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Internet connectivity and cloud computing have significantly changed what is expected of a traditional smart building system. The application of analytics to the vast quantities of “big data” that can now be stored cost-effectively has created a range of new value opportunities for facility managers (fms) and their organizations. In an effort to deliver the most up-to-date data analysis to fms, building energy management systems (BEMs) have tapped into the power of the cloud.
In the article entitled, “FM Issue: Building Automation Analytics,” Brandy Moore, offer management director for Schneider Electric’s Global Field Services for Buildings, explains: “With a cloud based SaaS (Software as a Service) solution, data is automatically pulled from a BMS (building management system) and then analyzed in a virtual cloud environment. This provides fms with both the powerful insights of data analytics and the flexibility of remote access and control.”
Although fms may not currently be optimizing this type of technology, many recognize that the Internet of Things (IoT) is having a positive impact on how they run their buildings—particularly with respect to energy management and building controls. This impact will surely accelerate within the next two to three years. The availability of high-speed reliable wireless Internet access is now commonplace, paving the way for the incorporation of cloud technology in all types of buildings.
Fms will have a hard time denying the convenience of wireless, cloud-based energy measurement and management controls, especially technology that’s smarter, less expensive, and easier to install. By harnessing the power of cloud computing for energy efficiency purposes, fms can have access to status reports for their buildings—or even for multiple buildings across an entire portfolio—in real time. Ideally, this will give managers a better chance to formulate forward thinking strategies and cost cutting approaches, since they will no longer be spending so much time troubleshooting management and maintenance issues on the fly.
“The rapid development of cloud-based data management systems designed to host and facilitate access to data from any Internet-connected device has boosted the functionality of smart building technology,” according to the Navigant Research Leaderboard Report: Building Energy Management Systems. As cloud-based BEMs platforms deliver even more power, fms who adopt this technology will be in an ideal position to create sweeping energy efficiency improvements across the enterprise.
For more on the importance of BEMs and its transition to the cloud, read the full Navigant Research Leaderboard Report: Building Energy Management Systems-Assessment of Strategy and Execution for 14 Building Energy Management System Vendors by clicking this link.
