Building analytics software is a solution that has the capability to unify numerous stand-alone automation systems. When integrated with a work order management system the building analytics software can seamlessly identify, prioritize, assign accountability and track the resolution to an operating deficiency. Large buildings contain a wealth of data within their various systems and equipment, however this data is only useful if it is captured and turned into actionable information.
A building analytics platform enhances your Building Management System (BMS) by providing insightful data that can be used to optimize equipment performance and lifespan, remove inefficiencies and reduce energy consumption and cost.
First recognized in the 1990’s, Building Analytics has made a profound difference in the ability for Industrial and Commercial facilities to measure every deficiency in mechanical and electromechanical systems. Once installed the systems can be used to measure the health of your entire building and through machine learning send alerts to the BMS. The best BAS providers will provide regular upgrades to the software making it an integral part of your facility.
Over the last several years, HVAC technology has reached new pinnacles for providing the ultimate building management solutions.
Building Analytics Applications are generally cloud-based solutions that link building automation systems and building analytics to provide:
A traditional building management system will generally share information about connected equipment but lacks the ability to deliver advanced analytics. Today, building analytics applications continuously captures and prioritizes data from all connected systems.
The collected data allows an in-depth view of your entire system 24/7.
It also allows instant reporting of unexpected changes in energy consumption, allowing your team to make adjustments that provide optimum air quality throughout your facility. Some current building analytic applications also provide machine learning capabilities, allowing for performance reporting based upon historical patterns throughout the building and delivering solutions to maintenance teams based on these historical performance analytics.
A connected building enables a sophisticated data analytics engine, data visualization, and the implementation of Fault Detection and Diagnostics. The information produced by a connected building enables team members to easily compare the performance of similar buildings and systems to identify opportunities for improvement.
You can also detect operational problems and poor programming and solve complex system problems by examining operational data. A connected building has the platforms and professional expertise to ensure it runs efficiently at all times.
A building analytics system for mechanical systems is designed to monitor and analyze the health of machinery, especially those with rotating components like pumps, fans, gearboxes, and hydraulic components.
The advanced sensors placed strategically on each piece of equipment collect data, such as pressure, temperature, and relative humidity, internally and externally. It also includes an acceleratory variance and an acoustic sensor.
The analytics software compiles all of the information it receives into a set of metrics to determine the health of the individual components and provides guidance to the Building Management System for implementing adjustments and repairs to avoid system failure.
The tools available through Building Analytics provide machine learning and AI capabilities to continually update and find solutions for uninterrupted Mechanical system operations.
To be sure, the BA application will receive automatic updates from the provider to offer repairs or new data collection options and capture additional equipment operation controls.
Integrating building analytics into the mechanical equipment architecture can provide many long-term benefits. These include:
A study conducted by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has reported that buildings using analytic system applications deliver 10-20% energy savings versus those without the application.
Mechanical equipment installation, maintenance, and daily operating costs present a significant impact to annual operating budgets. The opportunity to manage these costs through advanced technology platforms continues to deliver innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency and performance of HVAC systems.
Business Analytics software is a cloud based application and can be monitored 24/7 at offsite facilities. It is highly recommended that all industrial and commercial buildings using building managing applications set up a separate network for managing these systems.
By separating the analytics software network this will provide additional security from system breaches and fraud.
After the installation of analytics software the application provider will set up training for reading and analyzing the reports generated. Partnering with an offsite monitoring company, like Unitemp, is often recommended and provides 24/7 overview. We will set up a secure network for your information to be uploaded at appropriate intervals. Then, we will go to this location and download the data to their servers to analyze your system performance.
This adds an additional layer of security as well as a our recommendations for optimizing your equipment.
The cost of implementing building analytics is complicated. You must first identify what the full investment will be for your application. This should include the price of the initial installation and programming. In addition there might be recurring costs. Most businesses will have the same automation system for at least 10 years.
The recurring costs could include a maintenance contract. If you decline a maintenance agreement and your system needs constant tweaking, isn’t user-friendly, or your team doesn’t have the bandwidth to manage the system in-house, you will need outside help. As your business grows you might require additional monitoring devices your team may or may not be able to install.
The final calculation you should consider is the cost of equipment failure and missing customer delivery dates. Most providers should be able to look at the size of your facility and the components to be monitored and give you guidance on the ROI for installing building analytics software.
Building Analytics software is generally a tool industrial and commercial buildings consider after a Building Management System has been installed. Once operating parameters for a BMS have been established linking the data to an analytics application will provide real time management of mechanical systems.
For building owners who anticipate growth and adding new areas and systems to monitor, selecting a scalable building analytics partner is required. The growth of building management system applications provides many options for finding the right partner to help with linking analytics software into your operating platform.