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Facilities managers across the UK are under growing pressure to deliver buildings that perform better, cost less to run and provide a superior experience for occupants. The rise of smart building technology has given owners and operators access to advanced tools that make these goals achievable in ways that traditional approaches cannot match.
Johnson Controls’ OpenBlue platform demonstrates how the right investment in technology can generate measurable savings and long‑term business value. A Forrester Consulting Total Economic Impact™ study commissioned by Johnson Controls in April 2025 found that OpenBlue delivered up to 155% ROI for a composite organisation, highlighting the transformative potential of integrated building solutions.
Below we explore four key areas where OpenBlue creates quantifiable benefits for facilities teams.
1. Cut energy costs with real‑time intelligence
One of the most powerful advantages of OpenBlue is its ability to provide real‑time visibility into energy consumption. By analysing data from multiple sources across a property portfolio, the system identifies inefficiencies and waste. This enables operators to take targeted action, achieving savings of up to 10% according to the Forrester study.
For example, OpenBlue can detect unusual usage patterns such as lighting left on after hours, which can cost thousands of pounds per floor. Addressing these issues quickly reduces unnecessary expenditure and supports energy efficiency goals.
Insights from high‑performing sites can also be replicated across the wider estate to maximise cost savings.
2. Improve maintenance strategies and minimise downtime
Smart building technology is not only about energy. OpenBlue also transforms maintenance by shifting from reactive, calendar‑based servicing to proactive, condition‑based care. With continuous monitoring of critical assets such as chillers, facilities teams receive alerts when intervention is genuinely required.
This approach reduces unnecessary service visits and lowers costs. The Forrester study found that organisations could cut chiller maintenance expenses by 67% simply by moving from monthly to quarterly servicing, equating to nearly £1.2 million in savings over three years.
3. Optimise workspace utilisation and reduce property costs
Real estate represents one of the largest overheads for many organisations. OpenBlue Workplace provides detailed insights into how office space is actually used, enabling data‑driven decisions about consolidation and reallocation.
By identifying underutilised owned space and redeploying it to replace rented offices, organisations can achieve significant savings. Forrester reported leased real estate reductions of 21.9%, equating to millions in avoided costs. With hybrid working now the norm, OpenBlue helps businesses adapt their portfolios without compromising growth or employee experience.
4. Increase asset value and attract premium tenants
For property investors and developers, OpenBlue offers a competitive edge. By supporting smart building and sustainability certifications, it enhances asset value and market appeal.
The Forrester study found that OpenBlue contributed 60% of the certification criteria needed for the composite organisation to secure rental premiums averaging 8% for smart building certification and 4% for green certification. This translated into £2.5 million in additional profit over three years.
Shaping the future of facilities management
As expectations around building performance continue to rise, adopting smart solutions like OpenBlue is no longer optional. By combining real‑time data, advanced analytics and intelligent automation, facilities teams can achieve substantial savings, improve operational resilience and deliver a better occupant experience.
Forward‑thinking organisations are already using OpenBlue to transform their approach to building management, positioning themselves as leaders in efficiency, sustainability and innovation.