Staying in control today while preparing for tomorrow
For decades, digital transformation in real estate has focused on collecting more data. Today, I believe the conversation needs to change.
The challenge is no longer whether organisations have access to information. Most already do. The real question is whether they can turn that information into better decisions.
For investors, asset managers and developers, success increasingly depends on staying in control of today’s portfolio while making confident decisions about tomorrow. In my view, that is where the next generation of real estate technology must deliver the greatest value.
Staying in control is about more than visibility
When we talk about helping organisations stay in control, we mean far more than providing an overview of buildings, budgets or financial performance.
Understanding today’s position is essential—but it is only the starting point.
The real challenge begins when organisations ask strategic questions. Where should capital be allocated? Which assets should be repositioned? Which developments deserve further investment? How will today’s decisions influence portfolio performance five or even ten years from now?
These are not reporting challenges. They are decision-making challenges.
Historically, many organisations have relied on spreadsheets to model future scenarios. While flexible, those models become increasingly difficult to manage as portfolios grow and investment decisions become more sophisticated. Today’s market demands structured scenario modelling, stress testing and financial analysis that support confident, evidence-based decisions.
“The challenge is no longer collecting more data. The challenge is turning that data into better decisions.”
— Klaas Bosma, Chief Revenue Officer, Planon Real Estate
Better portfolio performance starts with better decisions
For me, portfolio performance is not measured only by returns. It is measured by the quality of the decisions that created those returns.
Technology should therefore do more than organise information. It should help organisations compare scenarios, understand the assumptions behind investment decisions and learn from completed projects.
If an investment reaches completion several years after the original decision was made, organisations should be able to revisit that decision, understand what changed and apply those lessons to future opportunities.
That ability to connect past decisions with future strategy is becoming increasingly valuable as portfolios become larger, more dynamic and more complex.
At portfolio level, every decision influences another—whether allocating equity, introducing debt, prioritising developments or balancing financial objectives with sustainability targets. Managing that complexity through disconnected models is becoming increasingly unrealistic. Purpose-built platforms provide the structure needed to support consistent, informed decision-making across the entire portfolio.
Data quality remains the foundation
Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry, and commercial real estate is no exception. Yet I believe one principle will remain constant: confidence begins with trusted data.
AI already plays an important role in validating, cleaning and standardising information, allowing organisations to work with higher-quality datasets more efficiently than ever before.
However, investment decisions require more than intelligent automation. Financial models, discounted cash flow calculations and valuation methodologies must remain transparent, consistent and fully traceable.
That is why I see AI as an enhancement to professional expertise rather than a replacement for it. Better technology should strengthen judgement—not replace it—and always be built upon reliable, validated information.
“AI can enhance professional expertise, but confident decision-making will always begin with transparent, trusted data.”
— Klaas Bosma, Chief Revenue Officer, Planon Real Estate
Why the UK is the right next step
Building on our experience supporting real estate organisations across Continental Europe, the UK is a natural next step for Planon Real Estate because many of the principles that underpin our platform already underpin the market itself.
Discounted cash flow methodologies are deeply embedded within UK commercial real estate, creating strong alignment with our approach to investment analysis and portfolio planning. By combining factual building information with market assumptions, tenant behaviour and financial variables, organisations can generate the insights needed to support investment decisions and long-term value creation.
Supported by Planon’s existing UK presence and the wider Schneider Electric ecosystem, we believe this provides a strong foundation for helping investors, asset managers and developers remain in control—both today and tomorrow.
Ultimately, I believe the future of real estate will not belong to the organisations with the most data.
It will belong to those that combine trusted data, informed decision-making and the ability to stay in control—today while preparing confidently for tomorrow.
About Planon Real Estate
Planon Real Estate is Planon’s dedicated business line for commercial and residential real estate organisations that want to stay in control today and tomorrow. Built on deep industry expertise and strengthened through the acquisition of Reasult, COOR, and control IT, Planon Real Estate combines operational insight with forward-looking intelligence. By unifying Development Management, Portfolio & Asset Management, and Project Control, Planon Real Estate enables organisations to understand their current portfolio, anticipate future developments, and bridge long-term strategy with daily execution. The result is full control across the entire real estate lifecycle – from strategic planning and scenario analysis to projects, operations, and performance monitoring.
