Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Automating Your Facility

Building control solutions can save you time and money, but it’s not a good idea to just dive into it without a plan or backup in place. When it comes to automating your facility, there’s a lot that can go wrong and countless mistakes that you can make along the way. By avoiding these five big mistakes, you can make your building automation experience much smoother and more successful than others have in the past.

Taking Too Long To Decide

It’s not uncommon for people to take months or even years before making a decision. The problem is that when it comes to automation, you won’t have that kind of time. It can take weeks or even months just for the first proposal and then another few weeks before the second one comes in. So if you want a competitive offer, don’t wait too long.

Not Understanding What to Automate

A common mistake is not understanding building automation controls. The first step is figuring out what processes are currently taking the most time and which ones can be eliminated or improved. Another big mistake is not researching the latest technologies available for automation. There are many products and systems on the market that can help you automate your facility, but it's important to know what will work best for your needs before you make a purchase.

Overestimating the Cost

Did you know that overestimating the cost is one of the most common mistakes when automated building systems? For example, many people try to automate their facility with only a few sensors and end up paying for more than they need. The best way to avoid this mistake is by carefully calculating how much equipment you need so that you don't get carried away and buy too much, which can be very expensive in the long run.

Not Planning for Change

No matter how solid you think your plan is, there are always going to be some unforeseen changes that happen. The best way to plan for this is by staying flexible and being willing to change as needed

Lack of Supervision

Once the automation is set up, you need to make sure that it is monitored and maintained. Have someone check on it often, at least once a week. If you notice something isn’t working correctly or something needs maintenance, then take care of it right away. It would be a disaster if your building suddenly lost power because a light bulb blew out and there was no one around to fix it.

5 Ways Smart Buildings Can Improve Security in Your Office

Whether you’re already at the helm of smart building or you’re just starting to think about it, it’s important to keep security at the forefront of your mind. Smart buildings can track environmental factors and make adjustments accordingly, but that does little good if criminals are able to break in and steal proprietary information or equipment. This article will outline five ways that smart buildings can improve facilities security.

Automated Locks

One of building automation controls trend gaining traction is automated locks that have biometric access control. The locks allow users to set up fingerprints and other biological data, so they're able to unlock the door without inserting a key or using an access card.

These types of locks are popular because they keep people from having to carry keys around all day, which can be inconvenient and bulky. They also make it more difficult for intruders to get into buildings since these systems require fingerprinting or scanning. Intruders who happen to steal someone's access card will not be able to enter the building as easily because they don't have their fingerprint information stored on the card.

Closed Circuit Cameras

Cameras are great for monitoring how employees behave outside of the office, and are one of the most cost-effective safety enhancements you can add to your property. It's also easy to have your camera feed routed to a remote location so you're able to monitor all activity on your property, even when you're away from the building.

Increased Surveillance

With building automation and control systems, it’s possible to enhance the surveillance in the facility. Surveillance is one of the most important pieces to a security system and provides many advantages, such as increased monitoring of valuable assets and improving operational performance by reducing downtime. Another thing surveillance can do is detect what some thieves may be looking for - they'll show a tendency to steal whatever is easy to carry out with them.

Intrusion Detection and Motion Sensors

Entry points, such as doors and windows, can be equipped with motion sensors to detect intruders. If an intruder attempts to break in, the sensors will set off alarms alerting employees to an emergency situation. And it’s not just physical entryways that are being secured by automated building systems; any data breaches are detected immediately so information is never compromised. And if you’re worried about someone coming up behind you, surveillance cameras are there to monitor your every move so you don’t have to worry about it happening again. It’s just another way smart buildings make your office safer!

Access Control Systems

Today's smart buildings are continually gaining more sophisticated access control systems. Allowing only authorised people to enter the building, these controls help mitigate the risk of unauthorised access and keep vital data and equipment safe. With fingerprint or retina scanners, for example, you can be sure that an intruder isn't going to simply unlock your door with a set of lock picks.

As you see, smart buildings can help improve the safety and security in your facility and make the building occupants feel safe.

The Smart Ventilation System: Why Your Facility Needs It

Ventilation systems can help improve the quality of the air within your business’s facilities, making employees happier and healthier and leading to improved productivity. But what makes smart ventilation systems stand out from their predecessors? Keep reading to find out.

