Page 64 - RC21 EDGE Summer Issue

Some smart building integrators are using big tech companies’ cloud platforms such as Microsoft’s Azure, Google’s Digital Buildings or Amazon Web Services to store, conform and analyze building data. If their clients are already using these cloud services, the interconnection to the building data is simply a matter of authorizing access.
With this level of integration, not only are high-level
views of the performance of a company’s entire portfolio easily provided, it also allows for data integration with systems such as enterprise software for financial, project management, asset tracking, etc., that don’t have hardware. There are other impacts and benefits, too. Let’s take a look these, as well as some concerns about this technology evolution.
Impact of Advances
Cost Savings
Here are four ways that the combination of AI and cloud computing realize cost savings:
1. Less hardware – Replacing hardware with cloud integration to connect platforms saves not only hardware cost, but the associated cabling, too. It
also makes smart building technology available and more affordable in existing buildings since it eliminates interruption to operations caused by hardware integration.
2. Ability to automatically tag points – Up to now, identifying points in a building’s control platform and mapping them to data points in the analytics software was a labor-intensive undertaking. Now, AI can read the points in a BMS and automatically tag and map with 80% accuracy.
3. Uploads remotely – Integration platforms can be uploaded remotely, saving the installer labor and travel costs. Tabba relates that, “We have installed systems in Europe, Australia and North America without setting foot in the building.”
4. Eliminates need for most meters – AI and analytics unlock more value from existing sensors on the BMS and other control platforms because they create ‘virtual’ meters using those existing sensors. As a result, fewer electric and BTU meters are needed.
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