Power over Ethernet technology in corporate real estate has been saved
What is Power over Ethernet technology?
Power over Ethernet is an access-layer technology that uses standard cabling to transfer data and electricity to a powered device. In 1997, Power over Ethernet was initially able to deliver 15.4 watts of power per port—with the technology evolving over time to supply more power per port. In 2018, standards to deliver up to 90 watts of power per port was developed, known as “4PPoE Type 4,”—allowing businesses to power a whole new set of devices. This was a game-changing opportunity for building owners, engineers, and facilities teams. Initiatives to support more than 100 watts of power per port are underway, which will continue expanding the portfolio of technologies Power of Ethernet infrastructure can support.
Why is it critical in corporate real estate?
Corporate real estate executives today not only face a myriad of challenges—they’re increasingly tasked to better monitor and reduce their carbon footprint as stricter sustainability reporting requirements loom. With these pressures to identify cost-reduction opportunities and minimize energy consumption—while creating an appealing office environment—CRE leaders are considering underlying building and facility technologies in new ways. Power over Ethernet represents a revolutionary advancement in facilities infrastructure that can help navigate enterprise financial, technology, and sustainability objectives while providing a contemporary workplace experience across offices.
A focus on energy
Increased complexity in sustainability reporting requirements and the focus on green initiatives have caused executives to reexamine and reprioritize their energy consumption. New rules will require certain companies to disclose scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions.
- For scope 2 emissions—indirect greenhouse gas emissions generated from purchased electricity and other utilities—in particular, Power over Ethernet technology allows executives to uncover significant efficiencies.
- An easy entry point into Power over Ethernet technology is LED lighting systems, which can be powered through an interconnected network that combines sensors, automation, and analytics.
- Sensors may also be integrated into light fixtures to collect anonymized data on space utilization as an added benefit.
- Power over Ethernet technology also allows employees to tailor lighting to their preferences and manage lighting levels with workplace apps on their mobile devices. Executives can also monitor and sustain control of the energy consumed by lighting across their office spaces.
Learn More in the full part 1 of our “Power over Ethernet: The future of connectivity” series.
Laying the groundwork for a digitally enabled workplace
Power over Ethernet technology has gained traction with real estate executives and facilities leaders who understand its central role in enabling smart buildings and connected workplaces. Power over Ethernet can be a vital piece of the puzzle when considering opportunities for reduction in long-term operational costs of a real estate portfolio. It’s become a key instrument in providing a sustainable, differentiated workplace experience across offices through the myriad of connected devices comprising a power PoE ecosystem.
An employee-centered workspace
Power over Ethernet facilitates the full integration of technology within the office environment, spanning office infrastructure, fixtures, furniture, and office equipment.
- This capability not only meets and sustains the workforce’s preference for sophisticated “smart” office features but also allows data from the same devices to inform how space planners consider future workplace investments.
- Where floorplan flexibility is paramount, Power over Ethernet technology is often a differentiator. Furniture configurations are easier to update and more customizable. Power over Ethernet technology also allows floorplans to be more compact, enabling businesses to precisely tailor workspace layouts to optimize the composition of individual focus areas, teaming spaces, and conference rooms—empowering organizations by significantly reducing the dependency on traditional wiring constraints.
Streamlined facility management
Power over Ethernet technology reduces the complexity of electrical infrastructure needed to power workplace technologies and offers countless other operational advantages.
- Power over Ethernet technology minimizes the need for traditional power outlets throughout a facility and the associated electrical junction boxes, conduits, and wiring.
- Power over Ethernet technology can reduce the cost required to extend and sustain the existing power infrastructure as office needs change. For office managers, a simplified delivery model saves both time and money. Devices can be added or removed without costly network expansions, extensive electrical rewiring, or reconfigurations. Fewer specialized skills are necessary for installation and upkeep.
