Data Analytics & Smart Building Science Articles | Buildings IOT Blog

Information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) within buildings have historically stayed in their own siloes. But smart buildings are changing that. In intelligent built environments, building systems are becoming more connected than ever before and collaboration with IT infrastructure is becoming not just possible, but necessary.

Choosing between an open vs. proprietary protocol is a critical factor affecting building automation system integrations.  Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each can help you make smarter decisions and make the most of your investment.    

Motel 6’s “We’ll leave the light on for you” slogan spoke to the hospitality of the brand, but it could also apply to two main libraries on the University of California at Berkeley campus thanks to their newly installed smart lighting system. The new system gives facility managers the ability to control and automate anything from a single fixture to entire circuits, allowing them to curb energy usage and reduce waste. In the Doe Library, fluorescent lighting shuts off during daylight hours when skylights can provide natural lighting. Using a web interface, Berkeley’s Moffitt Library now regulates lighting according to holidays, exams, and other nuances of the university’s academic year. Facility managers can control lighting on a customizable schedule, using a software scheduling application that is accessible via a web portal and allows overrides for when cleaning crews are on premises.