「英中对照」超越砖瓦建筑：商业地产领域数字基础设施作为公用设施的合理性论证

by Rob Murchison作者：Rob Murchison

When we think of buildings, we often picture the tangible—the walls, the windows, the spaces where tenants work, live, and thrive. But how often do we consider the systems behind the scenes—the ones that connect, protect, and sustain these spaces?想到建筑，我们脑海中往往浮现有形的事物——墙壁、窗户，以及租户工作、生活和发展的空间。但我们有多常关注幕后的系统——那些连接、保护并维系这些空间的系统？

Could it be that the most valuable part of your building isn’t visible, but instead, powers its future?你建筑中最有价值的部分会不会并非可见之物，而是为其未来提供动力的事物？

Water, gas, and electricity have revolutionized commercial real estate (CRE), reshaping the industry and redefining what buildings could achieve. Each utility became essential for operations and tenant satisfaction. But now, traditional utilities alone aren’t enough. How can your property stay competitive and meet modern demands? The answer lies in digital infrastructure.水、燃气和电力为商业地产（CRE）带来了革命性变革，重塑了行业，并重新定义了建筑能够实现的目标。每一项公用事业都成为运营和租户满意度的关键。但如今，仅靠传统公用事业已经不够。你的物业如何保持竞争力并满足现代需求？答案在于数字基础设施。

Digital infrastructure evolved from a feature to a necessity数字基础设施已从一项功能配置演变为必需品。

For decades, commercial buildings have been designed with physical utilities like water, gas, and electricity in mind. Digital infrastructure, however, is often an afterthought—an optional feature rather than a core component. That mindset began to shift as early digital systems showed their potential to streamline operations and enhance tenant experiences.数十年来，商业建筑在设计时一直将水、燃气、电力等实体公用事业纳入考量。然而，数字基础设施却往往是事后才考虑的事项——被视为可选功能，而非核心组成部分。随着早期数字系统展现出精简运营、提升租户体验的潜力，这种观念开始转变。

In the 1980s, the introduction of computerized building management systems (BMS) allowed for centralized control of HVAC and lighting systems, revolutionizing operational efficiency. By the late 1990s, the growing reliance on internet connectivity transformed tenant expectations. In concept, reliable networks became as critical as running water for modern buildings, and due to the complexity of CRE technology, owners and operators had to rethink how they approached the digital systems in their properties.20世纪80年代，计算机化楼宇管理系统（BMS）的问世实现了对HVAC和照明系统的集中控制，彻底变革了运营效率。到20世纪90年代末，对互联网连接日益增长的依赖改变了租户的期望。从概念上讲，可靠网络对现代建筑而言已与自来水同等关键；而由于CRE技术的复杂性，业主和运营方不得不重新思考应如何对待物业中的数字系统。

Fast-forward to today, and the demands have grown exponentially. The rise of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, cloud-based systems, and real-time analytics has made digital infrastructure the backbone of modern building operations. Tenants no longer ask for connectivity—they assume it.快进到今天，需求已呈指数级增长。物联网（IoT）设备、基于云的系统和实时分析的兴起，使数字基础设施成为现代建筑运营的骨干。租户不再要求提供连接——他们默认连接已然存在。

Yet, despite its importance, many owners and operators continue to treat digital infrastructure differently from other utilities.然而，尽管数字基础设施十分重要，许多业主和运营方仍继续将其与其他公用事业区别对待。

Why would owners relinquish control of digital infrastructure?业主为何会让出数字基础设施的控制权？

Here’s a question worth reflecting on:有一个问题值得深思：

Would you ever give away control of your building’s water, gas, or electricity to an outside provider in exchange for short-term savings?你难道会为了短期的成本节约，把建筑的水、燃气或电力控制权交给外部供应商吗？

Probably not. Yet, this is exactly what happens with digital infrastructure in many cases.大概不会。然而，在许多情况下，数字基础设施的遭遇恰恰如此。

There are several reasons for this disconnect:这种脱节有若干原因：

• Historical practices: Digital infrastructure has long been seen as a tenant amenity, often provided by external service providers rather than integrated into the building’s core operations.历史惯例：长期以来，数字基础设施一直被视为租户配套设施，通常由外部服务提供商提供，而非融入建筑的核心运营。
• Cost avoidance: Service providers often offer to install and manage digital infrastructure at no cost, making it tempting for owners to offload the responsibility.成本规避：服务提供商通常提出免费安装和管理数字基础设施，这让业主很难不动心，选择卸下这一责任。
• Complexity: Managing digital systems requires specialized expertise that owners may lack in-house, leading to a preference for outsourcing.复杂性：管理数字系统需要专业知识，而业主内部可能缺乏此类专业能力，因此更倾向于外包。
• Undervaluing its strategic importance: Unlike traditional utilities, digital infrastructure hasn’t been fully recognized as a driver of building value, tenant satisfaction, and operational efficiency.低估其战略重要性：与传统公用事业不同，数字基础设施尚未被充分认可为建筑价值、租户满意度和运营效率的驱动力。

However, this approach has significant consequences. By giving up control, owners miss revenue opportunities, restrict their flexibility, limit options to reduce operational costs, and expose their buildings to potential security risks.然而，这种做法会带来严重后果。放弃控制权后，业主会错失收入机会、限制自身灵活性、减少降低运营成本的选择，并使楼宇面临潜在安全风险。

It’s time to rethink digital infrastructure是时候重新思考数字基础设施了

Digital systems have evolved from conveniences to essential utilities, but they’ve never been managed with the same care or standardization as water or electricity. Why?数字系统已从便利设施演变为不可或缺的公用事业，但从未像供水或供电那样得到同等程度的悉心管理或标准化。为什么？

