3 Key Building Management System Standards for Easy Integration

Smart technologies are changing building management system standards. The days of building managers and maintenance teams simply monitoring operations and reacting to problems are over. Today, optimizing operations, providing the best occupant experiences, meeting efficiency goals, and remaining profitable requires that building systems work together seamlessly.

Building owners and operators must shift toward an integrated approach to meet new expectations and get the most from your investments. By exploring three emerging building management system standards, you can take the first steps toward a smarter, better future.

1. Open Protocols

Modern smart buildings depend on connectivity. Building equipment, IoT devices, and analytics software must be able to communicate with each other and operate harmoniously with the central building management system. Standards for how they communicate are critical, as functionality hinges on reliable data transmission. 

Open protocols make integrating devices and software with your central building management system easier and standardize communication. This means smart devices can send data for analysis in real time, opening up opportunities for better maintenance, advanced fault detection and diagnostics, and strategic automation. It also means that components can be added as your needs change. A contractor who can effectively upgrade a building management system and standardize for interoperability will give you the capability, flexibility, and scalability you need now and in the future.

2. Compatibility With Third-party Apps

Tenants benefit from deeper engagement with the building in which they work or live. Offering a certain level of control and easy access to information goes a long way towards making tenants happier, and mobile apps are a simple way to make it happen. 

A 2020 review found that the best tenant apps:  

• Allow easy navigation. 
• Assess system capabilities and usefulness.
• Consider user interface and quality. 
• Evaluate user experience. 
• Extend compatibility with various mobile devices. 
• Offer quality information. 
• Present a means to communicate overall tenant satisfaction.
• Register reactions to software applications.
• Use minimal device memory. 

These apps should integrate with your BMS using API connections to ensure ease of deployment and optimal performance. Security is also essential; any integration must follow best cybersecurity practices to minimize vulnerabilities.

3. Cloud-based Analytics 

Future-focused building owners and facilities managers are moving most building management data storage and software into cloud environments. The benefits of migrating to the cloud include:

• Flexible data storage capacity for greater scalability.
• Better security than many on-premises alternatives.
• Automatic software updates and patches.

Cloud-based platforms, like IOT Jetstream, offer a means to integrate all building systems effectively. The virtually limitless data capacity the cloud offers also ensures you can continuously capture an extraordinary volume of building data. But it is the analysis of data that truly makes your building smart. 

An advanced analytics platform:

• Enables sophisticated automation.
• Features advanced fault detection and diagnostics.
• Features custom reporting capabilities.
• Guides decision-making on upgrading and replacement strategies. 
• Maintains optimal comfort levels. 
• Offers real-time insights into daily operations and historical trends. 
• Provides greater transparency between building owners, facility managers, tenants, and contractors. 
• Reduces energy usage and utility costs.
• Reduces maintenance costs. 
• Streamlines maintenance.

With a cloud-based analytics platform like onPoint, you gain a new level of insight and control of all of a building’s systems, from virtually anywhere. 

Keeping Up With Building Management System Standards

Emerging technologies and evolving occupant needs are elevating building management system standards. But if you have a legacy system, where do you start? 

A building systems integration expert will assess your current systems and make honest recommendations for how to improve them. Together, you will discuss your goals and explore the technologies and approaches that will get you there. Whether your building needs a complete overhaul or a strategic retrofit, an experienced contractor will offer a smart solution to transform your BMS and unlock the potential of your property. 

Buildings IOT offers state-of-the-art solutions to meet changing building management system standards. Contact our team of experts to learn more about what we can do for you.