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How a Building Automation System Helps Streamline Operations and Boost Efficiency

How a Building Automation System Helps Streamline Operations and Boost Efficiency

Building automation systems (BAS) are centralized control devices that track several building functions, including lighting, security, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). These systems collect data, assess performance, and make decisions to optimize building operations using sensors, controls, and software. A smart building is created when all these functions are integrated into a single IT-managed network.

Streamlining Operations with Building Automation Systems (BAS)

Traditionally, building systems were managed individually, including heating, air conditioning, lighting, etc. A building automation system merges each siloed function and merges them into a single interface. 

Thermostats control temperature, occupancy sensors control lighting, smoke detectors manage fire alarms, and humidity sensors manage indoor air quality. Combining these systems into a shared network allows for real-time adjustment of multiple systems simultaneously. 

When fully integrated, a building automation system connects individual sensors to work in concert with each other. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to adjust the building systems supports the needs of building occupants and manages operational costs.

Boosting Efficiency with Building Automation Systems

Maximizing building performance is vital to managing operational costs in every building. Building Automation Systems provides the tools necessary to do this.

Building Automation Systems can:

  • streamline operations
  • increase energy efficiency
  • increase occupant comfort
  • reduce energy costs
  • minimize waste
  • optimize facility resources

BAS allows businesses to optimize HVAC systems and adjust lighting based on time of day and occupancy. With all systems managed through a single platform, working schedules can be set and adjusted in real time. 

When fully integrated into buildings, a building automation system can also provide diagnostic tools that continually monitor systems throughout the building. This allows for proactive maintenance and potential system fault detection. BAS can anticipate potential equipment failures and report these to the facility managers for remedial action. 

Using a cloud-based platform, buildings can be monitored 24/7 remotely, and costly business interruptions can be avoided proactively. BAS is built to be scalable. They can be integrated into existing building systems, including energy monitoring and access controls. BAS evaluates and analyzes the health of your facility 24/7.

Technological Features

Integrating building sensors, systems, and smart devices provides real time data that will optimize building performance. Because BAS is Cloud-based, it is imperative that you have a planned cybersecurity policy. This includes isolating the building automation system from the internal network within the building and establishing separate high-speed internet access to monitor the BAS system.

AI is becoming a valuable tool in BAS. Because it continually learns, it can accept vast amounts of information from building systems, identify patterns, and predict issues before they occur. Equipment failure will not only burden business performance, but it will also impact the life of your equipment. 

AI predictions will optimize BAS from historical data and suggest adjustments immediately. As the building automation system implementations grow, the technology evolves. User-centric interfaces and mobile access allow these systems to be monitored from anywhere.

These interfaces help reduce the learning curve for facility managers and allow 24/7 response to correcting irregular behavior anywhere within your facility. One of the most interesting aspects of installing BAS is the flexibility and scalability it allows as your business grows and changes.

AI and machine learning will prompt alterations to existing areas of your business and provide suggestions for new platforms as your business grows and evolves.

Choosing the Right BAS Implementation Partner

The implementation of BAS management tools is unique to every facility. It will be the control center for the entire building and should be thoughtfully planned, it is future-proof and aligns with your workflow. Ease of use is critical to the effectiveness of the system. 

Streamlined Daily Reporting

Identify the most useful data points and develop a daily report to review. Allow for quick customization to match your specific environment and create daily reports for every system and individual location within your building. 

Open Line of Operational Communication

Make sure your team has an open line of communication with the implementation partner. The complexities your partner builds into your BAS will not provide complete and on-time information if they don’t match the needs of your team.

Make sure your team identifies every system and specific needs for each space in the facility to improve communication.

HVAC Design Experience

Your implementation partner should have experience designing a system that brings together building lighting, fire safety systems, alarms, elevator security systems, HVAC, etc. To make AI and machine learning work effectively, every system must be designed to integrate each component into a single report for maximum efficiency. 

Training Programs That Enhance Your Building’s Automation Technology

Your implementation partner should have a robust training program before the system goes live. They should be able to provide specific training for machine operators to engineers who will need to adjust settings, reset configurations, identify failed devices, and regularly troubleshoot when a potential system failure is diagnosed for facility operations.

A building automation system offers big opportunities for increasing employee comfort and energy efficiency and optimizing building performance. Your building’s automation systems will streamline operational efficiency with massive data analytics and on-demand reporting in a centralized structure. With today’s focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, having a smart building will enhance its value and help streamline client relationships, building management, and building occupants for commercial buildings.

Call Unitemp Today to Learn More About Our Building Automation System Options and Processes