Big actions often create big results. However, sometimes small initiatives ramp up to become very large. This week, one of those seemingly small initiatives was announced by the Linux Foundation at the ASHRAE winter conference. The Linux Foundation will acquire the Coalition for Smarter Buildings (C4SB). The non-profit C4SB will now become a Foundation and will provide the “umbrella” code and processes for Linux operating systems to connect to assets in real estate and buildings. The ALN and some organizational members are listed as supporters in the announcement. We are honored to be a supporter of what is seen as a game changing event for Asset Management. See more in People and Sources below.
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People
Rick Justis, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Buildings (C4SB) is guiding the creation of the C4SB Foundation, which will be part of the Linux Foundation. As a unified entity, there will be a promotion of an on-premise computer, or virtual computer, called the Interoperability Building Box (IBB). The IBB will run Connection Profiles, which can be thought of as standardized APIs, that allow owners, manufacturers, integrators, and others, to establish the processes and software protocols that allow smart assets to talk with each other…and then talk with the internet to share reports to allow owners to make better decisions. There can also be signals to the energy grid about demand and excess energy that might be returned to the grid. Join us on Thursday 27 February at 3 pm Eastern to learn more detailed information by registering at this link.
Sources
FRPA and Current Events
Our colleagues at the Federal Real Property Association are an excellent source of insight and information. We advocate attendance of their “Current Events in Real Property” lunchtime panel on March 11, 2025 at Holland & Knight. Here is their promotional text:
Federal real property management used to fly under the radar of public policy. Not anymore! There were numerous public buildings reforms in the Water Resources Development Act that became law on January 5, 2025—including the entire USE IT Act. The President, GSA, and DOGE have also been very active in our sector with a flurry of related executive orders, pronouncements, and even a new “wall of receipts” detailing canceled leases. FRPA will try to make sense of everything with a panel of the best legal minds and one of the busiest brokers in federal real estate.
Panelists:
Gordon Griffin, Partner, Holland & Knight LLP
Kim Pagotto, Partner, Dentons
Darian A. LeBlanc, Executive Vice Chairman, Cushman & Wakefield
Keith Cunningham, Assistant Director, GAO (Moderator)
Ideas
Here’s How
Onuma, Inc. is a strong supporter of the C4SB, its Interoperability Building Box (IBB), and Connection Profiles as a means to create simple, effective communication among building assets, and all assets. Kimon Onuma has long advocated for simpler connections that improve asset value for owners. An article he recently posted on AutomatedBuildings.com points out the problems the building industry has faced for decades and, more importantly, the solutions now available.
Upcoming Events
March 20 – Jim Dieter, ALN Chair and CEO, will preview the ALN Book Club Discussion of “Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI” by Yuval Noah Harari.
March 25 – ALN Book Club – First Discussion
Because the human evolution of tools and processes grows increasingly complex, information management becomes a critical element of Asset Management. A policy requiring the use of secure, open standards can allow information from all categories of assets to flow to top leadership and others for confident decision making. Once a policy is in place, a Strategic Asset Management Plan establishes the overarching direction for many elements of operation and then specific Asset Management Plans establish the desired use of tools and processes for each asset category. However, more fully understanding information networks is good to do before establishing policy. Therefore, the first ALN Book Club will read “Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI.” The three sections of the book by Yuval Noah Harari will be discussed on the last Tuesday of February, March, and April at 3 pm Eastern. Jim Dieter, ALN Chair and CEO will lead the discussions. Mr. Dieter says the book provides important new ways to think about information, networks, documents, bureaucracy, and more issues that are extremely relevant for asset leadership and asset management. See more details about signing up for the ALN Book Club discussions and the importance of the book at this link.