The decision to implement new technology often meets a common internal roadblock: the technical team, according to an opinion by Imre-Gustav Vellamaa of R8 Technologies.
As Estonian retail veteran Ants Vasar noted, delegating the choice of "when" to launch to those managing the systems often results in indefinite postponement. Despite this, the shift toward PropTech is inevitable for market leaders. Viru Center, for instance, became the first Estonian mall to deploy AI-powered solutions for HVAC control in 2018, optimizing indoor climates while simultaneously reducing energy consumption.
To successfully transition, management must look beyond the lack of time and address specific bottlenecks through a structured framework.
Identifying the bottlenecks
The primary hurdle is rarely technical; it is the human element. Resistance to change, fear of the unknown, and a reluctance to take responsibility for new systems are the hardest obstacles to overcome. Before implementation, companies must prioritize which challenges need solving and identify suitable technical solutions.
Risk management framework
Once a solution is identified, four key risk areas must be evaluated:
● Organisational: Stakeholders must be identified and their capabilities assessed. It is essential to determine if the team requires external support and whether the incentives for adoption outweigh the perceived risks to job security or control.
● Technological: While isolating systems may seem secure, it is no longer viable in a connected market. Security must be a continuous evolution of internal regulations and partner certifications. Furthermore, new technologies must integrate with existing hardware, such as using footfall data to feed AI energy models.
● Financial: Managers must calculate the expected ROI and determine if technology fees can be shared with tenants based on cost savings or added value.
● Legal: Contracts must clearly define the terms for continuing, modifying, or terminating cooperation with the provider.
Performance in practice
The Sopot Marriott Resort & Spa in Poland illustrates the practical benefits of this transition. Andrzej Tomszak, Technical Manager, Sopot Marriott Resort & Spa, said, "Initially, our biggest worry was the unknown—we didn’t know what impact AI Jenny would have. Handing over control to AI Jenny was a major step, and we were unsure how it would perform in a live environment".
Following the implementation, the shift in workload was significant. Andrzej Tomszak, Technical Manager, Sopot Marriott Resort & Spa, said, "It’s made my work easier. AI Jenny handles continuous monitoring and optimisation, which saves manual effort. It frees me to focus on strategic decisions instead of daily fine-tuning".
