BAS - The current trend in global IFM

As the world emerges from COVID and buildings become active again, facility managers are entering an exciting era of digital connectivity and efficiency. Increasing demand for digital solutions, from cloud-based software to intelligent building automation solutions, is fueling the global facility management market’s expansion from $42.2 billion in 2021 to $76.3 billion by 2026. (#1)

For facility managers, digital connectivity means greater access to data and more operational transparency and efficiency. While the digital future is bright, several roadblocks stand in the way of many organizations achieving true efficiency. For instance, closed proprietary systems, misidentified data and poor reporting mechanisms inhibit efficiency and growth. How do you avoid them? Here are five requirements for a building automation system (BAS) that can ensure your success by easily and securely capturing data and analyzing your building’s operations from anywhere.

An open BAS allows for flexibility

A truly “open system” is open at multiple levels. The first level, found in many non-proprietary systems, includes open protocols that can seamlessly connect with a variety of disparate systems and interfaces, including APIs. The next level includes systems that are commercially open, meaning they meet open procurement guidelines and are available through a variety of distributors. The third level of openness is when the system can be used through the Internet. Can you access your system and do everything you need to do through a web browser? Can you work without plugins or any additional software, while being miles away? A truly open building automation system allows you to address facility problems over the Internet without leaving your location, field office, or home.

Efficient integration

Digitalization promises to provide unlimited access to our systems and data. But at what cost? Having an open system is not always enough. Your BAS also needs to be able to integrate older and newer systems easily, without requiring costly engineered solutions. For many organizations, the high costs of integrating systems present a barrier to operational efficiency.

Standardized data

As our systems become more connected, we rely on ever more data to make better decisions. However, if your data is misidentified, or is not tagged and organized in a standardized manner, you will be working with incomplete information. Standardizing data allows your system to compile it correctly and gives you a complete, accurate picture of every situation.

Visualization

We can collect all the data in the world, but it is of no value if we cannot fully understand it. Data needs to be visualized so it can tell you a story at a glance. A BAS that can visualize information will lead you to make well-informed decisions in an organized manner.

Scalability

The digital world demands flexibility. A BAS needs to be scalable to respond and adapt to your needs. A BAS that cannot scale up or down is inefficient and will limit your organization’s opportunities, minimizing its value.

Conclusion:?

A Building Automation System (BAS) can provide many benefits for you, such as higher energy efficiency, lower operating and maintenance costs, better indoor air quality, as well as greater occupant comfort and productivity. Just make sure that you are doing it right.