Smart buildings are structures that are run by a programmed, computerized intelligent network of electronic devices that monitor and control electro-mechanical systems in a building, such as lighting, heating, cooling, etc...

The intent is to create an intelligent building with reduced energy and maintenance costs. Emerging standards are enabling data sharing between building systems as well as with other business applications, improving efficiency and real-time control over building operating costs.

As the management of BAS (Building Automated Systems) is likely to increasingly fall to IT, these systems have begun to migrate to more open IT infrastructures in much the same way that telephone systems and IT networks have converged.