Take the Test
If you’re thinking to yourself, “I can get any
data I want out of my building automation system—what’s
the big deal?” then you might want to try a little
timed exercise.
The next time you get a hot or cold call, use
your control system to find out:
- How long has the space been uncomfortable?
- How have the controlled variables (CFM,
heating valves, etc.) responded?
- What are the primary and secondary systems
doing?
If you find you can’t answer these questions,
you’re not alone. If it took you 30 minutes to track
down the information and then organize it into a
cohesive, easily understood form, you are ahead
of the game (though you probably don’t have time
to repeat the process when the next call comes).
After talking to well over 300 facilities people
in the past two years, less than two percent even
try to get answers out of their hardware. But those
two percent are reaping the rewards.
How do they get at these rewards? The answer
is simple, they get the data out of their control
systems (whose primary functions are to work with
hardware) and into an application designed to work
with people.
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You need data to run your facilities. No data, no information—no
information, no business value. It's that simple.
Information-Based versus Control-Based Buildings (and
Physical Plants)
Solving business problems requires more understanding,
not more control. While control companies have continuously
upgraded their product lines, migrated to newer technologies,
and started embracing Information Technology (IT) standards,
the products remain control systems (increasingly complex
applications). Collecting and managing system data to meet
user needs is a different business issue and separate technical
challenge.
Applying IT standards isn’t enough—you have to embrace
information, not just technology. Information, and the understanding
it provides, allows you to take an entirely new approach
to managing facilities operations. Everything changes—priorities
change, decisions change, and existing plans are replaced
by new plans based on engineering facts previously unavailable.
EnergyWitness™ collects data from every point available
within the facility on a 15-minute basis. This can exceed
100,000 points for large buildings/campuses. The data is
collected from the control system, meters, utilities, space
planning systems, and external weather sources. Users interact
with the data, which is presented in informative trend charts
and graphs showing operational details and cost data.
Information is not just for a few select people in
the facilities group. It creates a common understanding and
language for everyone—facilities management, design engineers,
construction mangers, HVAC technicians, building/zone mechanics,
utility engineers, plant technicians, etc. In fact, it's
common to identify 50 – 100 people, or more, just within
the facilities organization whose effectiveness is improved
through information.
See What Happens When There's Data
Intrigued by the information the right data can provide?
We can show you how it can lead to a better run facility
and energy conservation. Give us a call at 617-744-1091,
or send an e-mail to
info@intdatsys.com.
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