The Power of Data Ownership
For the past month on AutomatedBuilldings and Linkedin, I’ve asked the consequential “Why?”
- Why are smart buildings still so dumb?
- Why did Edison blow a massive fuse, and why wasn’t the smart grid ready?
- Why wasn’t the city ready to fight the fire?
- Why don’t critical systems connect when it matters most?
- Why do building owners still accept legacy control systems that lock up their data?
- Why did 10 million LA residents get false evacuation alarms in the middle of the night?
- Why does data check in-but can never leave?
- Why has open source transformed every industry-except buildings?
- Why is AI eating up the world’s energy inside data centers?
- Why are we rushing to answers without asking the consequential questions?
And maybe you’re tired of me asking, “Why?”
But that was the point—to dig into the cracks and expose what’s broken.
Now it’s time to pivot.
Not just to “How do we fix this?” but to “How is it already possible?”
Because the truth is, we don’t need more Hollywood BIMs or Digital Twins that only work in the demo. The real solutions exist.
How 116 Colleges Future-Proofed Their Campuses
- 116 colleges
- 72 districts
- 90M sq. ft. across 5,000+ buildings
All connected through a system that’s owned by the colleges, not a vendor—one that powers other systems such as HVAC maintenance to emergency response.
California’s Community Colleges proved it.
This isn’t a theory. It’s happening.
Now, let’s talk about how more owners can do the same.
California’s Community Colleges Are Proving There’s Another Way.
Since 2011, the California Community Colleges (CCC) have quietly been building a resilient, scalable foundation using the Fusion System, a cloud-native platform that now spans:
- 72 districts (the largest community college system in the U.S.)
- 90M sq. ft. across 5,000+ buildings
- Space inventory, facility condition data, and capital planning
- Real-time connections via APIs
The key? It’s owned by the colleges, not a vendor. When owners control their data, they can connect day-to-day operations with long-term costs and build systems that can adapt—not just perform in demos.
California’s community colleges have achieved this with the Fusion system, a platform designed for not only today’s needs but also decades of future planning.
The Power of Data Ownership
In this short video, see how California’s Community Colleges built a system that prioritizes:
- Data control
- Operational efficiency
- Emergency readiness
Watch the teaser below.
What It Looks Like When It Works
California’s Community Colleges use the Fusion System as the backbone for space inventory, facility data, and capital planning.
It’s more than a database—it’s a foundation for scalable Digital Twins that work in real-world operations and emergencies. The key? The colleges, not a vendor, own it.
When owners control their data, they control their future.
Why This Matters — And What’s Coming Next
The answer to “Why are smart buildings dumb?” often comes down to one thing: owners don’t control the data.
Flashy but fragile systems—built for demos, not disasters—leave campuses vulnerable. California’s Community Colleges flipped that script, using data ownership to unify daily operations, capital planning, and emergency readiness on one platform.
Yet, many facility owners are still stuck in the “Hollywood Digital Twin” cycle:
- Overdesigned BIMs that no one updates
- Dashboards that look good but fail in daily operations
- Locked-down data that can’t adapt
This isn’t just inefficient—it’s a liability.
Some CCC campuses are already using Fusion data for COVID responses and wildfire prep, but many haven’t tapped into its full potential. The foundation is there—owners just need to use it.
When disasters strike, outdated data and vendor-locked systems turn buildings into risks. CCC’s model shows how data ownership changes that.
What’s Coming in This Series:
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be breaking down the biggest challenges facing smart campuses and Digital Twin strategies—and how owners can shift from fragile, vendor-locked systems to flexible, scalable platforms that actually work:
The Power of Foundational Data — How CCC Built a System They Own
Why owning your data isn’t just a perk—it’s the path to long-term resilience.
The Hollywood BIM & Digital Twin
All spotlight, no structure. How “smart” systems fail when owners can’t control or sustain them.
Bridging BIM and Sensors: The Missing Link
Why disconnected data streams cripple smart campuses—and what true integration looks like.
AI, Risk Management & Real-Time Emergency Response
How AI can make buildings smarter, safer, and ready for what’s next.
The Bottom Line:
California’s community colleges didn’t wait for the industry to fix itself. They built their own future. It’s time the rest of us did the same.
