Why IT Managed Services Are the Strategic Backbone of Smart Commercial Buildings

Wednesday, September 17th, 2025

In today’s competitive property market, commercial buildings must do more than provide space; they must deliver performance. From cybersecurity to tenant satisfaction, IT managed services are now a strategic necessity for building operators and tenant organisations. This article explores how smart, secure, and scalable IT infrastructure transforms buildings into high-performing assets, boosts tenant morale, and drives enterprise productivity.

Smart Buildings Need Smart Support

Interconnected systems, including access control, HVAC, lighting, surveillance, and IoT sensors, power modern commercial buildings. Without robust IT support, these systems become vulnerable to cyber threats, downtime, and inefficiencies.

Managed services provide:

  • Real-time monitoring and predictive fault detection
  • Secure remote access and zero-trust architecture
  • Proactive maintenance that reduces disruptions

These capabilities don’t just keep buildings running—they keep them competitive.

The Hard Lesson of Cybersecurity: A Hotel's Journey to Improvement

Smart buildings are attractive targets for cyberattacks. Fragmented operational systems and unsecured IoT devices pose real risks. IT managed services mitigate these threats by implementing enterprise-grade cybersecurity protocols.

In 2017, the Seehotel Jägerwirt in Austria was hit by a series of ransomware attacks that disabled its electronic door locking system and other IT infrastructure. The attack was triggered when the hotel’s managing director unknowingly opened a phishing email disguised as a bill from Telekom Austria. As a result, guests were locked out of their rooms, and the hotel’s hard drive was encrypted.

The hotel paid a ransom of two bitcoins (around €1,600 at the time) to regain control. In response, the hotel upgraded its cybersecurity measures, trained staff to spot phishing attempts, and reverted to traditional metal keys, which guests reportedly preferred. The incident highlights the growing cybersecurity risks posed by internet-connected devices, especially in hospitality and smart building environments.

Building Resilience Through Better Security

Enhanced security delivered through Modern Networks’ IT managed services plays a vital role in improving the resilience and operational efficiency of commercial buildings. By implementing advanced measures such as network segmentation, continuous monitoring, and AI-powered threat detection, Modern Networks can help building owners and operators protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats and system failures. Sensitive systems like Building Automation Systems (BAS) can be isolated from public networks, reducing the risk of unauthorised access and ensuring operational continuity.

By safeguarding data integrity and aligning with industry compliance standards, Modern Networks can empower property owners and operators to maintain secure, efficient, and future-ready buildings that support tenant confidence and long-term asset value.

Tenant Satisfaction Drives Asset Value

Smart, secure buildings are both safer and more desirable. Research from the School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University, shows that:

  1. Tenant Satisfaction Strongly Influences Leasing Decisions
  • A 1-point increase in overall tenant satisfaction (on a 1–5 scale) is associated with:
    • 36% higher willingness to renew the lease
    • 03% higher likelihood of recommending the building
    • 40% lower probability of moving out
  1. Satisfaction Drives Financial Performance
  • A 10% increase in average building-level satisfaction leads to:
    • 17% higher growth in gross rents
    • 66% higher growth in effective gross rents
    • 32% lower growth in vacancy rate
  1. Technology and Smart Building Features Matter
  • Buildings with green certifications (LEED, WELL) consistently show:
    • Higher tenant satisfaction
    • Greater resilience during economic shocks (e.g., COVID-19)
    • Improved rental and occupancy performance
    • Smart building attributes such as better indoor environmental quality (air, light, temperature) and responsive property management are key drivers of satisfaction.
  1. Improving Satisfaction Yields Stronger Returns in Lower-Performing Buildings
  • The marginal benefit of improving satisfaction is greatest in buildings with initially low satisfaction scores.
  • Tenants who are newer to a building are more sensitive to satisfaction improvements than long-term occupants.

Smart Buildings Boost In-Office Performance

Smart building technologies do more than just improve operations; they enhance the human experience. According to Cushman & Wakefield, over 50% of employees say the quality of their workplace directly affects their productivity. Features like sensor-driven lighting, air quality control, and noise management create more comfortable environments, leading to better focus and fewer disruptions.

The next wave of smart building innovation is focused on human-centric outcomes like wellness, engagement, and cognitive performance, not just cost savings.

From Cost Centre to Competitive Advantage

IT managed services are no longer just another support function and operating cost; they are a strategic enabler. For building operators, they unlock operational excellence and long-term asset value. For tenants, they deliver the digital infrastructure and resilience needed to pursue their business objectives.

Modern Networks enables property owners, operators and tenant enterprises to transform commercial buildings into effective environments that support and accelerate growth.

Ready to Future-Proof Your Buildings?

Contact Modern Networks today to discover how our smart, secure, and scalable IT services can transform your property into a high-performing, future-ready asset.

Request a quote

References

Share this page