'Redefining Industry Standards': RCG's 3-Pronged Approach To Building Automation

Technological features have long been viewed as attraction and retention tools for commercial properties. Now, there’s more to them. 

In addition to multifamily, mixed-use and hospitality end-users demanding advanced tech for a seamless living experience, owners and management teams are now realizing that if they don’t thoughtfully integrate modern technology, they risk lackluster staff productivity and inefficient building performance. This can potentially dent their bottom line, said Sean Edwards, CEO of Rittenhouse Communications Group, or RCG. 

This sentiment is becoming more prevalent across the country, Edwards said. Ownership groups are now proactively integrating building automation solutions into their properties, such as app-based access control, propertywide connectivity, IP surveillance, low-voltage cabling and touchless concierge experiences, he said.

“Many commercial projects have been traditionally designed by consultants,” Edwards said. “But these consultants are often only involved in the design portion, so they’re so far removed from reality by the time the project actually gets going. RCG is redefining industry standards.”

Owners increasingly want a single party to handle the design, bidding and integration of a project — which can be difficult to find in today’s market, Edwards said.  

As a result, RCG is adjusting its strategy and offerings to stay ahead of its clients’ needs, he said.

“The way things were traditionally done leaves too much room for costly mistakes and miscommunication between different parties,” Edwards said. “We’ve divided our offerings into three distinct categories to cater to all of our clients' needs: design-only, design and project management, and turnkey design-build.”

Design-Only

Since RCG’s inception in 2010, the firm has designed low-voltage and security projects of all shapes and sizes across commercial sectors. 

As part of its turnkey service model, design was always included at no separate cost. Now, recognizing that not every client requires a full suite of installation services, it’s expanding its offerings to feature a distinct design service for a fee. Services under this umbrella include schematic designs, construction documents, technology master-planning and preliminary budget estimates.

“We've introduced this paid service as a way to reach those who still want to preserve their competitive bid leverage or who may not need a full suite of design, installation and management services,” Edwards said.

Design And Project Management

This product class includes all the features of its design-only offering but with the additional management component, Edwards said. This includes project management and prioritizing the owner’s interests to ensure their standards are maintained — and that on-site trades are held to that standard.

“We have several national clients, and since we are based in Philadelphia, it doesn’t necessarily make the most sense for RCG to install turnkey services in Texas, California, the Midwest and so on,” he said. “What we can do, however, is manage the local vendors to make sure our client’s standards are being met.”

RCG owns the design and will ensure this vision gets executed as intended. This is a huge game changer from other firms in the space, Edwards said. 

“We do all of the commissioning, training and Day 2 support of the asset while stimulating the local economy by working with local vendors in that market for the low-voltage cabling and 'devicing' of the hardware,” Edwards said. “We’re really dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s, not only in Philadelphia now but nationally.” 

Turnkey Design-Build

Edwards said turnkey design-build is RCG’s most robust service model. This includes the services of its other models as well as installation. This model is designed to accommodate clients across the mid-Atlantic. 

The advantages of RCG’s turnkey design-build service? It provides a single point of accountability and reduces coordination risk, which can prohibit projects from getting done in a timely and cost-effective manner, Edwards said.

“We're only going to be conducting these services in markets that we currently serve, such as Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and North Jersey,” he said. “We already have established teams and can execute in an efficient manner.”

The firm has a system of checks and balances to ensure that what's being deployed is being audited and maintained correctly, he said. RCG works with the client to design a technology standard and roadmap, and its project management team conducts presales design reviews and site visits throughout the project life cycle as well as system commissioning to ensure the client's standard is met, Edwards said.  

“We don’t hold owners hostage with closed technology,” Edwards said. “We’re never going to recommend something where they're stuck with this monthly recurring cost to make their building work. We prioritize open-platform technology that integrates easily across systems without boxing owners into expensive recurring service contracts.”

Edwards emphasized that RCG has always acted as an “owner’s advocate,” with most of its work historically executed directly with the building owner. Other tech integrators in the business typically only get involved with general contractors — and that’s where owners can run into efficiency issues, he said. 

“There’s usually so many parts and pieces trying to link together, and this is when you can end up with system and communication inefficiencies,” Edwards said. “We work directly with building owners from concept through completion. We bring a cohesive, all-in-one approach to the table.”

This article was produced in collaboration between RCG and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.