must-have
Proptech is applied throughout the entire property lifecycle – from planning and construction to operations and service. What was once a “nice to have” has now become a necessity to compete in the property market.
In the next part of the series, we look at a concrete example: How the Norwegian company Izy has brought together proptech principles into one comprehensive platform.
Read more about Proptech and Izy in part 3 .
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