Protecting IT Infrastructure in Modern Estates with Scenariio
News & Insights
Planning for Failure: When Your IT Infrastructure is the One Most Worth Protecting.
Modern IT infrastructure is more resilient than it has ever been. Networks are faster, hardware is more reliable and systems are increasingly monitored in real time. Yet outages, performance issues and failures still happen, often in well-designed, professionally installed environments.
Published
Monday, 2nd February 2026
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News & Insights
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Insights
That is precisely why IT infrastructure is the one asset most worth protecting.
Where things still go wrong
Even in high-quality estates, issues tend to fall into a few predictable categories.
- Complexity and interdependence: IT, AV and smart building systems are now tightly connected. A fault in one layer, whether power, network switching, firmware or cloud services, can cascade quickly across multiple services.
- Change over time: Buildings evolve. Tenants change, layouts are reworked, devices are added and removed. Documentation drifts, and small configuration changes accumulate until something breaks under load.
- Silent degradation: Many failures are not sudden. Performance drops, packet loss increases or devices fall out of compliance. These issues often go unnoticed until they affect users or tenants.
- External factors: Power fluctuations, ISP issues, supplier outages and cyber incidents can all impact otherwise well-maintained systems, particularly across multi-site estates.
The risk for estates and landlords
For organisations that own and operate their estates, downtime directly affects productivity, safety and reputation. For landlords and managing agents, the risks extend further.
Service disruption can breach lease expectations, affect multiple tenants at once and place additional pressure on facilities and property teams. In the UK, this sits alongside rising expectations around building performance, resilience and compliance.
Why support and maintenance matter
Support and Maintenance focuses on reducing the likelihood, impact and duration of issues when they inevitably occur. A structured service provides proactive monitoring, faster fault identification, clear ownership across IT, AV and smart systems and accurate documentation as environments evolve. It ensures infrastructure is actively looked after throughout its lifecycle.
Planning for continuity, not perfection
No infrastructure is immune to failure. What matters is having the right people, processes and visibility in place before an issue becomes a disruption. When infrastructure underpins every building service, tenant experience and compliance obligation, it becomes the asset most worth protecting, not because it is weak, but because so much depends on it.
Protect the infrastructure you rely on
Our Support and Maintenance services provide proactive monitoring, clear ownership and ongoing care across IT, smart building and AV systems. Designed for estates that need confidence, continuity and control.
Talk to us about Support and Maintenance annual packs, contact us: info@scenariio.com
This article was originally published on our LinkedIn profile on 2nd February (click here to read the article) .
Scenariio Recertified as Approved HellermannTyton Cabling Installer
News & Insights
Scenariio Recertified as Approved HellermannTyton Cabling Installer.
The recertification reinforces Scenariio’s commitment to delivering high-quality, standards-compliant infrastructure for modern workplaces and smart buildings across the UK.
Published
Wednesday, 3rd December 2025
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News & Insights
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News
Scenariio has successfully renewed its status as an approved and authorised installer for HellermannTyton cabling systems, a certification the company has held since 2023.
As a certified installer, Scenariio is authorised to provide a 25-year manufacturer warranty on HellermannTyton cabling installations. This warranty provides building owners, developers and facilities teams with long-term assurance that the underlying network infrastructure supporting their building systems is designed and installed to perform reliably over decades.
The backbone of smart buildings
Cabling infrastructure forms the foundation of every connected building. From core network connectivity to smart building platforms, AV systems, wireless networks and IoT devices, the performance of digital infrastructure depends on robust, well-designed cabling.
In modern commercial environments, where buildings are expected to support hybrid working, high-bandwidth collaboration tools and increasingly sophisticated building technologies, the quality of the physical infrastructure has become more critical than ever.
By working with trusted partners such as HellermannTyton, Scenariio ensures that the infrastructure supporting these systems meets recognised industry standards and is built with long-term performance in mind.
HellermannTyton’s infrastructure expertise
HellermannTyton is a global manufacturer specialising in network connectivity and cable management solutions, widely used across enterprise networks, data centres and smart building environments. Their structured cabling systems are designed to support high-speed data transmission, reliability and scalability as technology demands evolve.
For commercial buildings and large estates, HellermannTyton’s infrastructure portfolio typically includes:
Structured cabling systems
Category 6A copper and fibre optic cabling solutions designed to support high-speed data networks, PoE deployments and future bandwidth requirements.
Fibre connectivity
High-performance fibre infrastructure for backbone connectivity between floors, comms rooms and buildings, supporting modern network speeds and resilience.
Patch panels and connectivity hardware
High-density patching solutions that simplify network management and allow facilities teams to scale infrastructure as building requirements change.
