OCS sees buildings differently. They’re more than physical spaces; they’re living environments, strategic assets, and critical parts of your organisation’s performance and sustainability goals. And increasingly, the systems that keep them running – your HVAC, lighting, power and life safety infrastructure – are expected to be smarter, cleaner and more efficient than ever.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a central role in that evolution. It’s transforming hard services from reactive tasks into dynamic, data-driven operations. And it’s enabling us to deliver a new standard of performance for our customers – one rooted in prediction, optimisation and real-time insight.
Rethinking Maintenance Through Intelligence
Traditionally, hard services have been built around planned schedules and reactive callouts. However, with AI, we can anticipate issues before they occur. Through sensor technology and machine learning, our teams at OCS can now monitor your systems continuously, spotting early signs of wear, unusual patterns in energy use, or small inefficiencies that might otherwise go unnoticed.
This shift allows us to intervene earlier, avoid disruption, and extend the life of your critical assets while freeing up your teams to focus on more strategic priorities.
Energy, Efficiency and the Road to Net Zero
For organisations focused on decarbonisation, AI offers a powerful tool to drive energy efficiency. Rather than relying on static controls, we use AI-supported tools to dynamically adjust heating, cooling and lighting, based on occupancy, usage trends and environmental conditions.
In practical terms, that means a more comfortable environment for your people, significantly lower utility costs, and tangible progress against your ESG commitments. It also means being able to report on these improvements with clarity and confidence – something our customers increasingly need for regulatory, stakeholder and reputational reasons.
From Systems to Strategy
AI’s most significant benefit is its ability to enable smarter long-term decision-making. With live data and predictive analytics, our AI-enabled systems help you see how your buildings perform over time. We can show you where investments will have the most significant impact, which assets are underperforming, and how small changes now can prevent significant costs later.
Building Management Systems (BMS) play a crucial role in this shift. By integrating and optimising BMS, we unlock a deeper understanding of how your systems are functioning, from HVAC to lighting and beyond, enabling targeted interventions that enhance efficiency and performance.
This approach is already delivering results. At Edinburgh High Court, we delivered a major low-carbon retrofit in partnership with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS). The project aimed to improve energy performance, cut carbon emissions, and modernise the building infrastructure, all while supporting SCTS’s long-term sustainability goals.
The project was forecast to reduce total energy consumption by 30%, with annual cost savings of over £70,000. By July 2024, with only 25% of the upgrades completed, the site had already achieved a 23% reduction in total energy use. Additional benefits included improved occupant comfort and a noticeable reduction in external noise levels, further enhancing the building’s environment.
It’s a clear example of what can be achieved when hard services are approached strategically. In other words, hard services are no longer just about keeping the lights on. They’re about helping you think ahead, spend wisely, and build operational resilience with data, technology, and expertise working together to deliver measurable value across your estate.
Why OCS?
We combine decades of engineering and facilities experience with cutting-edge technology and deep sector knowledge. Our approach to AI isn’t about overhauling your entire infrastructure – it’s about making what you already have work harder, smarter and more sustainably. We work alongside your teams to implement practical, scalable and tailored solutions to your estate – no jargon, disruption, just better outcomes.
Whether you’re managing a single site or a nationwide portfolio, we can help you unlock the full potential of your built environment through intelligent, hard services.
If you’re exploring how AI can improve reliability, efficiency and sustainability in your buildings, we’d love to start that conversation. OCS is already helping customers in healthcare, aviation, education and commercial property, and we’re ready to help you do the same.