- Power over Ethernet technology paired with Internet of Things (IoT) devices drives additional efficiencies by turning each connected asset into a smart device. With the integration of power and connectivity into a single system, problems are easier to diagnose and troubleshoot. Analytics dashboards generated by IoT technologies may point to the problem immediately, or even before it happens, and can reduce the time and cost associated with issue resolution and downtime assets.
- Power over Ethernet technology allows network administrators to manage the connected ecosystem, reboot devices, and cycle power to individual ports. Administrators can reset devices remotely through centralized power management without physically accessing a malfunctioning or unresponsive device.
Learn More in the full part 2 of our “Power over Ethernet: The future of connectivity” series.
A central strategy for leaders and the workplace of tomorrow
Continued innovations in Power over Ethernet IT network infrastructure have resulted in an expanding set of PoE-enabled technology assets and a growing list of use cases and solutions. Applications spanning smart lighting, security, conference rooms, and building controls make Power over Ethernet a versatile and indispensable technology for the next wave of smart workspaces.
How Power over Ethernet technology matters for CRE executives
Power over Ethernet technology allows businesses to quickly scale connected workplaces, integrating more devices and services with greater flexibility as executives increasingly focus on efficiencies across their real estate portfolios. Executives are focusing on how they can enhance both operational efficiency and interconnectivity through real estate technology. By consolidating power and data transmission into a single ethernet cable, Power over Ethernet technology can reduce costs, heighten office layout customization, and improve the functionality of commercial properties.
Implementation: Keys to success
- Executive education, interest, and support: Achieving alignment across the leadership team is crucial for successfully adopting and implementing PoE-enabled systems. The decision to leverage Power over Ethernet technology as a backbone to powering facilities infrastructure should align with the company’s broader business vision, technology roadmap, and general philosophy on data, insights, cybersecurity, and automation. Leadership support plays a crucial role in reducing barriers to interdepartmental collaboration that may be needed to realize the potential of Power over Ethernet technology infrastructure fully.
- Cost to implement: When considering Power over Ethernet as a foundation of workplace technology infrastructure, executives must first and foremost analyze the cost implications and the underlying business case. Weighing the upfront costs against the potential long-term savings, increased employee satisfaction, and enhanced productivity that Power over Ethernet technology can offer is crucial.
Power over Ethernet will require integrating both IT and operational technology (OT) budgetary considerations due to the increasingly intertwined nature of these systems. Executives should ensure that this investment aligns with the company’s strategic and financial goals and does not negatively affect the operational budget. Organizations should also consider the availability and cost of external support services for Power over Ethernet technology systems, especially if the in-house team lacks expertise in this area. - Employee support for data collection: Gauging employee sentiment regarding sensors in the workplace is also essential. Consumers are increasingly sensitive to privacy concerns, especially when technology is leveraged to track their preferences and behaviors. Just as executive leadership must understand the benefits and solutions Power over Ethernet technology can provide, the broader workforce must also be educated on how Power over Ethernet IT infrastructure provides a differentiated workplace experience, such as heightened productivity, greater work point individualization, and a reduced carbon footprint.
- Skill sets to maintain the infrastructure: A key consideration is the capabilities of facilities management teams to effectively manage and maintain Power over Ethernet technology within the broader IT and OT portfolio. Executives need to assess whether their current resources have the necessary skills to support these technologies, being mindful that providing targeted training opportunities or evening hiring internal or third-party resources may be required. The integration of Power over Ethernet with existing network infrastructure and the management of potential cybersecurity risks are also critical factors to consider when evaluating the current capabilities of the technology support organization.
- Long-term consumption of enriched data and insights: Introducing Power over Ethernet technology, particularly in combination with data from upstream sensors and IoT or OT devices, requires careful planning. Executives should consider the training and support necessary for legacy stakeholders to leverage the enriched datasets and insights that Power over Ethernet technology can provide. In addition to formalized employee change-management initiatives, executives should invest in tools that exploit efficiencies that may be realized by integrating with existing applications within the broader facilities ecosystem.
Learn More in the full part 3 of our “Power over Ethernet: The future of connectivity” series.