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Building Automation Systems are prone to aging and will eventually need to be replaced, fixed, or upgraded over time. Like an HVAC or plumbing system, building control equipment has a finite lifespan that varies based on quality, use, and care.

There are three simple tips for avoiding BMS problems:

• Perform Regular Maintenance
• Get a Legacy Upgrade
• Avoid Proprietary BAS Systems

How to…

Building Management Systems (BMS) are typically classified as either proprietary (closed) or non-proprietary (open). 

Proprietary systems integrate exclusively with equipment and software produced by the company that manufactured the system.

In contrast, non-proprietary building control systems can integrate with various equipment manufacturers and software platforms. They also offer a wide range…

It’s entirely possible for JCI BAS system owners or property managers to upgrade their legacy system to a more updated and non-proprietary one like Tridium or J2 Innovations.

This migration can produce a far superior system that’s up to date with current technology and is capable of moving forward as technology improves in the future. Read on to learn more about the value and benefits you’ll get…

Researchers at MIT estimate that commercial buildings account for 20% of all the energy used in the U.S., and as much as 30% of that goes to waste.

Energy usage is a business operating expense in commercial buildings. However, the productivity of the people inside is the real goal. 

Comfort and climate control are key aspects of maintaining productivity in an office building, but what if you…

In every industry, people often band around terms and phrases while not giving much consideration to what those terms actually mean. One such phrase is “building automation system.” How often have you heard this industry term thrown into a facilities related discussion?

For those that don’t work on, or deal with, these systems, the concept can be a bit confusing and convoluted. What is building…

There comes a time when it’s beneficial to update, upgrade, or replace older BAS equipment. All too often, building owners decide to entirely replace their BAS System without even considering the possibility of a legacy upgrade.

Legacy upgrades help building owners reap the benefits of newer technology without the high cost of replacing an entire BAS System. They can also help combat increasing…

As technology continues to improve we are finding more reasons to integrate related systems like BAS, lighting and shade systems, security/card access, video, fire alarm, etc. And with these integrations the ability to have remote access to those systems is moving past desirable to essential.

But for many users, they have not secured their systems in even the most obvious ways, much less what is…

If your facility department has been charged with reducing operating costs in 2016, reducing energy consumption is a great place to start. Keep in mind that it’s never worth sacrificing employee comfort to save energy, because productivity has a much greater impact on the bottom line; however, there are ways to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing comfort.

Distech Controls has developed…

Overseeing facilities management at a large hotel or resort can be quite challenging. Facility managers deal with a large spectrum of issues that are unrelated to managing a hotel environment, and many are forced to juggle a lot of responsibilities that take time away from big picture strategy and long-term planning.

In this article, we’ve identified a few of the environment-related challenges…

Many business owners avoid installing a new building automation or energy management system, because they either have a preconceived idea of what they're going to get or don't fully understand the benefits. Every situation is different and there is no clear solution that will fit every business.

As a business owner or director of facilities, we recommend sitting down with a few BAS professionals…