As commercial real estate continues to evolve, the definition of building value is expanding beyond location and amenities. Today’s intelligent environments depend on infrastructure that supports automation, sustainability, and data-driven decision-making. The true value of smart building infrastructure lies not only in the devices deployed throughout a space, but in the network foundation that allows those systems to operate together seamlessly.
Through collaboration between Cisco and MHT Technologies, organizations are exploring how Power over Ethernet (PoE), intelligent hardware platforms, and AI-driven software can transform commercial buildings into connected environments that improve operational efficiency and occupant experience.
Infrastructure as the Foundation of Intelligent Buildings
Smart buildings are often discussed in terms of sensors, lighting, or automation platforms. While these technologies are visible to occupants, their effectiveness depends on the underlying network and power architecture. Cisco’s secure networking infrastructure provides the backbone that allows building systems to communicate, share data, and scale over time.
Power over Ethernet plays a critical role in this transformation. By delivering both power and data through a single network cable, PoE simplifies deployment while creating a unified infrastructure for connected devices. Instead of relying on isolated electrical systems, commercial real estate owners can adopt a more integrated approach that supports continuous innovation.
Within this framework, infrastructure becomes a strategic asset. Decisions made during design influence how easily buildings can adapt to new technologies, optimize energy use, and respond to changing tenant expectations.
Enabling Smart Devices Through PoE Technology
PoE technology is reshaping how devices are deployed across modern commercial spaces. From smart lighting and automated shading to connected furniture such as PoE-enabled desks, intelligent endpoints can operate directly on the network. This reduces installation complexity while giving facilities teams greater visibility into building performance.
MHT Technologies’ Inspextor nodes serve as the PoE hardware layer that powers these intelligent systems. Designed to support scalable deployments, these nodes allow lighting, shading, and environmental controls to operate within a unified ecosystem. By integrating these devices with Cisco’s network infrastructure, buildings gain a flexible platform capable of supporting evolving operational needs.
For commercial real estate owners, the advantage is clear: infrastructure built on PoE can expand and adapt without the extensive electrical rework often associated with traditional systems.
Turning Infrastructure Data Into Actionable Insight
While hardware and connectivity provide the foundation, the real value of smart building infrastructure emerges when data is translated into meaningful outcomes. Cisco Spaces enables organizations to understand how people interact with their environments by providing visibility into occupancy patterns, movement trends, and spatial utilization.
When combined with aida™, the AI-driven automation platform developed by Building AI Solutions, this data becomes a powerful tool for optimizing building performance. aida analyzes information from Inspextor hardware and connected devices to determine optimal deployment schedules for lighting, shading, and environmental controls. The result is a more responsive environment that balances energy efficiency with occupant comfort.
Rather than relying on static schedules, intelligent automation can adjust building behavior based on real-time conditions. For eco-focused commercial real estate owners, this approach supports sustainability goals while improving operational efficiency across portfolios.
Smart Lighting, Shading, and the Connected Workplace
Lighting and shading systems are among the most impactful elements of modern smart buildings. When powered by PoE and controlled through intelligent software, these systems move beyond basic automation to become adaptive infrastructure layers.
Smart lighting integrated with Cisco networking can respond to occupancy changes detected through Cisco Spaces insights, reducing unnecessary energy consumption. Automated shades help regulate daylight, improving thermal comfort and reducing reliance on HVAC systems. Together, these technologies create environments that feel intuitive to occupants while delivering measurable performance benefits to owners.
PoE desks and connected workplace solutions further extend this ecosystem by enabling personalized environments. Employees gain greater control over lighting and workspace settings, while facilities teams maintain centralized visibility through the network.
Driving Value for Commercial Real Estate Owners
For commercial real estate owners, the value of smart building infrastructure extends far beyond technology adoption. Buildings designed around integrated networking and PoE architecture can support evolving tenant expectations, streamline operations, and unlock new insights into how spaces are used.
Cisco’s networking platform provides the secure, scalable backbone that allows infrastructure to grow alongside organizational needs. MHT Technologies’ PoE hardware and aida software layer enable intelligent automation that enhances efficiency without increasing complexity. Together, these technologies create a unified environment where infrastructure, data, and user experience work in harmony.
The result is a building that operates more like a digital platform than a static asset — capable of adapting to changing market demands while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and occupant wellbeing.
Building Toward a More Intelligent Future
As the commercial real estate industry continues to embrace digital transformation, infrastructure choices will play an increasingly important role in determining long-term success. Smart building strategies built on Cisco networking, PoE technology, and intelligent automation platforms provide a pathway toward environments that are efficient, adaptable, and responsive to occupant needs.
By aligning infrastructure with operational goals, commercial real estate owners can unlock the full value of connected buildings. The collaboration between Cisco and MHT Technologies demonstrates how network-driven design, AI-powered software, and scalable PoE hardware can help shape a new generation of smart buildings focused on performance, sustainability, and human-centric design.