Authored by James Dice and published by Nexus Labs in July 2022, this white paper highlights the disparity in digital systems adoption within commercial buildings. It outlines the challenges of siloed systems in complex structures, emphasizing proprietary control and limited interoperability. The paper explores the growth of IoT sensors, the increased smartness of traditional devices, and the rise of IP addresses. It proposes an Independent Data Layer to support diverse smart building applications, fostering independence and interoperability. The paper concludes with a call for upskilling among consulting engineers and building owners to foster industry growth.

Keywords: Building Retrofits, Cloud & Data Analytics, Construction/New Buildings, Data Networking, Intelligent Building, Internet of Things (IoT), Large Building Controls/Automation, Protocols/Standards, System Integrator, IoT Sensors, Independent Data Layer, Fragmentation, Overlays