Consider Building Automation Systems When Angling to Satisfy a Client’s Hunger for Data
Learn about the latest developments surrounding building automation systems and services.
Hoffman stresses his company is focused solely on the deployment of BAS and related devices, including security equipment. He leaves IT endeavors to the IT pros. Because of a dearth of qualified technicians, an installing security contractor exploring opportunities in building automation is better suited to partner with an established BAS firm, he says.
“Where we do partner is on the software side of the datacenters in the IT world. How do we put our systems onto a virtual machine? How do put out-put into SQL? That is not our forte,” he explains. “Our forte is more in how to make these buildings work as efficiently as they can and analyze the data we have collected that has been put into their systems.”
Open Standards Begin to Take Hold
Once the realm of unwieldy, closed equipment, today’s building automation systems have begun to move away from proprietary standards and protocols toward open architecture platforms that are both backward- and forward-compatible. The trend is beginning to open the door for security integrators to work with the technology.
BAS equipment and other building systems that leverage open standards can be attached to and managed on a shared LAN environment. Doing so is important because it helps create a more cost-efficient solution, Hoffman says. Three common BAS protocols in use are LonWorks, BACnet and Mod-bus. The common pipe that IP delivers is what allows building owners to manage multiple facilities and devices. The openness of IP and common protocols allows system designers to be creative when planning for and building out systems for both new and existing buildings.
And yet proprietary issues remain an all-too-common occurrence in building automation systems, Hoffman laments.
“The problem is manufacturers are finding ways to be more proprietary. As an example, on one of the jobs I am working on right now a manufacturer claims to be BACnet-compliant,” he says. “In the specifications it says BACnet-capable but they didn’t turn it on. There is a fee to turn it on. The owner didn’t know that. Manufacturers are finding ways to pull the wool over some people’s eyes.”
The immense amount of data generated from smart devices within a building automation system is often stored on an organization’s IT infrastructure. Analytics can then be applied to the data to glean operational efficiencies.
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About the Author
Rodney Bosch, Senior Editor
Although Bosch’s name is quite familiar to those in the security industry, his previous experience has been in daily newspaper journalism. Prior to joining SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION in 2006, he spent 15 years with the Los Angeles Times, where he performed a wide assortment of editorial responsibilities, including feature and metro department assignments as well as content producing for latimes.com. Bosch is a graduate of California State University, Fresno with a degree in Mass Communication & Journalism. In 2007, he successfully completed the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association’s National Training School coursework to become a Certified Level I Alarm Technician.
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