Optimise Building Operations for Greater Efficiency

Facilities managers across the UK are under increasing pressure to improve building performance, reduce operational costs and create better experiences for occupants. With the rapid growth of smart building technologies, owners and operators now have access to digital tools that make these goals far more achievable than in the past.

OpenBlue, Johnson Controls' smart building software suite, demonstrates how the right technology investment can deliver measurable financial and operational benefits. A commissioned Forrester Consulting Total Economic Impact™ study by Forrester Consulting in April 2025 found that OpenBlue delivered up to 155% ROI for a composite organisation modelled in the research.

Below, we explore the four quantified benefits in more detail.
 

1. Use real-time insights to cut energy costs
    

One of the most powerful advantages of adopting a smart building platform such as OpenBlue is the ability to monitor energy use in real time. By analysing data from multiple systems across a facility, OpenBlue highlights inefficiencies and areas of unnecessary consumption. According to the Forrester study, this data-driven approach can help organisations reduce energy costs by up to 10%.

For instance, OpenBlue can detect unusual consumption patterns, such as lighting or HVAC systems running outside normal operating hours. Issues like out-of-hours lighting can cost thousands per floor each year. By identifying and addressing these anomalies quickly, organisations can significantly reduce waste and improve overall energy performance. Insights from top-performing buildings can also be replicated across an entire estate to drive consistent savings.



2. Streamline maintenance and minimise equipment downtime
    

Smart building technology does more than reduce energy use. It also transforms maintenance strategies. OpenBlue provides continuous visibility into the performance of critical assets such as chillers, enabling a shift from reactive, schedule-based maintenance to proactive, condition-based servicing.

Rather than paying for routine monthly checks, organisations can rely on OpenBlue to monitor equipment health and alert teams when intervention is genuinely required. The Forrester study found that moving from monthly to quarterly chiller servicing reduced maintenance costs by 67%, generating nearly £1.1 million in savings over three years.



3. Maximise space utilisation and reduce real estate costs
    

Beyond energy and maintenance savings, OpenBlue can help organisations reduce their real estate footprint by improving space utilisation. By tracking how employees use workspaces, organisations can make informed decisions about consolidating underused areas.

OpenBlue Workplace identifies owned spaces that are not being fully utilised and enables organisations to reassign employees who may previously have been based in leased offices. Forrester found that this strategic consolidation resulted in 21.9% savings on leased real estate, equivalent to over £2.5 million in present value over three years.



4. Increase asset value and attract premium tenants
    

For real estate investors and developers, OpenBlue offers another compelling advantage: enhanced asset value. By using OpenBlue to achieve smart building and sustainability certifications, properties can differentiate themselves in a competitive market and attract tenants willing to pay a premium for advanced digital features and environmental performance.

In the Forrester study, OpenBlue contributed 60% of the criteria required for the composite organisation to achieve smart building and green certifications. These certifications supported rental premiums of 8% for smart building status and 4% for green certification, resulting in over £2.3 million in additional profit over three years.

Investing in smart building technology not only strengthens asset value but also supports broader sustainability and net zero ambitions.
 

Embrace the future of building management systems

As facilities management continues to evolve, organisations across the UK are increasingly turning to smart building platforms to modernise their operations. Johnson Controls OpenBlue represents a new generation of building management technology, bringing together connected systems, real‑time data and AI‑driven intelligence to create environments that are healthier, more efficient and more resilient.

OpenBlue is designed as a complete ecosystem, combining software, services and connected technologies to optimise every aspect of building performance. By integrating data from across assets, people and processes, the platform provides a unified view of how a building is operating at any moment. This allows facilities teams to make faster, more informed decisions and to automate many of the adjustments that traditionally required manual intervention.

A key strength of OpenBlue is its ability to continuously read what is happening inside a building and adapt systems accordingly. Whether it is adjusting ventilation to maintain indoor air quality, fine‑tuning temperature settings to improve comfort or optimising energy use to reduce carbon emissions, OpenBlue works in the background to keep buildings performing at their best. This dynamic, self‑optimising approach helps organisations reduce operational costs while supporting their sustainability and net zero ambitions.

Cybersecurity and data privacy are also built into the foundation of the OpenBlue platform. With a privacy‑by‑design architecture and zero‑trust cybersecurity principles, the system protects sensitive building and occupant data while enabling secure integration between IT and operational technology. This gives organisations confidence that their digital infrastructure is robust, compliant and future‑ready.

OpenBlue’s capabilities extend far beyond energy and equipment performance. The platform supports four core pillars that are increasingly important to UK organisations:

• Energy efficiency and sustainability
  Digital tools track, analyse and optimise energy use, helping organisations cut emissions and accelerate progress towards net zero.

• Space, wellbeing and productivity
  Insights into occupancy, air quality and environmental conditions help create workplaces that support health, engagement and productivity.

• Operational efficiency and equipment performance
  Smart facility management tools improve consistency, reduce risk and extend the life of critical assets.

• Security, safety and compliance
  Integrated systems enhance protection for people and property while simplifying compliance with regulatory requirements.

Forward‑thinking organisations are already using OpenBlue to transform their building management strategies. From commercial offices to public sector estates, the platform enables teams to operate more efficiently, respond more quickly to issues and deliver better experiences for occupants.

By embracing OpenBlue, organisations position themselves at the forefront of innovation, ready to meet the challenges of modern facilities management and unlock long‑term value across their building portfolios.

Find out how OpenBlue can benefit your business by clicking here.