Honeywell has published a white paper explaining how building operators can lower system installation and operational costs, reduce risk, increase safety and security and improve revenue potential by integrating key control and management information systems.
"The Value of Integration : Delivering Measurable ROI" shows how each milestone in the integration of a building’s management systems brings additional benefits to the operation in terms of cost savings and enhanced control and functionality.
It supports the findings of a survey of the North American market, carried out by Reed Construction Data in August 2005. The CABA Intelligent and Integrated Buildings Council Task Force 3 report looked at the type of systems installed and the financial savings made over a ten-year period.
The study found that the costs of installing a non-integrated, partially-integrated and fully integrated solution in a 300,000 square foot building were roughly similar. However, partial integration generated £800,000 more cost savings over a ten-year life cycle compared to non integration. Full integration added an extra £150,000 to that figure – almost £1m more than the non-integrated alternative.
Enterprise-wide intelligent solutions that integrate heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), security, fire detection and alarms, access and CCTV with other business systems add significant administrative, operational and management efficiencies to those financial savings and control benefits, it is claimed.
These intelligent solutions facilitate information sharing between departments and use the data to ensure automated building control processes perform on the basis of all available and relevant information, thereby increasing productivity whilst reducing costs and risk.
What they say
"Traditional building management systems have developed around separate, standalone applications that do a job, but don’t talk to each other," says Sue Alderman, Install Marketing Manager, EMEAI.
"That lack of communication is a big opportunity missed. Part-integrated solutions certainly provide some benefits, but the data held within those systems is still not being used to its full potential. The real power lies in integrating the different applications." For example, data collated in an intelligent system can be used to optimise system uptime, increase comfort levels, empower staff, improve occupancy rates and create opportunities for enhanced revenue streams.
The paper examines the value of fully integrated ‘intelligent’ solutions and looks at what is required to secure the greatest possible return from such an investment.
It also covers the importance of a flexible and robust IT infrastructure – essential in supporting intelligent, IP converged solutions that can accommodate change over time and distance – and lists the key considerations in selecting a network and a structured cabling provider. "Today’s building owners, facilities managers and occupiers are faced with achieving ever-increasing building and facilities management targets with static or declining budgets," says Sue Alderman.
"This paper shows how developing an intelligent solution can help them to create safer, more secure and more comfortable environments – and provide their organisation with substantial financial and operational benefits – efficiently and cost-effectively."
Copies of the paper – "The Value of Integration : Delivering Measurable ROI" – are available free of charge by calling Honeywell on 0870 600 1659.
