One of the DBC’s key Focus Areas is to explore the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders in the digital building project delivery process and clearly articulate the value each player and delivery model brings. For example, recent discussions have questioned the value of appointing a proven Master System Integrator (MSI) to oversee digital building projects. This debate was the prompt for a series of articles and panel sessions exploring the evolving MSI role, including:

• Collaborative article on Lessons learned: 6 common mistakes MSI contractors see in smart building projects by DBC fmember LMG for Smart Buildings Magazine (Dec 24)
• Summary of DBC Redefining Master Systems Integration session panel at ISE Europe Smart Buildings Summit summary (Feb 2024)
• Article that expands on the DBC Redefining master systems integration panel session at ISE Smart Buildings Summit by John Clarke at DBC Founding Member One sight solutions ltd (Feb 2024)

More recently the DBC Treasurer’s Mike Hook from DBC Founding Member LMG has been examing the role of the Master Systems Integrators (MSIs) and how they are creating next generation intelligent buildings in his Bringing it all to life article for the April edition of Inside Networks edited by Rob Shepherd:

BRINGING IT ALL TO LIFE

Mike Hook at LMG examines the role of master systems integrators (MSIs) and how they are creating next generation intelligent buildings for the April Edition of Inside Networks.

MSIs have long operated at the heart of digital building infrastructure. From seamless connectivity and systems integration to cloud-based analytics, the services they provide are critical in uniting traditionally separate domains – information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT). As buildings, campuses and entire cities strive to adopt increasingly smart features, MSIs are stepping up to ensure that intelligent devices, networks, datasets and platforms work in harmony. To fully understand which MSI is right for a particular project, it’s vitally important to understand what the different types are and how they can work together.

SPEAKING TERMS
MSIs encapsulate a variety of organisations with dierent focus areas and skill sets. This diversity reflects the multilayered nature of modern IT/OT environments, where networks, automation systems and data analytics each require specialised attention. Broadly, we can categorise MSIs into three main groups:

• Converged network layer specialists
• Traditional MSIs and independent data layer (IDL) providers
• Smart building platform (SBP) providers, also referred to as smart software integrators (SSI)

While each type has its strengths, they often form partnerships to round out their capabilities. These alliances are essential as few, if any, single provider can feasibly excel in all areas of digital building systems integration. The future of smart infrastructure depends on how eectively these three types of work are contracted, completed and managed. Let’s look at each in more detail:

Converged network layer specialists

In an era marked by the internet of things (IoT) and edge computing, converged network layer specialists play a critical role. They focus on creating robust IT/OT convergence, ensuring that every sensor, camera and controller in a building or campus environment remains securely and reliably onboarded and connected to the converged building network.

Whilst some have evolved from audiovisual service providers, experience and expertise in networking and cybersecurity is vital in a world of increasingly frequent cyberthreats. With more devices coming online every day, the potential attack surface grows.

Converged network specialists design, implement and maintain secure architectures that prevent unauthorised access, maintain quality of service and support real-time data transmission. For large scale applications like smart campuses or city-wide sensor networks, their work underpins everything else.

Traditional MSIs and IDL providers
Traditional MSIs built their reputations on handling building automation systems (BAS), energy management and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA). They excel at coordinating multiple legacy systems and making them work as one cohesive solution. However, the advent of IDL providers has expanded the traditional MSI’s role.

IDL providers focus on aggregating and structuring data in a uniform manner, using common ontologies and open protocols including MQTT, BACnet and Modbus.

This allows for more structured exchange of meaningful information and easier analytics.

As a result, some traditional MSIs have partnered with, or even acquired, IDL providers to oer their clients a deeper data-centric approach. By unifying these solutions, they can better facilitate interoperability between building subsystems, regardless of technology, protocol or vendor.

SBP providers and SSIs
A more recent entry into the MSI space is the SBP provider, sometimes also referred to as an SSI. These players often leverage their cloud-based solutions to deliver artificial intelligence (AI) driven analytics, predictive maintenance, fault detection and diagnostics, and centralised control dashboards. Their platforms can integrate data from multiple buildings or geographical locations, giving operators a holistic view of resource usage, occupancy patterns and equipment health. Some SBPs have extended their platforms to focus on optimising the user experience with innovations such as phone as a pass (PaaP), wayfinding and space scheduling.

