Breaking Property News 21/05/25
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.
Welcome to the first instalment of a 52-week exploration into the intersection of data and digital infrastructures, tenant experience, and operational performance in commercial real estate.
Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR & Editor of Proptech-X – ‘Over the past nine years I have worked 1:1 with over 160 founders and CEO’s of companies grappling with the challenges and opportunities that new technology is bringing to the global real estate sector, the plan, sale, lease and management of property assets, the things we live in and the things we work in.
Some years ago I started working with Bill Douglas and his company Opticwise, and to me he is a true visionary understanding that more revenue and more profit can be driven if you dare re-imagine how the component parts of an operating system can be better aligned to serve all stakeholders. And I am very proud that Bill has entrusted me and my publications and network with the distillation of many years of work – that he now wishes to share in his own words with anyone who has an interest in commercial real estate, and wants to de-risk their operations. Please do make direct contact with Bill as he has my full endorsement.’
Introduction
‘Hello, I’m Bill Douglas, CEO of OpticWise, where we help property owners turn their digital underlay into a strategic asset. This series is inspired by insights from my book, Peak Property Performance: Game-Changing AI and Digital Strategies for Commercial Real Estate (Fast Company Press, June 2025), and is designed to help CRE leaders better understand how to drive NOI, improve tenant satisfaction, and future-proof their portfolios. Each week, I will unpack practical steps, real-world case studies, and key concepts shaping the new era of digitally driven intelligent buildings.
Week 1: The Invisible Assets: Data and Digital Infrastructures
In commercial real estate (CRE), traditional assets like square footage, location, and curb appeal have long driven value. But there’s a critical asset hiding in plain sight: digital infrastructure. Often misunderstood or delegated to third-party vendors, digital infrastructure is what connects your building’s operations to your tenants’ and your employees’ daily lives. It includes analog and digital operations systems, boundless/private/secure internet, IoT systems, smart building controls, and the data network underlay that powers them all. Increasingly, this infrastructure is not just operational—it’s financial.
Why CRE Owners Can’t Ignore It Anymore
As AI adoption, hybrid work models, and tenant digital expectations escalate, buildings with outdated infrastructure are falling behind. Lack of digital ownership leads to:
– Missed revenue from technology services sold to tenants
– Lower tenant satisfaction and lease renewal rates
– Operational inefficiencies and increased expenses from disconnected systems
– Inability to harness operations data for efficiency improvements such as energy optimization or predictive maintenance
A New Model for Value Creation
OpticWise works with owners to implement a Building-of-Things® platform, transforming digital infrastructure from passive activity, traditionally considered an expense item, to an active profit center. By owning and aggregating the complete network layer (ie digital infrastructure), owners can:
– Generate new recurring revenue streams
– Improve NOI through operational savings
– Control the digital tenant experience
– Build data-driven insights into operations and capital planning
3 Steps to Get Started
- **Clarify** – What comprises our digital infrastructure? Who owns it and the data it generates?
Clarifying your digital infrastructure—and the data it generates—involves thoroughly checking all physical and digital systems within your property. This process goes beyond identifying traditional assets like HVAC and security systems; it also encompasses newer technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smart systems, advanced energy management systems, and so forth. The goal is to create a clear picture of your entire technology ecosystem.
- **Connect** – How are our various networks and systems currently connected? How can we streamline this to increase efficiency and reduce expenses?
Connecting all your digital assets (software, hardware, and data sources) is akin to creating a digital backbone for your property—a singular, interconnected infrastructure that ensures everything is aligned, connected, and working together efficiently. Leverage Data and Digital Infrastructure Prioritization tools to prioritize your initiatives.
- **Collect** – Where is our data, and who controls it?
Collect all your property data in a single location that you own and control. Leverage the CRE “triangle offense”—process, people, and technology—and collect these pieces into a winning strategy. Cultivate a data-driven culture that permeates every level of your company, and discover the importance of data ownership, ensuring you maintain control of your most valuable assets.
Closing thoughts
The invisible asset is only invisible until you know what to look for. Over the next 51 weeks, we’ll unpack how AI, managed and unmanaged networks, operating platforms, data and digital infrastructures, and resilience planning intersect to define the future of CRE performance. Your building is more than steel and glass—it’s a digital opportunity waiting to be owned.’
Andrew Stanton Executive Editor – moving property and proptech forward. PropTech-X
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