The industrial and logistics sector is facing a digital reckoning; once viewed as a secondary concern, technology in industrial real estate has now become mission-critical. Recent research WiredScore conducted with Analytiqa reveals the reality: 90% of businesses say their operations depend on reliable digital connectivity, and 70% have experienced costly delays due to poor infrastructure in the past year.
Why digital connectivity is mission-critical in industrial real estate
Posted:
7 / 2 / 2025
Tagged:
90%
of businesses say their operations depend on reliable digital connectivity
70%
have experienced costly delays due to poor infrastructure in the past year
In a world driven by supply chain efficiency and real-time data, digital downtime is no longer an inconvenience, it’s an operational liability.
This shift is driving occupiers to become increasingly selective. They’re no longer just looking for physical space, they want digitally enabled environments that future-proof their business. From high-speed fiber and 5G to robust cybersecurity and IoT capability, modern tenants expect a high-tech backbone that can scale with their needs.
And they’re willing to pay for it. Half of industrial occupiers say they would invest up to 10% more in a space that guarantees digital readiness from day one. For landlords and developers, this presents a powerful opportunity: differentiate by delivering tech-forward buildings or risk falling behind to more agile competitors.
50%
of industrial occupiers willing to invest up to 10% more in a space that guarantees digital readiness from day one
49%
of respondents currently demand cybersecurity features, this number is expected to climb steeply in the next few years
However, a major disconnect remains. When asked who is responsible for providing technology infrastructure in industrial assets, the industry was split 50/50 between landlords and occupiers. This ambiguity opens the door for proactive owners to add value by bridging that gap, and that’s exactly where WiredScore comes in.
WiredScore’s certification is built to provide clarity, performance assurance, and peace of mind for both landlords and tenants. Our research-backed scorecard prioritizes features that occupiers value most—resilience, speed, and performance—over flashier, less impactful trends. For example, while smart building features rank low on current occupier wishlists, two-thirds expect resilient infrastructure like backup internet, and interest in cybersecurity infrastructure is poised to grow rapidly.
With major retail breaches at companies like M&S and Harrods making headlines, cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue anymore—it’s a leasing concern. While only 49% of respondents currently demand cybersecurity features, this number is expected to climb steeply in the next few years.
And the tech evolution is accelerating. In the next two-five years, mainstream adoption is expected for advanced technologies like automation, AI, and robotics. These innovations aren’t just bandwidth-hungry—they require integrated, scalable digital ecosystems. Facilities that can’t deliver that level of performance will find themselves increasingly obsolete.
The implications are clear: investing in technology for industrial real estate is no longer optional.
It’s a competitive necessity. Tenants want facilities that evolve with them. Those that fall short will miss out on premium tenants—and possibly entire lease cycles.