This post is also published at Security Today Feb 2011 (Page 41), To see Smart Lighting Controls in working Visit our Booth # 4 Hall 7 on 24-26 Feb 11 at ACREX INDIA 11
A few years ago, the first visual which came to mind, once the phrase ‘Automated Building Management System’ was spoken, was that of complicated electronics with flashing devices and robots. Times have changed and we are in the phase of communication maturity with the advent of 3G and other advanced systems. Today, I can foresee ‘Office 2020’ being defined as Intelligent & Automated Space, with every office and home having such systems, irrespective of the size of home/office. A trend towards the same is already in progress and will soon gain quick popularity.
Based on this trend, there is a significant increase in talks of Building Management Systems. Today such systems are simple, easy to install, and even easier to operate. Even with limited knowledge of technology, its owners can use the system to control various aspects of their building, whether home or office. It is indeed the power of technology itself that makes it look so simple.
Talking about the various aspects of Building Management System, it includes Security Solutions- Access Control products which can be controlled on the click of a button, remotely accessible CCTV Cameras, Advanced Motion Detectors, Fire Alarm Systems, Remote Alarm Systems, Visitor Tracker and Controller, Critical Information Manager, Threat Assessment Systems, Vulnerability Controller, and many others. Such systems also include Environmental Control Solutions- Occupancy Sensing products, lighting controllers, HVAC Digital Controlling Systems, and various other Utility Management solutions. Life Safety Systems like Sprinkler Supervisor, Smoke Detector, Elevator Managers, and Emergency Communicators are also parts of the Building Management System.
So, in short, everything ranging from luxury to necessity is within the control of a few buttons now, and the best part is that it’s not limited to large offices anymore. Let us take the example of a small office belonging to a small-sized enterprise and think from its point of view. A small company is primarily focused on saving time and energy while extracting best possible performance from its employees. Its budget is limited by resources and hence every penny it spends should give a substantial return.
Now this small company can reduce the energy costs in its office significantly without diverting even an iota of its focus from work. Automatically, a system controls lights, heaters, ventilators, ACs, computers, and other energy consuming systems. And while reducing these costs significantly, the capital needed is only nominal in comparison to the benefits provided. This is possible through various advancements in BMS. Strangely a BMS already looks like an inherent requirement when I have not even talked about the comfort it provides through control over surroundings. Moreover, additional security is provided to these small facilities without even needing to choose other aspects of building management solutions.
So, we saw how small offices can benefit from such solutions. Let’s move on to talk about another group of beneficiaries- small, medium and large sized homes. Home Automation System provides similar benefits as mentioned for offices- it saves money for the consumer, and also provides automated security, while creating a comfortable and relaxing zone.
Think of the benefits if you could do these in your home: Get notifications sent to you at work or messages sent on your mobile if a motion detector or security system is tripped while out of the house. Get notifications with the caller ID information of a call received at your house when out. Press one button to suit the environment of the room based on your mood. Have a single button dim the lights, set the volume level, and start playing a movie and music which you desire. Change the mood of the house on the arrival of guest on single button click. Automatically turn the lights on in the house when the main door opens and after sunset. Automatically adjust for daylight savings. Remote control all access to the house. Automatically turn on holiday lights at specific times. Control energy usage by Refrigerators, Heaters, Ventilators and other household products. Manage security of family and home while having a holiday or business trip. And the list of benefits goes on as long as your imagination can take you to. The lifestyle of a family need not be changed with such systems; rather the systems adapt themselves to suit you.
People complain of technology taking control of their lives and even limiting their business decisions. I agree that these building management systems do take control of activities in office or in home, but ironically, by taking control they ought to give us more freedom. And such freedom is now needed on a personal and basic level- the level where the most popular products for Building Management Systems will be Small Office Management System and Home Management System. Homes and Small Offices are also buildings and they are in focus now.
Interestingly, C.K. Prahalad, commonly known as the guru of poverty and profit, envisioned something similar years ago, when he talked about bottom of the pyramid. He introduced us to the importance of business generated by the masses- individually small sales but large number of individuals. Similarly, we can draw a parallel to the business world and claim that SME (small and medium enterprise) is the ‘bottom of the pyramid’ in this world. And, as we saw high quality FMCG products being specifically made for Indian middle class, we are definitely going to see office products being created particularly for Small and Medium sized companies. Ventures like Incept and few others have taken steps towards the same, and Building Management Solution forms an integral part of this journey.
With every passing day, Building Management Solutions are becoming even simpler to use and more economical to buy. Also, these systems are becoming flexible enough to automatically suit requirements based on customers’ applications. Needs are dictated by availability and reach; and with these systems getting more popular and available, its time when we can say that BMS is no more luxury of the rich but ‘need of all’.
Advanced and Intelligent Building Management Solutions for Micro, Small and Medium sized companies, and for homes of all shapes and sizes- this is my vision for every building of the future. And it is already in progress!
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