What Is A Smart Ventilation System?

Smart ventilation systems is one of the features of automated building systems that can monitor and adjust the amount of fresh air in a building based on the amount of occupants, temperature, and more.  Here are the perks of a smart ventilation building automation and control systems in facilities.

Improve Efficiency

A smart ventilation system helps to improve the efficiency of your facility. By constantly monitoring and adjusting the airflow, it can ensure that the temperature and humidity are always at optimal levels. This can help to reduce energy costs and keep your facility running smoothly.

Weather-based Climate Adjustment

If you manage a commercial facility, you know that indoor air quality is crucial to the health and comfort of your occupants. You also know that maintaining proper ventilation is key to keeping indoor air quality high. A smart ventilation system can help you do both by automatically adjusting airflow based on weather conditions outside.

Decrease HVAC costs

Smart ventilation system with building automation controls can help decrease your HVAC costs. By only running the ventilation system when needed, you can save on energy costs. Additionally, a smart ventilation system can help regulate the temperature in your facility, which can also lead to lower HVAC costs.

Increase Worker Comfort and Productivity

When workers are comfortable, they’re more productive. And when they’re more productive, your business runs more smoothly. A smart ventilation system can help regulate temperature and humidity, ensuring that your employees are comfortable throughout the day.

Real-time Monitoring

A smart ventilation system can monitor and react to changes in temperature, humidity, and other conditions in real-time. This allows you to keep your facility comfortable for employees and customers alike while also reducing energy costs.

Remote Control of the Ventilation System

A smart ventilation system gives you the ability to remotely control the airflow in your facility, which can be a huge perk. You have access to all the information that was gathered by the sensors, so you know what's going on at all times and if anything needs adjusting. It also has an integrated cost estimator that tells you how much energy it will use based on your settings, making it easy to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

A smart ventilation system can help improve the indoor air quality of a facility. This is especially important in commercial facilities where there are a lot of people present. Poor air quality can lead to health problems, so it's important to have a ventilation system that can help filter the air and keep everyone healthy.

As you see, a smart ventilation system can help maintain fresh air in your facility effortlessly. Installing a smart ventilation system in your facility is a financially viable investment.

Get to Know the Systems Controlled by Building Automation Systems

Building automation and control systems are used in a variety of settings, including office buildings, schools, hospitals, factories, and retail store. BAS can make your home or office more functional and efficient, but understanding exactly what these systems control and how efficiently they can manage the building operation is crucial to make informed decisions when you’re planning to automate your office or home. This article will explore the different systems controlled by building automation systems and give an overview of each system’s purpose and function within the context of an overall BAS system.

The Systems Controlled By Automated Building Systems

Lighting Control System

A lighting control system controls the lighting in a space. It can be used to turn lights on and off, dim lights, change the colour of lights, and create different lighting scenes. A lighting control system can be used in both residential and commercial spaces. All the lights throughout the building are controlled through BAS.

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) Control System

The HVAC system is responsible for maintaining comfortable temperatures and indoor air quality. The Building Automation Controls when the HVAC system should be turned on and off and how it operates. By controlling the HVAC system, the building automation system can help save energy and money.

Security Control System

A building automation system can be used to control a facility's security system. This can include features like access control, CCTV, and alarm systems. By integrating these systems, you can create a more secure environment.

Data Centre Management System

A data centre management system is a critical part of a building automation system. It helps you monitor and control your data centre environment, including temperature, humidity, and power usage. By reducing energy consumption and improving uptime, a data centre management system can save you money and keep your business running smoothly.

Fire Alarm Control System

A building automation system can be used to monitor and control a fire alarm system. This can include sounding the alarm in the event of a fire, as well as notifying the appropriate personnel of the fire. The building automation system can also be used to monitor for smoke and heat, and to provide ventilation in the event of a fire.

Elevator Control System

Most building automation systems control the elevator system. This includes the call buttons in each elevator and on each floor, as well as the doors and safety features. The system ensures that the elevators are running smoothly and efficiently.

As you see, a building automation system automates many tasks in a building, helping to run the building efficiently and smoothly. Hope you should have a better grasp on what building automation systems actually are! Should you have queries, please don’t hesitate to contact mySmart. mySmart is an Australian company at the forefront of building automation and smart lighting control.

