Should I Retrofit My BAS or Replace It?

Your Building Automation System (BAS) has served you faithfully for years. But after one too many late-night service calls and costly technician visits, you might find yourself asking: is it possible to keep this system operating with some minor upgrades, or is it time to move on?

Whether you’re a security professional, building systems professional, facility manager, or owner, here are some key factors to consider:

Newer Systems (0-7 years): Maintenance and repair costs are often predictable, and planning documents or critical manuals are typically accessible. This makes phased upgrades both practical and cost-effective.

Older Systems (10+ years): Maintenance costs may now exceed replacement costs. Additionally, sourcing crucial components can be challenging or impossible, and outdated documentation can turn what should be a simple repair into a time-consuming and unnecessarily complex crisis. In these cases, it may be time to explore replacement options. 

Are you missing out on powerful features like advanced analytics, faster processing speeds, reduced network load, energy efficiency measures, or actionable insights based on trend data? While your current system may provide the bare minimum functionality, upgrading could yield significant time, energy, and cost savings.

Looking to the horizon, technologies like AI promise to revolutionize building automation by optimizing energy use and improving maintenance. Replacing your system now could position your facility to capitalize on these innovations.

Has your system outlived its manufacturer’s lifecycle? If replacement parts are increasingly scarce or your service team struggles to keep the system running, it might be time to reassess your options.

Are you locked into proprietary protocols or hardware that limit your ability to manage the system effectively? In such cases, a new BACnet-based system can offer unprecedented flexibility and eliminate vendor lock-in.

Proprietary systems often restrict your ability to upgrade or integrate with modern tools. While you might still be able to read data, making critical adjustments may not be possible.

Other facilities might be dealing with a patchwork system cobbled together over the course of many years from a variety of manufacturers or prior managers. Disparate systems like these often create inefficiencies and require detailed, nuanced background knowledge to prevent failures. 

Transitioning to a BACnet-based system — coupled with a service team that empowers you to take full control of your BAS — can unlock new levels of technical capability and operational efficiency that reduce downtime, failures, and headaches.