Insights Archives | BGIS APAC

Operational Technology in Modern Facilities: The Systems You Depend on Every Day

Sami Reisfeld — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 23:28:25 +0000

Most people never think about operational technology.

Yet operational technology, or OT, is responsible for keeping modern buildings safe, secure and operational every day.

From access control systems and CCTV networks to building management systems, energy platforms, communications infrastructure and smart building technologies, operational technology now underpins the performance of almost every facility.

The challenge is that many organisations still focus heavily on managing IT assets while giving far less attention to the operational technologies that support their buildings and infrastructure.

What Is Operational Technology?

Operational Technology refers to the systems that monitor, control and manage physical environments.

In modern facilities, this can include:

• Building Management Systems (BMS)
• Access Control
• CCTV and Security Platforms
• Energy Management Systems
• Network Infrastructure
• Smart Building Sensors
• Communications Systems
• Audio Visual Systems
• Critical Alarm and Monitoring Systems

These systems directly influence building performance, occupant experience, safety and operational resilience.

The Growing Convergence of Buildings and Technology

Buildings are becoming increasingly connected.

What were once standalone systems now share data, communicate across networks and integrate with enterprise platforms.

This creates significant opportunities for smarter operations and better decision-making.

It also introduces new challenges around cybersecurity, governance, asset management and lifecycle planning.

The question is no longer whether a building contains operational technology.

The question is whether that technology is being effectively managed.

Why OT Matters to Asset Owners

When operational technology is poorly managed, organisations can face:

• Increased operational risk
• Technology obsolescence
• Cybersecurity vulnerabilities
• System integration challenges
• Unplanned capital expenditure
• Reduced visibility of critical assets

As facilities become more dependent on digital infrastructure, OT is increasingly becoming a core asset management and operational performance issue rather than simply a technology issue.

The Future of Facilities Management

The most successful organisations are moving beyond managing individual systems in isolation.

Instead, they are developing strategies that align operational technology, facilities management and asset lifecycle planning.

This creates greater visibility, improved resilience and better long-term outcomes for both buildings and the people who use them.

How Torque IP Can Help

Torque IP helps organisations understand, govern and optimise operational technology across the built environment.

Our expertise spans smart buildings, security systems, building technologies, digital infrastructure, asset intelligence and lifecycle planning.

We work with asset owners, operators and facilities management teams to:

• Assess operational technology environments
• Improve OT governance and asset visibility
• Support technology lifecycle planning
• Reduce technology and cybersecurity risks
• Develop smart building and digital infrastructure strategies
• Align operational technology with facilities management objectives

By combining technology expertise with practical operational outcomes, Torque IP helps organisations unlock greater value from increasingly digital built environments. This reflects our broader focus on digital infrastructure, smart buildings, operational technology and asset performance.

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Digital Twins Beyond Construction: Delivering Operational Value Across the Asset Lifecycle

Sami Reisfeld — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 23:20:08 +0000

Why most digital twins never deliver their promised value.

Digital twins have become one of the most talked-about concepts in the built environment.

Yet despite significant investment in models, platforms and data, many organisations still struggle to answer a simple question:

“What value is the digital twin actually delivering?”

For many projects, the digital twin is created during design and construction, handed over at practical completion, and then slowly forgotten. The technology works. The data exists. But the information rarely becomes part of everyday operational decision-making.

The problem is not the digital twin. The problem is that most were never designed for the people responsible for operating the asset.

The real opportunity starts after construction

For owners, operators and facilities teams, the most valuable years of an asset begin after construction is complete.

This is where decisions are made about maintenance, capital investment, technology upgrades, compliance, risk and long-term performance.

A digital twin should support these decisions.

Rather than acting as a static 3D model, it should become a living source of asset intelligence that connects building information, asset registers, maintenance systems, operational technology and lifecycle data into a single operational view.

When this happens, the conversation shifts from: “What does the building look like?”

to “How is the asset performing and what should we do next?”

Why operational focus matters

As buildings become smarter and more connected, organisations are managing unprecedented volumes of information.

CCTV systems, access control, IoT devices, digital infrastructure, energy systems, building management platforms and maintenance records all generate valuable data. The challenge is turning that information into meaningful action.

Organisations that achieve the greatest return from digital twins are those that focus on operational outcomes rather than technology features.

