Born in Spain, with a degree in science and master's in computer & telecommunication, Carlos is a smart building and smart cities expert and is currently leading the smart spaces area in Getronics.
During the last 20 years his focus has been the optimization of processes and infrastructures by leveraging technology to create differentiation for traditional Real Estate, Transport, Healthcare, Retail and Industry business models. He has held different management roles in the IT market, creating new business areas and launching new “Smart” products. In his current position at Getronics, he is orchestrating their business strategy in four big areas (Smart Hospitals, Smart Airports, Smart Offices and Smart Cities) and leading the international expansion throughout the world (Australia, Singapore, LATAM, UK, France, Benelux, Italy, German or Spain).
How did you become involved in the Smart Building industry?
Coming from the software integration field, we started to see many year ago the enormous potential joining IT and OT, new technological trends with robust industrial systems. Looking to integrate hundreds of isolated systems and devices installed inside a building (be that an office, a hospital, an airport, a mall or a sport centre).
What excites you about the Smart building business?
Smart buildings are more than just a collection of IoT devices each of themselves offering benefits. What excites me is how we can reimagine the built environment in so many areas by integrating these devices. Naturally there is a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, but increasingly we are seeing how Smart tech can impact on people’s lives more directly – a patient in a hospital, a passenger in an airport, or an office worker. It starts with improving and reinventing old building stock as well as embracing complex and futuristic projects in the new.
Are there any particular technologies that we should be aware of?
If I have to choose one, then that would have to be Machine Learning. The harnessing of rich sources of data from legacy systems and new IoT devices in buildings, will give us the ability to predict and adjust services in real time to changing needs. For example, we are now using neural network algorithms to learn about HVAC assets behaviours, detecting time series anomalies and then improvements within an airport in Mexico. The opportunity is there to do the same learning with lighting, escalators, lifts or any other building device.
What services does your organisation offer?
We have a dual approach. On the one hand, deploying customized solutions for our clients, using our integration capabilities to connect any security, energy or ancillary system installed inside the building (for example we link systems within a hospital to automatically activate, in sequence, upon the arrival of an Air Ambulance helicopter). We seek out automatization, unified building control and predictability.
In parallel, we recognise companies have specific business goals/needs to be resolved through the use of this technology. We are now seeing a focus shift to a ‘New Normal’ and are creating a suite of “smart products” each of them focused on a specific requirement; reinforcing access control with thermal scanning and mask detection, counting people inside each area or allowing the employees to book a desk or any other facility remotely. People centric solutions are gaining traction like never before.
Are people aware of regulations that they will need to comply with in the near future?
People are especially aware of security regulation and compliance needed, especially around GDPR. For example, face recognition or social distance measurement can be very useful but they must be managed according with the law. The Green agenda will continue to be a focus with regulations to reduce the energy consumption being crucial. e.g. EU directives or ASHRAE standards are some good examples.
What are the benefits of a smart building?
Efficiency, control, user engagement and flexibility. As an example, we are enabling property managers to create control around tenants use of building services in an easier ways (not just energy but also around facilities usage), and by doing so what allow them to offer more flexible services to their tenants based on pure consumptions instead of fixed prices.
Who has been the biggest influence in your career?
My father´s tenacity has always been a source of inspiration to me. That said I have many good managers and colleagues in my life. People working in our teams have been extremely inspirational.
What question are you most often asked in your business life?
What are your pain points now? Our client’s answers are fundamental to create value for them. Our colleagues’ answers allow us to create a better team.
What are the best/worst things about your job?
The best, the flexibility, the continuous knowledge enrichment and the possibility to work with people from different countries, cultures and languages. The worst, not have enough time to do more things.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?
To be open minded
What living person do you admire and why?
I admire many people doing fantastic things for society, although I don’t like to “idolize" anybody. Everybody has flaws and virtues.
Where would you most like to live?
There are many great places to live, from my family origin place in Asturias to the faraway Australia.
What is your favourite book?
“The Leopard” (Il Gatopardo) from Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
How do you relax?
Writing short history essays
What sports team do you support?
Real Madrid
What is your favourite desert island disc?
I'd bring the play list that my daughter made for me with my favourite songs (from Milanes and Journey to Rosalia or Residente)
What is your ideal holiday?
Traveling with my family.