The concept of digital infrastructure as a utility is still emerging, yet the parallels are clear: just as buildings rely on water to flow seamlessly to every faucet and electricity to power every outlet, they now depend on digital systems to connect every device, process, and person within them.数字基础设施作为公用事业的概念仍在兴起，但其相似之处显而易见：正如楼宇依赖水无缝输送至每个水龙头、依赖电力为每个插座供电，如今楼宇依赖数字系统连接其中的每台设备、每个流程和每个人。

By retaining control of digital infrastructure, building owners can:通过保留对数字基础设施的控制权，楼宇业主可以：

• Enhance tenant satisfaction: Provide seamless connectivity, smart amenities, and cyber-secure environments where technology is simple and convenient.提升租户满意度：提供无缝连接、智能配套设施和网络安全环境，让技术简单易用、方便省心。
• Capture new revenue streams: Monetize digital services and data-driven insights rather than leaving profits to external providers.获取新收入流：将数字服务和数据驱动洞察变现，而不是把利润留给外部供应商。
• Increase property value: Buildings designed for the future with flexible, reliable infrastructure that meets tenant and market demands, ultimately increasing NOI.提升物业价值：以灵活、可靠的基础设施打造面向未来的楼宇，满足租户和市场需求，最终提升NOI。

Why digital infrastructure matters now数字基础设施为何在当下至关重要

How much of your building’s future potential depends on the systems managing it today?贵楼宇未来的潜力，有多少取决于如今管理它的系统？

Modern buildings rely on IoT devices, automated HVAC, and smart physical access control—no longer optional but essential systems. Yet, without proper management, these technologies can feel like a burden instead of a benefit.现代楼宇依赖IoT设备、自动化HVAC和智能物理门禁——这些已不再是可选系统，而是不可或缺的系统。然而，若管理不当，这些技术非但带不来益处，反而可能成为负担。

What if your systems worked together seamlessly instead of competing for attention and resources?如果您的系统能够无缝协同运行，而不是相互争夺关注和资源，会怎样？

Tenants are raising the bar with expectations for seamless connectivity, smart amenities, and environmentally responsible spaces. Owners and operators face rising energy costs, stricter regulations, and sustainability goals.租户对无缝连接、智能配套设施和环保空间的期望正在提高门槛。业主和运营方面临能源成本上涨、法规趋严以及可持续发展目标的压力。

Are your buildings equipped to meet these demands while remaining cost-effective and efficient?贵楼宇是否已做好准备，在满足这些需求的同时保持成本效益和效率？

Consider an opportunity in proper CRE technology management不妨考虑妥善管理CRE技术所带来的机遇

What could your property achieve if all its systems worked in harmony? When digital infrastructure is adequately managed, CRE tech becomes a solution rather than a challenge.如果物业的所有系统协调运行，它能实现什么？当数字基础设施得到妥善管理时，CRE技术会成为解决方案，而不是挑战。

Consider the possibilities:不妨畅想以下可能：

• Operational simplicity: How much time and money could you save by reducing redundancies, improving reliability, and gaining actionable data for better decisions?运营简化：通过减少冗余、提升可靠性并获得可指导行动的数据以做出更优决策，您可以节省多少时间和资金？
• Economic value: Could proactive maintenance and optimized energy use turn inefficiencies into opportunities to reduce expenses and boost your bottom line?经济价值：主动维护和优化能源使用，能否将低效环节转化为减少支出、提升盈利底线的机会？
• Sustainability gains: What if you could meet Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) priorities while reducing waste and managing resources more efficiently?可持续发展收益：如果您能在减少浪费、更高效管理资源的同时落实环境、社会与治理（ESG）优先事项，会怎样？
• Future-ready buildings: Are your buildings prepared for Private LTE, AI-driven analytics, and advanced automation? The right infrastructure makes this transition seamless.面向未来的楼宇： 贵楼宇是否已为专用LTE、AI驱动的分析和先进自动化做好准备？ 合适的基础设施可让这一过渡无缝实现。

Collaborating for success携手合作，共创成功

Who will drive this transformation? Owners and operators are key to designing and maintaining systems that ensure buildings are connected, protected, and optimized. Tenants, meanwhile, benefit directly from these advancements—secure, comfortable, and productive environments that meet their evolving needs.谁将推动这一转型？业主和运营方是设计和维护系统、确保楼宇互联、安全且优化的关键力量。与此同时，租户直接从这些进步中获益——安全、舒适且富有成效的环境可满足他们不断变化的需求。

Why the time is now为何当下正是时候

If not now, when? Digital infrastructure is not just a passing trend; it is the foundation for how buildings will operate now and in the future. Acting now will help your property stand out in a competitive market where seamless technology integration has become essential.倘若不是现在，更待何时？数字基础设施并非转瞬即逝的趋势，而是建筑当前及未来运营方式的基础。即刻行动将有助于您的物业在竞争激烈的市场中脱颖而出，因为无缝技术集成在该市场中已不可或缺。

Can you wait while others redefine what “building value” means?当 others 重新定义“建筑价值”的内涵时，您还能坐等吗？

A shared opportunity共同的机遇

The buildings of tomorrow will be defined not just by their physical structure but by their digital backbone. As we move beyond bricks and mortar, digital systems will determine how buildings operate, how tenants thrive, and how properties create value.未来建筑的定义将不仅在于其实体结构，更在于其数字主干。随着我们不再局限于砖瓦砂浆，数字系统将决定建筑如何运营、租户如何发展以及物业如何创造价值。

Are you ready to simplify the management of your building systems and enhance tenant satisfaction?您准备好简化建筑系统管理并提升租户满意度了吗？