Elevating BMS with IoT: Efficiency, Sustainability, and Beyond

The field of facility management has grown significantly since the 1970s, when prosperous workplaces began to appear. Over the years, it has undergone many modifications and developments. Due to the increase in interest in it, Industry 4.0 is developing more quickly than it has in previous decades.

The 1950s saw the emergence of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), which were first applied to industrial processes. These technologies gradually spread into building automation. The emergence of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems in the 1980s marked yet another important advancement, revolutionizing large-scale manufacturing and plant operations.

With the growth of the internet in the 1990s and the creation of cloud-based BMSs in the 2000s, facility management is headed toward more rapid and effective modern development.

“For businesses looking to integrate smart technologies into their infrastructure, leveraging IoT services can optimize building operations, enhance efficiency, and provide real-time data insights for improved decision-making.”

‍What is an IoT-based BMS?

Facilities employ a building management system, or BMS, to regulate their lights, air conditioners, security, and other features. They have numerous drawbacks and are dependent on proprietary protocols and other hardware-level connections. They are very hard to scale up, equipment can’t talk to each other, data collecting is done by hand, they can’t be automated, and so on. 

‍ 

The structure of an IoT-based BMS can be broadly represented as a tree that has been constructed hierarchically. Field devices populate the lowest level, which is then connected to the second tier of IoT gateways.

These two layers are necessary to efficiently connect all devices and enable communication with the cloud and BMS platforms. To be used at the last level, the BMS platform’s user interface, the data gathered by the IoT gateways is subsequently routed to the cloud and BMS platform for analysis, processing, visualization, and presentation. Data security, rapid and simple connectivity, remote access, real-time IoT monitoring systems, data analysis, and system scalability are all made possible by this type of design

Modifications made to facilities using IoT-based BMS

Here are some of the main reasons why integrating an IoT-based building management system is becoming essential to effective facility management:

1. Assertive Maintenance

Asset status and performance history can be actively monitored using data gathered over the network and stored in the cloud. Understanding the asset requirements and other helpful measures, like mean time to failure and mean time to repair, requires this data. 

These diverse data sources and insights are used to track all maintenance activities, generate emergency work orders, create unique and effective preventative maintenance programs, and provide real-time safety or failure alarms.

2. Effective Gathering and Handling of Data

All linked devices may have their data safely and effectively captured, which is useful for assessing various metrics including occupancy and energy usage. Without massive servers and enormous control centers, integrating the cloud into the system is beneficial for real-time data collecting and storage. This is excellent if you want to check asset performance, energy consumption, facility occupancy, and other information at any time by pulling up a dashboard.

Adding to the list of advantages is the ability to easily organize and visualize the gathered data on the dashboard, making it accessible to anybody who might be interested. 

3. Sustainability

IoT-based systems can help facilities operate more sustainably and thoughtfully. Monitoring all resources and physical operations can assist in locating wasteful energy sinks and inefficient use of resources. Additionally, it helps avoid reactive maintenance as much as possible, which is something to watch out for because an asset that finally breaks completely would have been using a lot of energy or producing more emissions than usual, among other things. 

4. Cost Efficiency

Combining the aforementioned benefits results in decreased downtime and longer asset lifespans from appropriate maintenance, effective data management that promotes optimal facility operation and resource allocation, and simple, cost-effective scalability. All of these advantages raise the return on investment while reducing unnecessary maintenance and repair expenses for your property.

5. Better Security

With the real-time status reporting that the connected system provides, the possibility of unexpected malfunctions brought on by neglect and neglect can be eliminated. Apart from analysis and maintenance, this implies a higher level of significance. It is a fantastic function that fixes problems before they become long overdue, preventing accidents and inconveniences of any kind at work.

In addition to workplace security, data security is a critical issue. Even when connected to the cloud, an IoT-based BMS has robust security protocols and safety algorithms to protect data. Physical data storage and manual reporting are not necessary and could be handled carelessly.

Challenges to be Considered in IoT-enabled BMS

Although there are many advantages to retrofitting IoT to BMS, there may also be drawbacks that should be taken into account.

Integration Complexity: To guarantee a smooth operation with the current BMS, BMS integration with IoT devices necessitates meticulous planning and seamless interoperability

Data Security and Privacy: Strong security measures are required due to the potential of cybersecurity threats and data privacy issues that arise with more connectivity.

Cost considerations: Although there are many long-term advantages, the initial expenses of installing and retrofitting IoT devices must be carefully considered.

When starting a project, the simplest and safest method to reduce these possible hazards is to work with professionals like Origin Smart Controls to ensure you get these implementations right and limit your exposure.

Implementing iot development services can significantly enhance building management by enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimized resource allocation. 

Organizations may increase the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of their built environments by utilizing real-time data and connectivity. Despite certain difficulties, IoT retrofitting is a compelling investment for the future of facility management since the potential advantages greatly exceed the drawbacks.

Future of IoT in Building Management Systems

IoT in building management appears to have a bright future since ongoing technological developments are expected to expand the potential of smart buildings. Building management will become even more efficient because of the predictive analytics and self-governing decision-making skills that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are predicted to provide.

Furthermore, quicker data processing and real-time response will be made possible by the combination of IoT with other cutting-edge technologies like edge computing and 5G. This will enhance performance and the overall tenant experience by enabling facility managers to respond quickly to changing circumstances. 

CIM platforms will continue to be at the forefront of smart building technology development, offering the essential infrastructure required to facilitate the smooth functioning of building management systems enabled by the Internet of Things.

Conclusion

While there are still issues with data security and integration, the advantages of IoT in building management greatly exceed the drawbacks. As technology develops, IoT-enabled building management systems will become a crucial part of contemporary building operations, laying the groundwork for a more connected and sustainable future. 

IoT is transforming building management systems by making them smarter, more efficient, and more responsive to occupant needs. Using IoT devices, sensors, and platforms, smart building technology offers real-time insights and automation capabilities that drive significant improvements in energy efficiency, predictive maintenance, and occupant comfort.