This audio was created using Microsoft Azure Speech Services
Running with the metaphor from my last blog post in this series, a Cloud-based building management system (BMS) is like a sundae. You can derive many benefits from enjoying it (six to be precise) and add toppings as you progress further down the buffet bar (like control capability, for example). The cherry on top of this sundae though, is undoubtedly the ability to perform analytics on all the big data you’ve been capturing across the enterprise and storing in the Cloud.
Do all the work for me
Much like the other toppings, analytics can be added at initial deployment or later on. They don’t even have to be purchased or internally maintained for that matter; analytics can be “rented” through Software as a Service (SaaS) where the application is accessed through the Cloud, or managed SaaS (MSaaS) where all work is outsourced so that users are freed up and provided with the exact results and reports they need.
Empower your decision makers with analytics
Analytics truly enable you to make the most of your data. While you’re still tucking into your first cup of morning joe, the software is hard at work sifting through the mountains of data generated over time from all buildings. It’s searching for correlations, trends, and anomalies that might be significant and useful for facilities management.
Analytics enable decision makers to:
- Act like a detective – Discover trends in energy and equipment use, identify faults, perform root-cause analysis, and prioritize opportunities for improvement based on cost, comfort, and maintenance impact.
- Cut to the gist – Complement dashboards by interpreting the underlying data, showing not just where inefficiencies occur, but why.
- Get it right the first time – Understand why a building is operating efficiently (or not), leading to more permanent solutions.
- Turn data into action – Convert intelligence into “actionable information” for troubleshooting and preventative maintenance, as well as for solving more complicated operational challenges.
- Beef up the team – Augment building management staff, helping to fill knowledge and resource gaps.
- Stay two steps ahead – Enable facilities managers to proactively optimize and commission building operations more effectively than with a dashboard alone.
Learn more about building analytics and what they can enable you to do in our white paper, “Optimizing Buildings Using Analytics and Engineering Expertise.”
Now what?
My next blog begs the question: now what? Considering other topics covered in this series on Cloud-based BMSs (common challenges, the Cloud solution, and its benefits), I’ll address how to get started. Factors like budget, security, and typical controls are all things that should be considered before you set off on this journey.
In the meantime, study up. Read our white paper, “Leveraging Cloud-Based Building Management Systems for Multi-Site Facilities” for a bird’s eye view.
