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.

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.