McKenney’s is over seventy years old. When my boss’ grandfather began selling and installing floor furnaces in the 1940s, the controls (such as they were) were 100% analog. To say things are different today is a monumental understatement. In the years that have followed, McKenney’s has not only developed the process and facilities to produce the hardware needed for even … Read More
Software Helping Teams Stay Safer
Commercial offices have long lists of best practices to ensure the safety of everyone who walks through their doors, but what if your facility could leverage software to ensure a healthy building and predict a healthier environment? By the second quarter of 2020, our Automation & Controls team, deep in the trenches of COVID, was certain that our customers had … Read More
Smart Systems that can Lower Operating Costs
Regardless of industry or market, facility owners and managers have two mandates: to keep systems running and keep costs low, all while keeping the building’s occupants comfortable and safe. This is difficult enough in a campus spread out across several acres, and exponentially more in large Class A buildings with multiple stories. To remedy these stumbling blocks, a solution needs … Read More
Identify System Deficiencies to Improve Facility Operations
The top goal of facilities management is to operate efficiently and effectively. This is true regardless of the industry or setting. Inefficient management wastes resources and increases costs. Good management improves the facility’s bottom line. The following are some best practices that can be implemented to help meet the goal of improving operations. Automate systems A facility’s major systems, such … Read More
When it Comes to Controls, What is Best for the Customer?
For years, the history of building automation and controls was defined by large organizations selling all the controls in a building and tying that customer to a particular brand for a typical span of 15-20 years.
What’s the Deal with Open Systems and the Open System Protocol?
Have you made a purchase where you were told service and maintenance were not only included, but readily available? If you are in the commercial property management industry then I am positive you can relate when it comes to getting service for Building Automation and HVAC controls.
Keeping an Eye Watch on the Industry: Johnson Controls’ Merger with TYCO
Anyone in the building automation industry will tell you that technology is moving at the speed of thought. Most people tend to focus on the “big four,” which are Johnson, Trane, Honeywell and Siemens. Whenever any of these parties makes a major play, the whole industry asks two questions, what is going on and what does this do to our … Read More
Cloud Based Physical Security
Yes, you read the title correctly even though it may seem to be contradictory that providing Physical security of your facility designed to maintain the safety of your building occupants and protect your company’s valuable assets can be managed by a cloud hosted service that does not require any physical network infrastructure in your building. But it is true.
Realcomm and IBcon 2016
I just returned from the 17th annual Realcomm/IBcon conference held this year in the heart of Silicon Valley – San Jose, California. The event featured six unique tracks with education sessions presented from more than 100 advisors from the Real Estate, Technology, and System Integrators communities. Since its inception, Realcomm/IBcon was intended to bring together the brightest minds and most … Read More
Ambiguity and Mystery in Building Automation
From the days of pneumatic tubing and controls to the finest digital building control system, there have been quite a few technology leaps; yet, the fact remains the same: the whole industry wants their buildings smarter and more automated. Removing the mysterious veil from automation has become a high priority in the cyber-driven, technology-centric marketplace, and the customer is increasingly … Read More
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