Driving Smart Buildings Forward: Kal Shadam on IoT Unplugged
The latest episode of IoT Unplugged (Season 7, Episode 6) features our own Kal Shadam, SVP Sales EMEA at EnOcean, in conversation with the IoT Insider. He´s looking at the technologies and trends shaping the next generation of smart buildings — from energy harvesting and sustainability to cybersecurity and hybrid workspaces.
The Forces Driving Smart Building Growth
When asked about what’s driving momentum in the smart building sector, Kal highlights three main factors:
- Regulation and ESG Compliance – New policies such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and ESG reporting requirements are pushing organizations to monitor and improve building performance.
- Operational Efficiency – Companies are looking to do more with less, optimizing energy use, HVAC operation, and space management based on real-time data rather than static schedules.
- The Rise of Hybrid Work – Flexible work models have made occupancy analytics essential. By understanding how space is used, businesses can “right-size” their office environments, reduce costs, and improve the workplace experience.
As Kal puts it: “We’re not trying to take away desks — we’re helping organizations understand how they use space, so they can optimize it and make smarter, data-driven decisions.”
Technology Enablers: Making Data Work Harder
At the heart of smart buildings lies data — and the sensors that generate it. EnOcean technology provides that granularity, but simplifying deployment and integration is essential. Traditionally, collecting sensor data required installing additional IoT gateways, which added cost, wiring, and cybersecurity risks. EnOcean takes a different approach — leveraging existing Wi-Fi infrastructure.
Through partnerships with HPE Aruba Networking and Cisco, EnOcean enables its sensors to communicate securely across a building’s existing network. A simple USB radio dongle transforms access points into data receivers — dramatically simplifying deployment. “From an IT perspective, this approach is much more secure,” Kal explains. “It’s fully compliant with an organization’s existing network policies and doesn’t introduce new vulnerabilities.” This plug-and-play model also accelerates rollouts — simply scan a QR code on the sensor, connect via the Wi-Fi network, and start collecting actionable data in minutes.
Cybersecurity and the Future of Connected Buildings
Cybersecurity remains a key consideration for any IoT deployment. Kal highlights how minimizing third-party gateways and leveraging existing IT infrastructure reduces the attack surface while keeping control firmly in the hands of corporate IT teams.
As buildings become smarter and more connected, this collaboration between operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) will be critical to ensuring both efficiency and security.
Looking Ahead
From sustainability to cybersecurity, the smart building revolution is accelerating — and energy harvesting technology sits at its core. By removing batteries, simplifying deployment, and supporting open interoperability, EnOcean is enabling organizations to build smarter, greener, and more adaptable spaces.
Listen to the full conversation with Kal Shadam on IoT Unplugged to hear more about the technologies powering the future of intelligent buildings.