For property owners or operators looking to accelerate their digital transformation, SBPs offer immediate insights through advanced analytics and machine learning. Whether it’s optimising energy consumption or predicting equipment failures before they happen, these cloud-based solutions promise agility, scalability and rapid innovation. SBPs are often the ones pushing the envelope on the newest technologies.

We can expect AI, increasing digitisation and widespread standardisation to drive the next wave of innovation

COLLABORATION AND DELIVERY
To achieve the desired outcomes in modern smart buildings, each of the three MSI functions – network layer, data integration and platform – must be addressed. In theory, a single MSI can provide all these capabilities under one roof. However, in practice, few integrators excel at both the gritty realities of performing smart commissioning tasks in a construction environment and producing user-friendly software at scale.

Clients therefore face a fundamental question – do they choose one all-encompassing MSI, or do they contract multiple specialised providers? Hiring a single firm can simplify management but if that firm lacks a strong partner ecosystem or specific expertise, quality may suffer. On the other hand, multiple specialists can deliver best-in-class solutions yet require a robust collaboration framework to avoid scope gaps and confusion.

MEETING THE NEED
When multiple vendors are involved, projects can falter without clear leadership and defined roles. The lead MSI could be engaged by the client or main contractor, depending on contractual structure and technical requirements. The key is to ensure there is a single point of accountability to coordinate tasks and resolve conflicts.

Ownership structure matters too. A landlord aiming to add long-term value to a property may invest heavily in a future-proofed, hyper-efficient smart foundation, while a tenant might prioritise user experience. MSI contracts should reflect these differing goals so that the final solution meets both a landlord’s immediate and a tenant’s long-term needs.

Ultimately, it is best to pick an MSI, or network of MSIs, with the right mix of skills, partnerships and commercial know-how to manage construction complexities and produce truly integrated, user-friendly systems that unlock value for all stakeholders. They must also be prepared to offer ongoing support, ensuring that digital buildings continue to evolve alongside changing occupant and business demands. By clarifying roles, establishing proper collaboration and considering the owner-tenant dynamic from the outset, clients can set the stage for a successful, future proof digital building project.

SUPPORT STRATEGIES
Ongoing support and lifecycle management are crucial for sustaining integrated solutions once they’ve been deployed. Whether it’s managing upgrades, troubleshooting issues or ensuring that new technologies can be seamlessly integrated, MSIs must be well-structured post-implementation services.

This has led to the emergence of an extended MSI role – sometimes called the master systems operator (MSO) – which provides a digital soft landing after project completion to enhance building operations. By bridging the gap between digital construction and digital operations, MSOs help unlock long-term value from integrated technologies.

In a world where occupant needs evolve and systems continuously generate meaningful data, flexible support strategies help maximise return on investment. By planning for ongoing maintenance early, organisations can reduce downtime, adapt to and derive value from future innovations and keep their infrastructure running smoothly.

WHAT COMES NEXT?
As the lines between network specialists, traditional MSIs, and SBP providers blur, expect a wave of mergers and hybrid models. Some network-focused integrators might acquire a data layer provider to round out their offerings, while a traditional MSI may create its own cloud-based analytic tools to compete with SBPs.

This consolidation could lead to integrated one-stop shops capable of delivering end-to-end solutions, but it may not always be preferable. The choice depends on the project’s objectives or the context of the contractual engagement process. Aligning procurement with desired outcomes ensures the most effective outcomes are realised.

From ensuring robust network security to implementing AI-driven analytics, MSIs offer the expertise necessary to keep buildings functioning both eefficiently and effectively. By creating environments that prioritise health, comfort and productivity, these integrated solutions can also help attract staff back to the office, keeping them motivated and engaged.

LOOKING AHEAD
We can expect AI, increasing digitisation and widespread standardisation to drive the next wave of innovation in smart building solutions and digital operations. Organisations must be prepared to adapt, embrace new partnerships and pivot strategies as the technological landscape shifts. By leveraging the right blend of MSI expertise, businesses and public agencies alike can future-proof their investment in the built environment, ensuring secure, efficient, effective and intelligent operations for years to come.

MIKE HOOK
Mike Hook is joint owner and board director at LMG. Over his career he has acquired a unique combination of technical and business skills that enable him to convert technological innovation into valuable business outcomes. Hook works closely with property developers, owners, occupants and general contractors around the world to ensure they get full value from their investment.

We hope to be announcing more articles in this series soon. In the meantime, stay connected by following the DBC on LinkedIn for the latest updates, events and insights from the founding members and reach out to learn how to join our community and contribute to our mission.