From sensor to business value without unnecessary intermediaries

When EcoGuard set out to take the next step in smart buildings, the goal was not to introduce yet another gateway. It was about creating a platform with long-term viability, rapid adaptability, and the ability to deliver real value to both property owners and residents. The result was Air Portal – a digital hub that connects the building ecosystem from sensor to screen, transforming data into actionable insights.

HiQ was involved throughout the entire journey, from hardware-level communications and system architecture to design, user experience, and the finished service. The partnership with EcoGuard was characterised by close collaboration at every stage, which proved to be a key success factor.

Client: Ecoguard
Industry: Real Estate and PropTech
Solution Areas: Connected Products and IoT, Software Development, UX/Design

Smart buildings require more than smart hardware

EcoGuard helps property owners and housing companies collect, analyse, and utilise data from their buildings. However, as the number of sensors, meters, and communication protocols continues to grow, it is no longer enough to rely on technology that simply works today.

The solution must be able to adapt as requirements, standards, and user needs evolve – without requiring someone to visit every property to replace hardware.

Air Portal – the next step in smart buildings

This is where Air Portal was born.

Built on an open architecture, the solution acts as a digital hub within the building. Data is collected from a wide range of meters and sensors before being transmitted for analysis, visualisation, and billing within EcoGuard’s Curves platform.

At the same time, the gateway has been designed to evolve over time through over-the-air (OTA) updates, eliminating the need to replace the underlying hardware.

As a result, Air Portal is far more than a gateway. It is a future-ready platform for connected buildings.

One team delivering the entire solution

To develop a solution that would perform across the entire value chain, HiQ assembled a cross-functional team with expertise in radio communications, systems architecture, software engineering, and UX design. Together with EcoGuard, the team developed every layer of the solution, from connected hardware through to the interface users interact with every day.

Communication with the sensors was designed for real-world conditions. Concrete walls, basements, and signal interference are everyday challenges in buildings, and the solution needed to remain reliable even in the most demanding environments.

At the same time, a flexible software architecture was developed, supporting secure data storage, backend services, and continuous updates. In parallel, HiQ’s designers created intuitive user journeys and a web interface that makes configuration and monitoring straightforward in day-to-day operations.

Having the same team involved throughout the delivery process resulted in shorter decision-making paths, faster development cycles, and a shared understanding across hardware, backend systems, and user experience.

Designed for growth, built for change

Together, EcoGuard and HiQ have created a product where data collection, analysis, and billing are seamlessly integrated into a single, coherent solution. At the same time, the platform retains the flexibility to support new services and requirements as they emerge.

For EcoGuard’s customers, this means greater control over energy and resource consumption, better-informed decision-making, and a technology platform that is already prepared for the next generation of digital buildings.

For HiQ, the project is yet another example of what can be achieved when technology, design, and business expertise come together within the same team.