3 Aug. 2023
2021! What a year it’s been.
From enduring and withstanding a pandemic, to returning to work, to adjusting to new technologies and innovations, it’s safe to say that we’ve experienced a lot!
As the year comes to an end, let’s take a look at all of the new technologies and changes that we adapted to…
From digital check-in/check-out options to the ability to pay for all services online, to QR code menus and grab-and-go meals, to even automated Climate Solutions, touchless technologies have a dominant part of 2021!
It may have been hard for us to get used to it at the beginning, but looking ahead to 2022, I think that we can all agree that the accessibility and ease of touchless tech has proven that it is definitely here to stay.
The lack of social contact and need for social distancing created a demand for more technology-driven, virtual experiences and solutions. From VR-focused entertainment to automation strategies to increase productivity, and smart Climate technology, we’ve seen it all!
The rise of predictive maintenance technology has allowed for the automated control of building equipment, creating the ability for simple, remote scheduling of a facility’s capabilities. Automation has made everyone’s life easier, so much so that it’s predicted that by 2025, more than 50 billion devices will be connected to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT),” and that robots, automation, 3D-printing, and more will generate around 79.4 zettabytes of data per year (World Economic Forum).
The pandemic has made indoor air quality control a constant and crucial part of our lives! IAQ sensors have become a key function in residential and commercial buildings. They have made it possible to measure the air quality within and around buildings, ensuring the safety, health, and comfort of every building occupant.
Controlling these common pollutants indoors have helped reduce the risk of indoor health concerns as well as the spread of COVID-19–a win-win!
The second pandemic led to major understaffing issues. Staff and maintenance personnel were sent home countless times due to COVID-19, leaving hotels and other facilities without enough staff to operate. Many employees have made career changes in order to be able to work, thus making them unavailable to return to work – which in turn created a major staff shortage.
The hiring process has become much more difficult for maintenance managers. However, we are hopeful that the worst has passed. The successful reopening of hotels and new innovations has opened the doors for new possibilities. In the meantime, the adoption of technologies can substantially alleviate workloads, turning once manually operated tasks into streamlined automated processes.
In 2020, the coronavirus decimated international travel and brought terms like “Quarantine” and “Social Distancing” into our daily lives. After months of lockdown, the greatest pleasures resulted in simply spending time outdoors and exploring more of our planet.
In terms of travel and hospitality, we witnessed the rise of resort bookings and leisure travel increased immensely. More and more people were looking to relax and get away, with luxury-end resorts performing above 2019 levels!
We also see more and more businesses invest in sustainable solutions. Investors are increasingly driven by environmental, social, and governance-related (ESG) factors, more than ever. In fact, According to a report by the Climate Bond Initiative, “Global issuance of green bonds is on track to reach between $400 billion and $500 billion in 2021, nearly double the record high of $270 billion in 2020, with $54 billion invested in ESG bond funds in the first five months of 2021 alone” (Harvard Law School).
Above all, we’ve learned just how important technology is in preserving the environment. If any trend is here to stay in 2022, it’s definitely going to be all about innovation.
As we look ahead into 2022, we look forward to even more developments, smarter solutions, and newer innovations that will revolutionize commercial buildings worldwide. Contact us to learn how we can help your building, our indoor climate experts are looking forward to speaking to you!