Author: Enric Paradela Delgado, Workplace Experience & Technology Manager at Macro.

Macro’s Smart Building Platform: Technology in Action

As facilities management enters a new era, Macro’s smart building solution is designed to deliver the intelligence, agility, and efficiency today’s organisations demand.

Our bespoke platform combines IoT, AI, and digital twin technology to transform how buildings are managed - making operations more proactive, sustainable, and people-focused.

Modular, Scalable, and Secure IoT Architecture

At the heart of our solution is a modular, scalable architecture built on LoRaWAN® (Long Range Wide Area Network) technology. Our suite of mostly battery-powered sensors collects and transmits meaningful data from every corner of your facility, from office spaces to critical environments like data centres.

This sensor-agnostic approach, enabled by our global technology partners, ensures we can tailor solutions to each client’s unique needs and remain at the forefront of innovation.

Key Use Cases: Real-World Impact

1. Predictive Maintenance

• Vibration and temperature sensors monitor the health of critical assets - HVAC units, pumps, motors enable early detection of anomalies and proactive maintenance.  We have seen particular interest in this technology within manufacturing and retail environments where downtime of assets could heavily impact on production or sales activities.
• Water management sensors automate leak detection and remote pipe flushing, reducing manual maintenance and travel costs.
• Soil moisture sensors optimise grounds maintenance, integrating with irrigation systems to reduce water consumption.

2. Demand-Driven Smart Cleaning

• Sensors in washrooms and kitchenettes track usage patterns, allowing FM teams to optimise cleaning schedules and maintain high hygiene standards with greater efficiency.

3. Occupancy and Space Utilisation

• People counters and occupancy sensors provide granular insights into how spaces are used, from overall building headcount to specific meeting rooms and desks.
• Real-time office mapping helps employees find available spaces, enhancing productivity and collaboration.

Points 2 and 3 are our most popular deployment from sensor technology. Recently, reduced reduce cleaning cost by 21.5% for a [sector] client's HQ in London by simply doing an analysis of building occupancy fluctuation across weekdays and adjusting cleaning services accordingly.

4. Indoor Environmental Monitoring

• Sensors track air quality, temperature, humidity, and noise, supporting employee wellbeing and compliance with health standards such as WELL.
• Environmental monitoring in data centres and warehouses ensures safety and regulatory compliance.

A popular option among our corporate clients, we have already delivered numerous projects across Europe, implementing smart solutions in workplace environments such as meeting rooms and open offices, as well as in server and IT rooms to support proactive maintenance and health & safety practices.

Research shows that high CO₂ levels can cause headaches and reduce cognitive function by up to 50%, while low humidity (around 20%) increases the transmission of viruses. Temperature and noise are also proven to directly impact productivity and performance. By monitoring these parameters, workplace managers can safeguard wellbeing, boost productivity, and ensure compliance. In addition, automating HVAC and lighting through motion and presence sensors helps reduce wasted energy in unused spaces, driving both efficiency and sustainability.

5. Energy Management

• Advanced metering and sub-metering provide real-time and historical usage data, supporting efficient resource planning, bill validation, and waste reduction.
• Smart HVAC controls and TRVs adjust heating and cooling based on occupancy, cutting energy consumption without sacrificing comfort.

For the same smart technology deployment at our London client’s headquarters, analysis of sub-metering and occupancy data revealed more than 50% wasted gas consumption. By leveraging these insights, we were able to make targeted adjustments to the Building Management System (BMS) settings, using automation and data-driven decision making to optimise energy use, cut waste, and improve overall efficiency.

The Digital Twin Advantage

Our digital twin platform transforms raw sensor data into actionable insights:

• Real-time dashboards visualise live data across systems and sites.
• Custom alerts and notifications ensure rapid response to anomalies.
• Automated reports summarise key performance metrics and compliance status.
• Heatmaps and spatial analytics highlight underutilised or problematic areas.
• AI and machine learning forecast equipment failures and usage patterns for strategic planning.

Rapid Deployment, Low Maintenance

• Plug-and-play integration: Devices are pre-configured and seamlessly connected to the digital twin platform, accelerating value delivery.
• Battery-powered sensors: Most devices offer up to 10 years of battery life, minimizing maintenance.
• Flexible network setup: Secure LoRaWAN® infrastructure can be customized to client IT preferences, with options for LAN/Wi-Fi integration.

Enabling Digital Transformation in FM

Macro’s smart building solution is more than a technical deployment - it’s a strategic enabler for digital transformation in facilities management. By delivering predictive maintenance, resource optimisation, and healthier environments, we empower organisations to make informed decisions, drive sustainability, and enhance the experience for both occupants and operators.

Ready to see what intelligent FM can do for your business?
This article is the third in a four-part Smart Buildings content series, including a virtual webinar being hosted on Tuesday 30 September 13:00 BST.

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