Samsung Electronics and ABB have announced a major partnership to integrate their flagship smart building technologies.
This collaboration connects Samsung's SmartThings Pro with ABB's Ability BuildingPro through a cloud-to-cloud integration. In simple terms, it merges two separate systems—one for building automation and energy management (ABB) and another for IoT devices and user experience (Samsung)—into a single, unified operating platform. This gives building owners a 'single pane of glass' to manage everything, simplifying complex operations across their properties.
So, why is this happening now? The timing is driven by a significant regulatory shift in Europe. First, the European Union's revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) recently came into effect, with a deadline for member states to adopt it by May 29, 2026. This directive makes advanced Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) a legal requirement for non-residential buildings, turning what was once a 'nice-to-have' feature into a compliance-critical necessity. The Samsung-ABB solution arrives just as building owners are urgently seeking ways to meet these new rules.
Second, both companies were technologically ready for this step. Samsung has been enhancing SmartThings Pro for business-to-business (B2B) applications, recently adding AI-driven predictive maintenance for HVAC systems. At the same time, ABB has developed BuildingPro into a versatile, open platform for building operations. Their individual advancements created the perfect foundation for this powerful alliance.
Third, the practical benefits are substantial. The primary goal is to cut energy consumption and operational costs. HVAC systems account for about 40% of a commercial building's energy use. By implementing high-performance controls, savings can reach up to 30% on HVAC energy, which translates to a potential 12% reduction in a building's total energy bill. This is achieved by using AI and real-time data to optimize performance, predict maintenance needs, and manage multiple sites remotely. The system also supports open standards like KNX, making it easier to retrofit older buildings across Europe.
For Samsung, this partnership marks a strategic expansion into the B2B IoT market, moving beyond its well-known consumer electronics and AI-memory chip businesses. For ABB, it solidifies its position as a leader in digital electrification, supported by long-term strategic investors. Together, they are creating a comprehensive solution perfectly timed to meet a new wave of demand for smarter, more efficient, and compliant commercial buildings.
- EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive): An EU regulation aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings to reduce carbon emissions.
- BACS (Building Automation and Control Systems): Technology that automatically controls a building's heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and other systems.
- KNX: A widely used open standard (protocol) for commercial and residential building automation, ensuring that devices from different manufacturers can work together.