The Various Benefits Your Business Will Receive From Automating the Facility

Automation isn’t a new concept, but it has become increasingly more important in recent years as advancements have been made in technology and manufacturing processes have improved. It’s time to see what your business can do to automate the facility, because doing so can save you time and money while making your production process more efficient and streamlined, improving overall quality and customer satisfaction. Here are some of the benefits you’ll reap from automated building systems.

Energy efficiency

A building automation system can help control humidity and temperature in your facility, which means you’ll be using less energy and saving money. You’ll also lower your carbon footprint, making it a more environmentally friendly option. building automation and control systems will turn lights on and off at specific times to save even more energy.

HVAC control

In recent years, building automation systems have become more and more popular among businesses in a variety of industries. These technologies are designed to give businesses more control over how they regulate their temperature settings and energy use, which leads to several benefits for your business. If you haven’t already implemented a building automation system at your company, it’s time to consider it.

Lighting Control

A facility automation system is an integrated control solution that oversees and coordinates all building systems in one central location. Lighting can be controlled via thermostats, motion sensors or timers to automatically activate during times of day when energy consumption is at its lowest. This efficiency allows for lower energy bills as well as greater peace of mind.

Motion and Occupancy Detection

Motion and occupancy sensors can save your business money by turning off lights when rooms are unoccupied, shutting down air conditioners or heating systems during breaks in activity, and powering down computers overnight. Not only that, but motion and occupancy sensors can boost your energy efficiency score (thus reducing energy bills), add security to empty facilities or rooms where valuable equipment may be stored, and increase productivity if they’re used in active work areas.

Access Control

By using access control at your facilities, you can help ensure that your employees are working in an environment where they feel safe and productive. When employees are comfortable in their surroundings, they’re able to focus on what’s important: work. Furthermore, many new businesses use building automation as a way to control and monitor costs while avoiding unnecessary spending. Even if you have a small business with only a few locations, installing access control systems can help deter theft and lower insurance premiums.

As you see, your business can benefit in many ways from building automation controls. Hence, it’s time to consider automating your facility and make it more efficient.

Automated Building System for Business Place – The Benefits

Businesses of all sizes have a huge incentive to invest in building management systems – and it’s not just because they improve the performance of their buildings. When your business has its own dedicated building management system, you get all sorts of benefits, from reduced utility costs to better employee management, improved productivity, and more. To learn more about the many ways an automated building management system can benefit your business, check out these five benefits of using one in your office building or commercial space today!

1) Cost Savings

Good, efficient smart buildings can cut down on maintenance costs and energy bills. These sorts of systems are often smart enough to have their own built-in climate control, so you don’t have to worry about manually adjusting things like temperature settings. Because they’re automated, too, there’s no need for an employee to spend time away from other tasks—like doing necessary maintenance—to handle more minor repairs that could break down over time.

2) Extending Equipment Lifespan

Newer is not always better. Using automated building systems can help extend equipment lifespan and ensure peak performance. So if you’re struggling with older technology, an automated BMS may be just what you need to keep your equipment running at its best.

3) Flexibility with Software / Hardware

Software and hardware solutions, such as an automated building system or networked thermostats, can enhance or automate various aspects of your facility. As business needs evolve and software/hardware updates are needed, it’s typically more cost-effective to upgrade automation systems than it is to upgrade individual pieces. And if you move offices, you don’t have to worry about taking equipment with you—the software can be easily transferred to new hardware, ensuring constant functionality even as staff changes occur.

4) Better Security through Centralised Monitoring

HVAC systems must function properly at all times, so centralised monitoring and alerting services provide several key benefits to both owners and tenants. With an automated monitoring service in place, it’s easier to identify potential problems before they become serious or lead to costly repairs. For example, if there’s a malfunction with one of the HVAC units located on another floor or area of your business, you can be notified via text or email immediately.

5) Energy Conservation Through Data Analytics

Data analytics can help track energy usage throughout the business’s entire operations. This allows you to pinpoint energy drains and find ways to cut back on waste. For example, data analytics might show that employees aren’t running equipment efficiently or even misusing machinery. You can even set up an automated reminder that encourages employees to take full advantage of all available tools for conserving electricity.

