Better Leasing Outcomes: How SmartScore Certification Works and Why It’s Driving Innovation in CRE
How Smart Is That Smart Building?
Smartwatches, smart lights, even smart refrigerators — so much of what we interact with day to day is getting “smarter” in an effort to anticipate our needs and make our lives easier. Some of these improvements are truly meaningful, while others are a lot less so. (I’m looking at you, smart deodorant.)
When it comes to understanding and assessing the relative intelligence of smart buildings, we’re in luck, thanks to an independent, internationally recognized certification called SmartScore.
What Is SmartScore Certification?
An offshoot of WiredScore, SmartScore certification offers a comprehensive means for assessing and certifying technologically advanced buildings. WiredScore certification came first, developed to promote best-in-class digitally connected buildings — originally in New York City (in 2013) and now across 39 countries globally. SmartScore certification launched in 2021, in response to WiredScore’s clients asking for clarity around smart buildings and guidance on achieving their full potential.
Truly Differentiated Experiences Are the Driving Force in CRE
The Covid pandemic forever changed the way in which we work, driving record high office vacancy rates, reaching 20% across US markets and even upwards of 30% in some markets this year. These high vacancy rates have given tenants more leverage than in the past, putting pressure on landlords and developers to offer truly differentiated experiences in the form of sublime shared spaces and “wow factor” amenities — experiences more often than not enabled by technology.
The good news? Developers and occupiers, landlords and tenants are working together. SmartScore certification helps them define and measure smart experiences, providing a framework to discuss something that is complex by nature — and helping to make their dream smart buildings a reality.
What SmartScore Certification Covers — And What’s Trending
SmartScore standards cover six main user functionality categories:
- Access and Navigation — building access, wayfinding and elevator optimization
- Health and Wellbeing — air quality, wellbeing reporting and occupier comfort
- Sustainability — energy, waste and water management
- Community and Services — EV charging, deliveries and amenity space booking
- Maintenance and Operations — cleaning, work orders and fault detection/diagnosis
- Safety and Security — building security, utilization and emergency alerts
Some smart functionalities — like carbon monitoring and demand-based cleaning — are still in the early stages of adoption, but there are others that have been solidly adopted by the majority of smart buildings in nearly every geography with clear, demonstrated value to users and owners alike. Some of these clear winners include intelligent building security, digital access control, elevator optimization, occupier comfort control and visitor arrival.
SmartScore Benefits: Better Leasing Outcomes, Better Tenant Experiences and Access to Expertise
Achieving WiredScore and SmartScore certification can have measurable benefits. According to Moody Analytics, buildings bearing a WiredScore certification had vacancies, on average, 3.8% lower than non-certified buildings. Additionally, certified buildings delivering best-in-class connectivity and technology enabled experiences can support higher rents. In New York City, for example, there was a 2.7% uplift in rent versus non-certified properties.
Beyond these statistics, leveraging the expertise of the world’s leading resource in smart buildings helps deliver a seamless “street to desk” experience across your properties to better meet ever-evolving occupier demands.
Ready to make your building smarter than the one next door? Start with mobile access.
As a WiredScore Accredited Solution, HID can support your journey to SmartScore certification. A great place to start is with HID Mobile Access® — ultra-secure, ultra-convenience credentials stored right on your employees’ or tenants’ mobile devices >>