Cable management and containment
Systems that maintain safe, organised and compliant installations in comms rooms, risers and data cabinets, helping protect network performance and simplify maintenance.
Pre-terminated and modular solutions
Infrastructure designed to accelerate deployment while maintaining consistent quality and performance standards.
Together, these solutions provide the physical foundation for a wide range of building technologies, including wireless networks, collaboration systems, security platforms, building management systems and IoT devices.
Designed for long-term performance
One of the key benefits of using a certified cabling partner is the ability to deliver manufacturer-backed assurance. The 25-year HellermannTyton warranty reflects the durability and standards compliance of the infrastructure installed, ensuring that networks continue to support evolving technologies without costly reinstallation.
For building owners and operators, this means confidence that the underlying infrastructure can support:
- High-density wireless deployments
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices such as sensors and smart lighting
- Building operating systems and IoT integrations
- High-bandwidth collaboration and AV platforms
- Future digital upgrades across the building lifecycle
- Supporting future-ready buildings
As demand grows for smarter, more connected workplaces, infrastructure decisions made today have a direct impact on the performance and flexibility of buildings tomorrow.
Scenariio’s continued partnership with HellermannTyton ensures clients benefit from trusted infrastructure, certified installation standards and long-term reliability.
With the recertification now confirmed, Scenariio looks forward to continuing to deliver robust, future-ready digital infrastructure for organisations across the UK.
Scenariio joins the PoE Consortium
News & Insights
Scenariio Joins the PoE Consortium.
UK firms could be wasting thousands of pounds on electrical installation costs because they are unaware of the full range of capabilities of ethernet cables.
Published
Thursday, 20th April 2023
Category
IT Infrastructure
TAGS
POE Lighting, Smart lighting, Workspace analytics, Sustainability
As a country, the UK has fallen behind other nations in its understanding of how the cables can be used to a greater extent by carrying electricity as well as data to devices with increased power demands such as LED lights, security cameras, AV and monitors.
Earlier this year we became only the second UK firm to join the Power over Ethernet Consortium, a global industry trade group set up last year to promote PoE.
Its aim is to advance PoE education, advocacy and to share best practice so that more counties can learn about the ways in which it can save them money and reduce their carbon footprint.
PoE has been used for years to power telephones and laptops and is increasingly being used in smart building schemes to enable owners and operators to monitor and control heating, lighting and security via devices linked to the internet.
It saves money because there is no longer a need for a separate power source to each device, meaning there is no need to employ an electrician, no need for extra wiring, no need for safety approval and no need to modify building plans.
The likelihood of an LED light failure is also reduced as drivers – the component at the back of the bulb which regulates the power – are removed and now sit in a centrally accessible comms room, improving the longevity of the LED and making it easier to replace light fixtures.
The use of PoE technology is fast-growing, especially in the USA and other countries around the world including India, Germany, Mexico and the Middle East.
However, Rob Pritchard, our managing director, says while the rest of the world is waking up to its benefits – and despite the RJ45 plug found on the end of each PoE cable being a globally accepted power supply – the UK is lagging behind.
He said: “It is accepted that a traditional telephone cable provides electricity for the telephone as well as carrying the signal, and this same cable can power a number of devices at the same time, including LED lights, sensors and security cameras, without a separate AC supply.
“Installing only one type of cable on one infrastructure network from a central comms room reduces complexity and opportunities for issues. This makes it much more flexible and cost-effective and saves significantly on installation and cabling, but for some reason the take-up is still relatively low in the UK.
“We want to change that, which is why we’ve joined the PoE Consortium. It’s still early days but there are some major names involved and we’re very pleased to be lining up alongside them.
“In the low-carbon, post-lockdown world, smart buildings are the future and if UK companies are to deliver the cost savings and sustainability strategies they’re being required to achieve, then innovations such as power over ethernet is vital to their chances of doing so.”
Established in 2013, we have installed smart building technology, including intelligent lighting, integrated and supplementary sensor networks, and audio-visual systems, at premises across the UK, helping its customers reduce their carbon footprint, lower operational costs and create a working environment that boosts productivity and well-being.
Our clients include Gymshark, Severn Trent Water and Tarmac, as well as, closer to home, Derby College and the Chocolate Factory, home to the popular Bustler Market street food event.
FAQ
The consortium brings together manufacturers, consultants and integrators to shape how PoE is deployed globally. This includes developing guidance, sharing real-world use cases and helping align the market around consistent standards and approaches.
Key considerations include network capacity, power requirements and how existing infrastructure can be adapted. Early planning is important to ensure the network can support both data and power delivery at scale across multiple building systems.
PoE enables a shift towards a more IT-led infrastructure. Instead of separate systems for power and data, organisations can manage devices through a single network, making spaces easier to reconfigure and systems easier to maintain.
