Dive Brief:

• Intel announced Thursday that it has made its new building management system, the Intel Building Management Platform (Intel BMP), available to customers.

• The company said the Intel BMP targets small and medium-size buildings, allowing them to become "smart and connected" via a system of sensors that can send data to the cloud or onsite servers. Traditional BMS typically serve large buildings and have therefore been out of reach of these consumers, primarily due to their price, according to Greentech Media.

• Intel said that its BMP would give building owners energy savings and efficiency, as well as a better experience for their residents or commercial tenants. The price is expected to be less than $1,000.

Dive Insight:

Intel BMP lowers the cost of entry into the world of automated energy systems and the Internet of Things for building owners that can neither afford nor do they require systems designed for larger, more complex buildings. Greentech said Intel likens the system to a Wi-Fi router that connects all the energy-saving gadgets like wireless thermostats and sensors, as well as HVAC systems and other energy-related devices, allowing the owner of smaller buildings to better manage their energy use. 

This system is on a much smaller scale than the BMS that the developers of One World Trade Center, in New York City, utilized. The 104-story tower has environmental sensors throughout the structure that transmit energy-use and air-quality information to a centralized system, which then regulates mechanical systems for maximum efficiency, based on room occupancy. In addition, the building has Variable Voltage Variable Frequency elevators, which generate energy from their braking systems.

Whether the BMS is large or small, these systems are serving the needs of a market that is expected to skyrocket 34% by 2021 to $24.73 billion, up from $5.73 billion this year. Driving the growth is a demand for Web-enabled products and systems integration — at the level of an individual residence, commercial building or even an entire city. In the case of the latter, the Obama Administration recently invested $80 million in smart city technology. White House officials said that the financial support fell in line with its Smart Cities Initiative, which promotes improvements in city living conditions across all socioeconomic classes.