They use digital twins to:

• Improve asset visibility
• Support lifecycle planning and capital forecasting
• Reduce operational risk
• Improve facilities management performance
• Build confidence in long-term investment decisions

A practical approach to digital twins

At Torque IP, we believe digital twins should solve real operational challenges.

Our focus is helping organisations create trusted asset intelligence that supports facilities management, lifecycle planning, digital infrastructure and smart building strategies.

Because the future of digital twins is not about creating better models.

It is about enabling better decisions.

How Torque IP Can Help

Torque IP provides independent advisory services covering:

• Digital Twin Strategy and Readiness Assessments
• BIM Health Checks and Operational BIM
• Asset Intelligence and Data Governance
• Digital Asset Management
• Lifecycle Planning and Capital Forecasting
• Smart Buildings and Digital Infrastructure Advisory
• Facilities Management Technology Integration

By combining digital infrastructure expertise with practical facilities management outcomes, we help organisations turn digital information into long-term operational value.

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Digital Technology Asset Lifecycle Planning: The Hidden Risk in Modern Buildings

Sami Reisfeld — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 22:49:55 +0000

Most organisations have established lifecycle plans for physical assets such as roofs, lifts, chillers and electrical infrastructure.

But what about the technology assets that modern buildings rely on every day?

Networks, WiFi, CCTV, access control, audiovisual systems, operational technology and smart building platforms have become essential to business operations. Yet many organisations still manage these assets reactively, only addressing them when systems fail, support contracts expire or cybersecurity risks emerge.

Technology Doesn’t Age Like Traditional Assets

Unlike physical infrastructure, technology assets are influenced by software updates, vendor support cycles, cybersecurity requirements and rapidly changing business needs.

A CCTV camera or network switch may still be functioning after ten years, but if the manufacturer no longer provides support or security updates, the asset may already be approaching the end of its useful life.

The question is no longer:

“Does the asset still work?”

It’s: “Can the asset continue to support our operational and security requirements?”

Why Lifecycle Planning Matters

Without a structured technology lifecycle strategy, organisations often face:

• Unplanned capital expenditure
• Emergency replacement projects
• Cybersecurity exposure
• Technology obsolescence
• Operational disruption
• Poor capital forecasting

Technology Asset Lifecycle Planning provides visibility of future risks, renewal requirements and investment priorities before they become operational problems.

By understanding asset condition, vendor roadmaps, supportability and future business needs, organisations can make smarter investment decisions and reduce risk across their portfolios.

Planning for Smarter Buildings

As buildings become increasingly connected, digital infrastructure is now as critical as traditional building systems.

Technology assets are no longer standalone IT investments. They are core operational assets that require the same level of planning, governance and lifecycle management as any other infrastructure investment.

Organisations that proactively manage technology lifecycles are better positioned to improve resilience, optimise capital expenditure and support long-term operational performance.

How Torque IP Can Help

Torque IP helps organisations understand, manage and optimise the lifecycle of digital infrastructure and technology assets.

Our services include:

• Technology Asset Lifecycle Reviews
• Technology Obsolescence Management
• Digital Infrastructure Asset Registers
• Capital Forecasting and Renewal Planning
• Vendor Support and Lifecycle Analysis
• PPP Lifecycle Assurance
• Cybersecurity Lifecycle Assessments
• Smart Building Technology Strategy

By combining expertise in digital infrastructure, operational technology, smart buildings and asset management, we help organisations make informed decisions that reduce risk, improve investment planning and maximise the value of their technology investments.

Because effective lifecycle planning isn’t just about replacing technology.

It’s about ensuring critical digital assets continue to support the performance, security and future of the built environment.

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Staying Curious: Why Learning in the Workplace Never Ends

Sami Reisfeld — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:45:04 +0000

In a world that continues to change around us, one thing remains constant: the need to keep learning. The way we work, the tools we use, the expectations of our clients and the skills we need to succeed are always evolving. For me, this is why lifelong learning matters. It is not simply about completing a course or attending a workshop. It is about staying open, curious and willing to grow throughout every stage of our career.