Beyond installation savings, PoE can reduce maintenance complexity, improve system visibility and support quicker fault resolution. Centralising components such as drivers also simplifies upgrades and ongoing management.
PoE is moving beyond low-power devices into wider building applications as standards improve. This will support more use cases across smart buildings, helping organisations create more connected, data-driven and energy-efficient environments.
Lighting the Way to a Sustainable Future
News & Insights
Here + Now: smart lighting integration for a BREEAM Outstanding building.
Helping a landmark Reading office development meet its sustainability ambitions.
Published
Tuesday, 4th April 2023
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News & Insights
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News
Here + Now is a major office refurbishment at Thames Valley Park in Reading, created from two former Microsoft buildings into a design-led workplace campus focused on sustainability, wellbeing and long-term performance.
The development set a high benchmark for sustainable commercial office space. With 145,000 sq ft of workspace, net zero carbon credentials and a BREEAM Outstanding rating, Here + Now was designed to support the expectations of modern occupiers while helping the building operate more efficiently.
Scenariio was appointed to support the project through intelligent lighting integration, recommissioning and ongoing support. The result was a low-energy smart lighting system that retained much of the existing infrastructure, reduced waste and gave occupiers greater control over how their spaces are used.
Customer profile: BREEAM Outstanding commercial office campus.
Here + Now is a high-profile office campus in Reading, developed to attract occupiers looking for flexible workspace with strong sustainability, ESG and wellbeing credentials.
The project brought together BauMont Real Estate Capital and V7, with Overbury delivering the office fit-out and design works. The wider refurbishment focused on optimising existing buildings rather than starting again, helping reduce unnecessary waste while creating a workplace designed around people, performance and environmental responsibility.
The campus includes modern workplace amenities, indoor and outdoor fitness areas, cafés and external working spaces, all designed to support tenant experience and long-term occupier appeal.
The challenge: improving building performance while reducing waste.
The project required a lighting system that could support the development’s BREEAM Outstanding ambitions without unnecessary replacement of existing equipment.
For landlords, developers and facilities teams, this is one of the most practical challenges in sustainable refurbishment. A building may already have valuable infrastructure in place, but it needs to be recommissioned, upgraded and integrated so it can support modern workplace expectations.
At Here + Now, the existing intelligent lighting system needed to be brought back into effective use, upgraded with new software and adapted around the redesigned office environment. It also needed to support future tenant requirements, including feature lighting, daylight dimming, remote access and centralised monitoring.
The challenge was not simply to install new lighting. It was to help turn existing lighting infrastructure into a smarter, lower-energy system that supported the building’s sustainability strategy.
The solution: intelligent lighting integration for a smart building.
Scenariio recommissioned the existing intelligent lighting system and upgraded its software as part of the wider refurbishment works.
The team repositioned existing light fittings, replaced emergency lighting and helped bring the system back into operation quickly. This approach reduced the need for unnecessary replacement, helping minimise waste while supporting the project’s environmental goals.
Across the scheme, around 1,000 lights were connected using low voltage ethernet wiring. Each light had a sensor attached, with 23 smartengines supporting the system across 45,000 sq ft of the development.
When new tenants moved into the Now building, Scenariio returned to extend the system further. Remote gateways were installed to allow feature lighting and intelligent lighting to be integrated, including daylight dimming and dashboard-based monitoring.
Further gateways were later added so staff could control feature lighting in different parts of the office through the dashboard. This gave occupiers a more flexible, responsive system while giving building teams greater visibility across the lighting environment.
Smart lighting designed around BREEAM performance.
BREEAM certification assesses the sustainability of buildings across areas including energy, water, waste and transport. For smart buildings, lighting has a practical role to play because it affects energy use, user comfort, operational control and the ability to manage spaces more efficiently.
At Here + Now, Scenariio’s lighting integration supported these priorities by:
- Reducing waste through recommissioning and reuse of existing lighting infrastructure.
- Supporting lower energy use through intelligent lighting controls and daylight dimming.
- Improving visibility through dashboard-based monitoring.
- Enabling greater control for tenants and facilities teams.
- Creating a scalable foundation for future smart building technologies.
The system was designed so the building could evolve over time. Although the lighting continued to use some original hardware, the infrastructure was left with capacity for future additions such as indoor air quality sensors and Bluetooth beacons.
The outcome: a smarter, lower-energy workplace.
Scenariio helped Here + Now transform its lighting from legacy infrastructure into a smart building system aligned with the goals of a BREEAM Outstanding commercial office development.
The work supported the wider sustainability strategy by reducing waste, making better use of existing equipment and improving control across the building. It also helped create a more flexible environment for occupiers, with lighting that could adapt to different spaces, working patterns and tenant requirements.
