When facility managers and owners approach Radius Systems to assess their existing building automation systems, “integration” is often the first topic that arises.
Whether due to reasons of cost, logistics, or impact to their daily operations, most managers and owners are hesitant to “rip and replace” their legacy systems. They are understandably hoping to maximize their previous investments and avoid any unnecessary future expenses.
In this article, we’ll address the integration myths Radius engineers routinely encounter in the field and provide some information about the realities that you can expect as you plan for your facility.
Myth: Once You Integrate, You Obtain All the Data and Total Control
Reality: The amount of information and control obtained from any integration can vary widely, based on whether the existing BAS utilizes an open or proprietary protocol. At a minimum this usually includes inputs, outputs, and setpoints, whereby inputs and outputs are read-only, and setpoints are read/write. In the case of BACnet integration, inputs/outputs can be forced to a disabled state for manual control using priority arrays, but for non-BACnet systems that is often not possible.
Myth: Integration Will Solve All of the System’s Problems
Reality: If the existing BAS was poorly designed/programmed or improperly maintained, integrating to the system will not resolve those issues. If the issues with the existing system are not extensive, the most problematic or poorly functioning controllers can be replaced with new, fully programmable controllers so that new sequences of operations can be implemented and the remaining controllers can be integrated. However, if problems are widespread and significant throughout the system, a full BAS replacement may be necessary.
Retro-commissioning of the system prior to integration is the best way to determine the extent and necessity of repairs. This ensures that the proper scope of work is ascertained upfront by diagnosing and troubleshooting the system to determine whether integration or full replacement is the best course of action.
Myth: Replacing the Existing BAS Controller(s) While Keeping the Existing Network Wiring in Place Will Solve Network Speed Issues
Reality: BAS network speed is often constrained by the limitations of the existing network cabling or the maximum allowable baud rate of the existing system controllers. A new controller might be able to process and calculate at blinding speed, but if the network is outdated or improperly wired, transmitting large amounts of data based on the capabilities of newer controllers can create “traffic jams” that inhibit functionality or cause network failures. It’s important to be realistic about the potential improvements that can be obtained by a new controller and to plan for future upgrades if network speed is a critical issue.
The rapid expansion of BAS data mining associated with FDD, Analytics, and AI (and the corresponding jump in controller data requests), coupled with the commensurate increase of users accessing the system, is driving exponential increases in the amount of data pushed through the BAS networks. This increases the demands for much higher bandwidth/higher speed networks – which older network wiring and technology will generally not support.
Myth: Our Old PC is Working Just Fine, Why Replace It?
Reality: Aging computers, and the operating systems and software installed on them, create an ever-increasing vulnerability for the networks and systems they’re connected to. Some computers may be so old and overlooked that the facility’s IT team doesn’t even know they exist.
While it may be tempting to leave the antiquated machine in place to avoid the cost of replacement, many of the PCs used in these situations have been running 24/7/365 for years or decades, with software that is full of unpatched security holes making you highly vulnerable to a cyber-attack. The cost of either a PC failure leaving you with no ability to control your building – or far worse, a cyber-attack – will be dramatically more expensive and harmful to your business and seriously jeopardize the operations and finances of any business compared to the cost of a new BAS server or workstation with the proper protections.
Myth: Our Old Controller Works Just Fine, Why Replace It? Even if It Does Fail, We Can Buy a Replacement on eBay
Reality: As with an aging PC, the risks and potential financial penalties of retaining outdated BAS controllers far outweigh the potential savings of keeping it or purchasing replacements through a reseller. As the supply of old controllers dwindles and demand increases, costs correspondingly increase. At best, such a strategy is only delaying the inevitable, as hardware ages out of manufacturer support.
Buying a replacement from a third party is no guarantee that it is in working order. Repairs on these devices might seem like the more affordable option in the near-term, but as the number of repairs rises, the savings can rapidly disappear. The time and costs associated with diagnosing and managing recurring issues with older BAS hardware can also add up quickly. It is vital to plan for the day when it no longer functions, or a time when replacement hardware will not be available or become too costly.
Myth: All of Our Equipment is on BACnet, They Should All Work Together Seamlessly
Reality: It is absolutely true that BACnet devices, if BTL-listed and properly installed and configured, will communicate and share data seamlessly. However, BACnet devices can be implemented and configured in multiple ways, and these differences are important to understand. Differences in baud rates, conflicts in the MAC addresses or device instance numbers, improper network segmentation, or object/property support gaps might create communication issues. Choosing the right BAS systems integrator that has the expertise and knowledge of the BACnet 135 Standard is key to guaranteeing smooth and seamless integration of old and new BACnet controls.
Myth: All Front-End Software Is the Same
Reality: BAS front-end software capabilities vary widely and tend to be glossed over – the devil is in the details. Ease-of-use and the availability of analytical tools lead to a highly efficient maintenance operation which will have a significant impact on the proper functioning of a facility’s BAS, and by association the comfort and energy efficiency of the facility. Does your existing system have these features?
- Trends: capture point values of ALL inputs, outputs, setpoints, calculated values, etc. at customizable and frequent enough intervals to permit analysis of system operation over time. Furthermore, is it capable of retaining this information at the system web server for a minimum of 5 years?
- Time-lapse: analyze and troubleshoot the system by providing a “rewind and playback” of system operation for up to 24 hours.
- Live data programming: open the control program for any piece of equipment and watch the live operational data update in real-time. Live property values are dynamically calculated and displayed.
- Advanced graphics: see real-time function for systems and hardware with customizable, dynamically-updated graphics and animations.
- Thermographics: instantly visualize the floorplan for an entire facility and see which rooms are above or below setpoint.
Myth: There’s No Way of Knowing When Equipment Will Fail
Reality: Fault detection and diagnostics (FDD), analytics, and trending – all standard elements of Automated Logic’s WebCTRL – provide end users with simple and powerful tools to analyze system problems in real time. However, the Abound Predictive Insights platform takes this to a dramatically higher level, utilizing AI to assess and model baseline operations, predict failures before they occur, and provide notification of deviations while suggesting corrective actions. Abound can also recommend more efficient sequences of operations, increase reliability, and extend equipment lifespan through targeted maintenance strategies.
For more information on the topic of BAS integration, review these additional resources:
- Radius Systems: System Integrations
- Integration Possibilities in BAS
- Should I Retrofit My BAS or Replace It?
You can also fill out the contact form below to speak with one of our experts who can conduct an assessment of your facility’s integration options.
