What if your HVAC system could anticipate failures and fix itself before you even knew there was a problem? Sound like sci-fi? Think again. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just playing chess or writing poetry—it’s...
Technology
Plain-English explainers on tech that actually helps on site: alarms, analytics, APIs and integrations that reduce effort—not add it.
Energy Efficiency in Older Buildings: Retrofitting Solutions for the 21st Century
When it comes to energy efficiency, older buildings often get a bad rap. Constructed long before modern efficiency standards and packed with aging systems, they’re perceived as energy hogs. Yet, these structures—whether historic...
How Machine Learning is Transforming Building Climate Control
Imagine stepping into a building where the temperature feels like it was custom-made for you—not based on a generic standard, but perfectly aligned with your preferences, activity level, and even how you're feeling that day....
AI vs Machine Learning: What’s the Difference?
AI and machine learning (ML) are often used interchangeable, but they’re not technically the same thing. However, the difference is smaller than you think, and once you understand it, you’ll never mistake the two again. The following is a very basic explanation and...
IT vs OT Systems: What’s the Difference?
Information Technology (IT) and Operations Technology (OT) are two distinct yet interconnected fields that play critical roles in modern organizations. IT deals with the use of technology to support business processes, while OT focuses on the use of technology to...
What Are Database Schemas?
Although often overlooked by building managers and engineers, data schemas are essential to the efficient building management, data analysis and system automation. That’s because schemas are the building blocks of effective database management. Without them, you...
BACnet Basics: What are Device Profiles?
In this article in our BACnet Basics Series, we look at Device Profiles, why they’re important and how they’re created. We’ve also included a real world example that illustrates how to use device profiles to accurately specify your own projects. What are Device...
BACnet Basics: What are BIBBs?
Every complex topic or field needs a helpful naming system. Scientists name flora and fauna by genus and species. Even astronomers have their own planetary nomenclature. Standard naming conventions do just that—they standardize how we talk about things. They’re also a...
Effective Cybersecurity Habits for Your BAS
Properties need effective cybersecurity measures. Cybercriminals don’t just attack high profile companies and governments; they target small to medium businesses too. Computer viruses range from annoying adware infiltrating your browser to costly ransomware attacks....
Hands-Free Building Tech You Probably Didn’t Know Existed
In a post-COVID workplace, “hands-free” is the new buzz world. It’s also the new hygiene standard. At times, it may seem the pandemic has turned everyone into Adrian Monk. But you needn’t be an OCD-suffering detective to solve the mystery of the old hygiene standard;...
4 Common Types of Touch Screens and How They Work
Touch screens are ubiquitous. We use them at the grocery store to check out, and at the airport to check in. They’re at visitor center kiosks, our banks, our homes and even in our cars. And today, because they’re the primary interface of smartphones, touch screens are...
The FM Checklist for SaaS Procurement
Software-as-a-service (SaaS) is a growing trend in FM because of several advantages cloud-based services deliver over in-house development. For one, it’s generally cheaper to outsource your software needs rather than spend time and money developing a bespoke solution....