For landlords and facilities teams, the project shows how intelligent lighting integration can support BREEAM certified buildings without a full rip-out and replacement approach. With the right recommissioning, controls and dashboard integration, existing lighting can become part of a smarter, more sustainable building strategy.
Project highlights.
Client: Here + Now, Thames Valley Park, Reading
Sector: Commercial office refurbishment
Building standard: BREEAM Outstanding
Project focus: Smart lighting integration, recommissioning and energy efficiency
Workspace: 145,000 sq ft campus
Lighting scope: Around 1,000 lights across 45,000 sq ft
Technology: Low voltage ethernet wiring, sensors, smart engines, remote gateways, daylight dimming and dashboard monitoring
Scenariio role: Recommissioning, software upgrade, integration, minor works, maintenance and support
Why sustainable buildings certifications like BREEAM are increasingly important?
For commercial landlords, property owners and facilities teams, BREEAM certification is increasingly linked to asset value, occupier expectations and ESG performance.
Here + Now demonstrates how smart lighting can support those goals in a practical way. By recommissioning and integrating existing lighting infrastructure, Scenariio helped reduce waste, improve control and create a scalable platform for future smart building technologies.
The result is a lower-energy lighting environment that supports both sustainability targets and everyday building operation.
The whole scheme comprised around 1,000 lights, each one powered via low voltage ethernet wiring and each with a sensor attached, and 23 smart engines, with the total area covered by the installation measuring 45,000 sq ft.
With staff demanding flexible working and energy prices affecting companies’ profits, intelligent low energy lighting systems are increasingly in demand by landlords and facilities managers, while the BREEAM rating incentivises property owners to install the kind of high-tech equipment that Scenariio offers.
George Pritchard, technical director at Scenariio, said: “The Here + Now development is one of the most high-profile projects in the Thames Valley and we are very pleased to have got involved.
“V7 has huge plans for the development and at the heart of its campaign is promoting sustainability, combined with a focus on optimising employee health and wellbeing in order to attract and retain talent.
“We minimised waste by not ripping out and replacing the original lighting and the system was quick and easy to recommission, so everything was operational ahead of schedule.
“We’ve helped create a smart building which achieves both of V7’s objectives, but the lighting is just the start. Although everything is running on some of the original hardware, there are no power limitations, so we can add indoor air quality sensors and Bluetooth beacons with just small additions of kit.”
Established in 2013, Scenariio has previously carried out work on behalf of Gymshark, Severn Trent Water, Tarmac, LKAB, Mondelez and Carlsberg Group, among others.
The article was originally published on 4th April 2023 and updated on 24/06/2026.
FAQs: BREEAM smart buildings and intelligent lighting
Smart lighting can support a BREEAM certified building by helping reduce energy demand, improve control and make spaces easier to manage. Features such as daylight dimming, sensors and dashboard monitoring give facilities teams better visibility over lighting performance, while helping occupiers create a more responsive and efficient workplace.
Yes. In many refurbishment projects, existing intelligent lighting infrastructure can be recommissioned, upgraded and integrated rather than fully replaced. This approach can help reduce waste, support sustainability targets and improve building performance without a full rip-out. At Here + Now, Scenariio reused and upgraded much of the existing lighting system as part of the wider refurbishment.
Daylight dimming helps reduce unnecessary energy use by adjusting artificial lighting in response to natural light levels. In commercial buildings, this can support lower energy consumption while maintaining a comfortable working environment. It is especially useful in modern offices where lighting needs to adapt throughout the day.
Lighting dashboards give facilities teams a clearer view of how lighting is operating across a building. They can support easier monitoring, more responsive control and better day-to-day management of different spaces. At Here + Now, dashboard-based monitoring allowed intelligent lighting and feature lighting to be controlled more effectively across tenant areas.
Yes. Smart lighting infrastructure can provide a foundation for wider building technology integration. Once a building has connected lighting, sensors and gateways in place, it can become easier to add other technologies such as indoor air quality sensors, occupancy monitoring and Bluetooth beacons, depending on the system design and building requirements.
Intelligent lighting can help commercial landlords improve energy efficiency, reduce operational waste and create a more attractive workplace for occupiers. For tenants, it supports comfort, flexibility and control. For landlords and facilities teams, it provides a practical route to better building performance and stronger ESG credentials.
Scenariio helps property owners, facilities teams and contractors integrate smart building technology in a practical, scalable way. This can include intelligent lighting, sensors, dashboards, gateways, network infrastructure and ongoing support. For BREEAM focused projects, Scenariio can help align building technology with energy efficiency, operational performance and long-term sustainability goals.