How Internet of Things (IoT) impacts real estate

01 Apr 2019 CW Staff

“IoT and data-driven decision-making technologies such as artificial intelligence are making buildings more intuitive and sustainable,” observes Thanik B, Director, Product Management, Digital Energy, Schneider Electric India.

While the market for IoT-enabled solutions for all types of housing is still at a nascent stage, Pramoud Rao, Managing Director, Zicom Electronic Security Systems, affirms that Zicom has evolved from being a product company to IoT-based security services, in keeping with his belief that “connected, intelligent homes will be the future norm”.

Zicom has introduced a host of IoT-based subscription monitoring services, which have considerably brought down the cost of security. For instance, ATM e-surveillance has reduced the cost of security from Rs 40,000 per month to just Rs 4,000. Zicom’s subscription-based security services cover ATMs, gold loan companies, commercial establishments, senior citizens, children, assets, etc.

Also, “technology advancements that have enabled security solutions to be deployed on the same broadband fibre network as Internet-based televisions and CCTV cameras have reduced the cost of deploying security products by 25-30 per cent,” says Pithawalla.

Solutions aside, materials that enhance security such as bullet glass and laminated glass are considerably cheaper than they used to be, observes Dikshu C Kukreja of C P Kukreja Associates. “By embracing the wide array of available security technologies, architects needn’t restrict their design,” he adds. “They must just ensure that they integrate technology in such a way that it doesn’t become an eyesore.”

For the best outcomes, Srikanth Srinivasan, President - Procurement, Puravankara suggests security technologies be customised to suit the needs of individual projects.

- CHARU BAHRI

A newer technology powering security in real estate is the Internet of Things (IoT), “the concept of putting any device that can have an address, on the Internet, to take commands from a remote location,” to quote Mehernosh Pithawalla, Vice-President and Global Head, Marketing, Sales & Innovation, Godrej Security Solutions. “IoT and data-driven decision-making technologies such as artificial intelligence are making buildings more intuitive and sustainable,” observes Thanik B, Director, Product Management, Digital Energy, Schneider Electric India. While the market for IoT-enabled solutions for all types of housing is still at a nascent stage, Pramoud Rao, Managing Director, Zicom Electronic Security Systems, affirms that Zicom has evolved from being a product company to IoT-based security services, in keeping with his belief that “connected, intelligent homes will be the future norm”. Zicom has introduced a host of IoT-based subscription monitoring services, which have considerably brought down the cost of security. For instance, ATM e-surveillance has reduced the cost of security from Rs 40,000 per month to just Rs 4,000. Zicom’s subscription-based security services cover ATMs, gold loan companies, commercial establishments, senior citizens, children, assets, etc. Also, “technology advancements that have enabled security solutions to be deployed on the same broadband fibre network as Internet-based televisions and CCTV cameras have reduced the cost of deploying security products by 25-30 per cent,” says Pithawalla. Solutions aside, materials that enhance security such as bullet glass and laminated glass are considerably cheaper than they used to be, observes Dikshu C Kukreja of C P Kukreja Associates. “By embracing the wide array of available security technologies, architects needn’t restrict their design,” he adds. “They must just ensure that they integrate technology in such a way that it doesn’t become an eyesore.” For the best outcomes, Srikanth Srinivasan, President - Procurement, Puravankara suggests security technologies be customised to suit the needs of individual projects. - CHARU BAHRI

Infrastructure Urban

10 Mar 2026

ABB to Invest Rs 6.25 Billion to Expand India Manufacturing

ABB recently announced plans to invest approximately Rs 6.25 billion ($75 million) in India during 2026 to expand its manufacturing footprint and research and development capabilities. The investment follows more than $35 million spent in 2025 and reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening its ‘local-for-local’ strategy in the country.The investment will support ABB’s Electrification, Motion and Automation businesses and expand manufacturing capacity for infrastructure sectors such as renewable energy, metro rail, data centres and industrial applications. Approximately 300..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

Six WOLFF Cranes Handle 60,000 m³ Concrete for German Hospital

Six WOLFF tower cranes are playing a key role in constructing a new hospital complex in Memmingen, Germany, supporting large-scale material handling for the project. The facility is being built on a 7.7-hectare site and will feature six floors, around 480 beds and a gross floor area exceeding 75,000 sq m.Building shell works began recently in February 2025. One WOLFF 6531.12 Cross crane supported early site preparation before being dismantled in autumn 2025, while five remaining cranes continue operations. Over an average deployment period of 16 months, the cranes are expected to move approxim..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

REC Funds Rs 115.6 Million CSR Support for Bihar Eye Hospital

REC recently committed Rs 115.6 million under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for the procurement of clinical and non-clinical equipment at Sankara Eye Hospital in Saharsa, Bihar. The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised eye care services in the region.A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was recently signed between Pradeep Fellows, Executive Director (CSR), REC Limited, and Wg Cdr V. Shankar (Retd), Trustee and Executive Director of Sankara Eye Hospital, at the REC office in the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi.The support is expecte..