Let’s start a self-experiment. Think about where digital technology and data are used at the Munich Airport Business Park (MABP) in Hallbergmoos. You will probably first think of the numerous digital companies on site. However, you are less likely to think about the fact that data is also used in unexpected places – for example in office buildings. To give you an idea of just how much IT is used in a modern office building today, we invite you to take a virtual tour of Hekuma GmbH’s new company headquarters.
Hekuma GmbH is a leading system manufacturer in the field of high-performance automation of injection molding processes for medical and automotive technology as well as the consumer goods industry. The company employs around 180 people and has more than 45 years of experience. When it came to building a new company headquarters with a production area of 11,000 square meters in the MABP, it was clear that the building had to have the latest features. Safety, energy efficiency and comfort are of particular importance. This can be guaranteed by central control of the key processes, so that the responsible persons are notified directly in the event of a fault and the fault is displayed visually via the monitoring program.
From burglary and fire to cyber attacks: security is the most important factor
What exactly is a digital office building? In the area of external IT, for example, a special infrastructure is required in order to communicate directly with the manufacturer and use cloud services. This is realized by an Internet line with fail-safe operation, i.e. a second line, ideally with a second building feed. A dedicated MPLS line to the parent company is also important, for example to be able to use software that is located there in the central data center. Internal IT technology, on the other hand, regulates access rights for employees who are only allowed to enter certain areas such as assembly halls, offices or the server room. Only the fire department has access to all rooms. Furthermore, the building is protected by digital technology against burglary, vandalism or damage, for example by truck traffic on the premises or fire, specifically by active monitoring systems. The IT infrastructure also includes the entire hardware and software landscape as well as all structural measures to be able to use certain components and software. Digital technology in the form of permanently installed technical systems and measures is also used to supply the building with electricity, water, gas and heat.
IT must be taken into account even before a modern office is built
Of course, the installation of such technical measures requires good planning. For access control, for example, it had to be clarified for which doors a power cable was required to control a motorized lock and for which offline fittings were sufficient. It was also a challenge to decide which technology was most suitable for the network technology. Most important for all processes: qualified personnel from IT, security, fire protection and building management as well as experienced manufacturers and suppliers who also provide resources and monitor processes.
Of course, installing all these measures comes at a price. The raised floor, air conditioning, fire detection and extinguishing system, early fire detection, monitoring, server racks, temperature sensors, hardware server systems and network components, i.e. the construction of the data center, cost almost 150,000 euros. Several hundred terabytes of data volume are also required for these huge amounts of data. However, this will create a modern, secure, efficient and comfortable office building that will enable all employees to have a pleasant working day.
Image material © MABP, photographer: Quirin Leppert