Conclusion

A building management system automates many tasks and operations that are usually handled by humans. Not only does automation save you time, but it also results in better productivity and lowers costs. When you implement an automated BMS, you can have peace of mind knowing that your employees aren’t wasting time on menial tasks. Automation has always played an important role at Tesla; from constructing vehicles to repairing them – robots do most things humans would normally do.

Dispelling Myths about Automated Building Systems

In spite of the fact that automated building systems have been around for many years, there are still many misconceptions about them, which could potentially keep you from enjoying the wide range of benefits these systems offer your building and its inhabitants. In this article, we’ve debunked some of the most common misconceptions about automated building systems to give you an idea of what you can realistically expect when your facility goes automated.

Installing Automated Systems Isn’t Complicated

Indeed a myth! Building automation and control systems must be installed and programmed by an expert. Hiring an expert to install your automated system is an excellent idea that saves you both time and money in future issues. An expert will be able to ensure your system operates at peak efficiency while also reducing any confusion caused by complex functions.

My Facility is Too Old/Small for Automation

An office or commercial setting doesn’t have to be a brand-new place with every cutting-edge smart technology known to man. In fact, even if you operate in an older facility, chances are there’s still plenty of space for some automated systems. All building types, including commercial and residential, can be retrofitted to become a smart building that save energy and provides a comfortable environment. Automation can save property owners money over time by doing turning down energy-guzzling heating and cooling systems when nobody is at the facility or tuning HVAC settings based on weather and other conditions.

It’s Hard to Program the System

You might think that programming a system for your office or manufacturing plant would take forever and that you’d never have time to program everything. That is simply not true, automated building systems can be easily programmed by anyone in minutes.

BAS Systems Are Expensive

While it’s true that the initial cost for installation would cost you a considerable amount, BAS typically pay for themselves within one or two years by delivering operational efficiencies and energy savings. In fact, some smart building management things that integrated iot platform have generated a positive return on investment within a few months of installation.

You Can Control Everything

While it’s helpful to be able to turn off your lights, lock and unlock doors and adjust thermostats from afar, don’t forget that there are also some things in life that even technology can’t control.

Smart buildings have been proven to save energy, prevent major failures, and streamline facilities management. These myths shouldn’t hold back you from reaping the benefits of BAS.  

Building Automation System – All You Need To Know

A building automation system (BAS) can seem complicated at first glance, but it’s simply an intricate control system that makes your building easier to manage and live in. BAS products all serve the same purpose of keeping up with building needs while automating processes, so you don’t have to micromanage each detail. If you want to know more about how this system can help you manage your building and save time, here’s what you need to know about automated building systems!

What Is Building Automation And Control Systems, And How It Works?

A building automation system is a set of systems that offers automated monitoring and control within a building. Since the automated building systems are centralised, they can be monitored and adjusted from a single system located in different places of the building. For instance, consider the thermostat in your house. They are programmable, allowing you to adjust the settings and temperatures within a zone. Building automation is similar but on a larger scale.

An automated building system comprises several devices that help manage temperature and air quality in buildings. When you walk into a building in wintertime, for example, you’ll feel warm because a heating boiler has been automatically set to provide heat. Similarly, when it’s cold outside, and a lot of people are inside your building, an Air Handling Unit (AHU) allows more cool air into your space by opening vents as needed. All other components work together to improve efficiency and comfort.

The goal of an automated building system is to provide a comfortable and consistent environment while reducing energy consumption and enhancing safety.

Benefits of BAS  

· Enhanced Occupant Comfort – A BAS automatically monitors and adjust temperature and humidity controls for creating a comfortable environment. BAS sensors allow each room to be adjusted individually based on the temperature.
· Energy-Efficiency – A building automation system automatically monitors buildings’ energy usage with motion sensors to adjust HVAC and maximise energy savings.
· Reduce Operation Expense – With an automated building system, it’s possible to minimise the wear and tear of an infrastructure. This, in turn, allows you to spend less on maintenance and repair costs in the long run.
· Enhance Productivity - A more comfortable work environment means happier, productive employees.

If you’re ready to automate your building and reap the benefits of iot platform , you need a team of experts to help get your building under control. Contact the team at mySmart today. We’ll work with you and develop a solution optimised for your facility.