Sometimes people think learning and development means attending a course, completing a qualification or finishing a piece of required training. Those things are important, but they are only one part of the picture. Learning also happens in conversations, in feedback, in reflection, in trying something new, in making mistakes, and in being curious enough to ask, “What could I do differently next time?”. I have seen this play out in something as practical as our Difficult Conversations course, where the real growth is often not the session itself, but what happens afterwards, when someone applies it in a genuine moment with a client or a team member and comes away more confident for next time. Learning like this can help us build technical skills, strengthen our soft skills, navigate change, improve how we work with others, and sometimes even support us in our personal lives.

The world of work is changing quickly. New technologies, particularly AI, new systems, new client expectations and new ways of working continue to shape how we operate. In our industry, change is constant, and the ability to learn, adapt and remain open to new ideas is becoming more important than ever. Ongoing learning gives us the confidence to respond to that change. It helps us take on new challenges, build new capability, and feel more prepared for whatever comes next.

A strong learning culture starts with reflection. It means taking the time to consider what is working well, where we are building confidence, and where there may be opportunities to stretch ourselves further. Those reflections do not need to wait for a formal process or a particular point in the year. They can happen through everyday conversations with managers, peers and teams. When we make space for honest discussion about development, we create clarity, identify opportunities and support people to take their next step.

Career growth does not always mean moving upwards. For some people, growth is about becoming even stronger and more confident in the role they already have. I think of the technical depth that comes through something like our FM Diploma which is run in conjunction with the Property Council of Australia and industry experts, where the goal is not a new title but a genuinely stronger command of the role someone already holds. For others, it may mean exploring a sideways move, building capability in a different area, or preparing for a future leadership opportunity, which is exactly what our Future Leaders programme is designed to support. All of those pathways are valid. What matters is that we are having honest conversations about where we are now, where we want to go, and what support, experience or development might help us get there.

Part of our role in Learning and Development is to make learning easier to find, easier to access and easier to connect to real development needs. The BGIS Academy has been designed to support people at different stages of their development, whether they are new to their role and undertaking compliance training, building confidence in their current position with the FM Diploma, working through real workplace moment like the difficult conversation course, or developing leadership capability through programmes like Future Leaders. It will never capture every learning opportunity available in the world, and nor should it. There are countless ways to learn. But it provides a starting point, aligned to the capability framework, to help people think about what they need now and what they may need next.

My encouragement is simple: make learning part of the way we work, not something separate from it. Create space for meaningful conversations. Revisit your goals regularly. Seek out opportunities to build capability in ways that are relevant to your role, your industry and your future aspirations. Ask yourself what you want to keep building, what support you need, and what learning could help you feel more confident, capable and prepared.

Lifelong learning is not about constantly chasing the next thing. It is about staying open, staying curious and recognising that development is part of how we continue to do meaningful work, support our teams and grow in ways that matter to us.

Chantelle CoxHead of Learning & Capability, BGIS Asia Pacific

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In-Flight Recycling Program for Virgin Australia

Sami Reisfeld — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:42:49 +0000

BGIS | HFM is working in partnership with our client Virgin Australia with their in‑flight recycling program. Ever wondered what happens to your can or bottle after your flight touches down? Across the airline’s network, in‑flight waste adds up fast.

As part of their Project Zero, Virgin Australia is working to divert more waste from landfill, and one of the biggest opportunities is in‑flight recycling.

Launched in Perth, the in‑flight recycling program is now expanding to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

There are unique challenges within aviation environments that must be overcome. We worked closely with the Virgin Australia team to effectively manage the risks.

Space to conduct the work is essential, due to waste streams requiring additional space, a feature particularly lacking both onboard and airside. For example, separating containers from general waste requires an extra set of bins, extra bin liners and a place to store these bin liners on carts. Containers can also not be damaged, dented or crushed to remain eligible for Container Deposit Scheme recycling. Safety and controls for Foreign Object Debris (FOD) is vital, with every decision from bin types, to locations, bin lids, weights, bin liner type and the collection methodology all subject to a FOD risk assessment.

Importantly, security is a key consideration. As a pioneer in inflight container recycling, Virgin Australia was required to develop new airside supply chains, obtaining security identification passes, airside driving licences and vehicle permits with partners who had no prior experience in the aviation space.

Over 150,000 eligible containers have been diverted from landfill through the program to date, and it is just getting started. For further information please contact Kirk Darnell, Facilities Consultant, BGIS | HFM e: kirk.darnell@hfmassets.com.au

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