Spar Austria implements smart solutions for facility management technology from specialised provider Loxone. The supermarket operator deploys technology from the internationally active Austrian company to control technical systems and devices in stores. Together with the technology provider, the retail company has adapted Loxone’s tried-and-tested smart home system for commercial use.
Following successful test operations in Upper Austria, Spar, together with service provider Placon, realised its first Eurospar store fully automated with Loxone technology in Brixlegg, Tyrol, in December last year. Now, the retailer has implemented the system also in a Spar store in Munderfing, Upper Austria. In the next step, the company will equip all in 2024 newly built or reopened Spar stores as well as its head office in Salzburg with the technology.
The measure is aimed to integrate various isolated solutions into a unified system and optimise energy management. This will relieve store employees as well as facility management.
Smart technology optimises systems operation at stores
Loxone automates operations of devices and systems in a store. This includes, for example, indoor and outdoor lighting, window shading, temperature regulation and ventilation control. The system also monitors refrigerators, reverse vending machines, photovoltaic systems and charging management for electric vehicles in the car parks.
At the heart of the system is Loxone’s Miniserver, which connects all components in the intelligent building. It provides numerous interfaces to integrate various sensors and control elements in a store. Centralised energy and system monitoring as well as integration of weather stations and a 48-hour weather service make it possible to control connected systems in an optimal energy-efficient manner.
Software controls all functions
The Loxone app provides a complete overview of all data and functions of the various systems. The retailer can use it to plan, monitor and customise processes. It runs on Android devices, iPhones, tablets, smart watches and PCs. The software also makes it possible to react and intervene remotely from the head office. This allows facility management to support store employees in the event of a malfunction.
