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The Next Big Thing In Building Automation




By Ken Sinclair

We are extremely pleased to have Andy McMillan's column as the harbinger of change and why we always need to be always part of a self-learning culture because the next wave is now upon us. Be sure to read “AHR Chicago: Not So enLIGHTening. The Next Big Thing Had an Itty-bitty Presence” by Andy McMillan, strategy consultant & president, BACnet International.

Here is a peek at his words:

"Walking the AHR show floor and listening to conversations at the nearby bars is always instructive. In addition, it’s often a useful way to get a line on what will be the Next Big Thing in the arena of building automation. Not so this year, though. In fact, the biggest thing on the horizon for building automation was hardly present at all.  I’m talking, of course, about an emerging category of lighting automation solutions that focus on creating new value in existing buildings. The impact of these solutions and the companies that provide them will be dramatic because they will change the way the market works. 

"Value Creation Is the Key

"Traditionally, most automation projects are framed as energy optimization efforts.  The primary driver is return on investment, measured in terms of cost reductions and/or sustainability enhancements. The emergence of cost-effective LED lighting and associated controls will allow suppliers to provide dynamic lighting solutions that change the value of the building by making its utilization more productive."

Ken Sinclair is the founder, owner, and publisher of an online resource called AutomatedBuildings.com. He writes a monthly column for FacilitiesNet.com about what is new in the Internet of Things (IOT) for building automation.

Part 1: Creating Self-Learning Cultures


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posted on 3/2/2015