In a sour economy, it’s not surprise that companies are looking to save money whenever possible. That includes a cost savings on energy.

 

But some companies are looking at the bigger picture where a more lucrative market exists in corporate buildings. Cisco, for example, launched a line of products called the Building Mediator, a solution geared to help companies manage costs from building management and infrastructure.

 

The company’s Network Building Mediator helps building managers track the energy used to cool, heat, light and secure buildings. It’s part Cisco’s (News - Alert) Smart Connected Buildings solution, the latest emerging technology.

 

With the help of an IP network, this solution enables the buildings to make smart use of the energy. With this new Smart Connected Buildings solution, Cisco aims to facilitate sustainable energy reduction and the future-proofing of facilities.

 

In the United States, offices and commercial buildings consume a major share of electricity. Cisco believes that if these places can make efficient use of the available energy, there can be potential savings and less carbon footprint. The company has been devising various methods and tools to enable these offices and commercial buildings to consume less energy and work more efficiently.

 

“Over the next three to five years, as more people around the world migrate to urban centers, 3 billion individuals around the world will connect to the Internet. Cisco envisages a future where successful communities and cities will run on networked information, and where information technology will help the world better manage its energy and environmental challenges. Everything connected to the network in these smart+connected communities can be greener.”

 

With Smart Connected Buildings' first solution, Cisco Network Building Mediator, building operation managers can easily monitor, measure and act on energy systems. They will also be able to easily add renewable technologies such as solar, wind and fuel cells as well as energy-efficiency programs such as automated demand-response programs, claims Cisco.

 

Recently, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Moscow Centre for Informational Technologies and Analytics. With this, MCITA will look to increase the number of Cisco Networking Academy sites in the country. The collaboration includes a two-year program that will train and provide professional development for teachers in secondary schools and colleges.