Building management systems/building automation systems

Almost every sizable building regardless of its use will have some form of technology that is used to connect and manage the building’s control systems. These computer-based control systems monitor and manage mechanical and electrical equipment, such as energy management, HVAC, and lighting systems. The control system is commonly referred to as the Building Management System (BMS), or the Building Automation System (BAS). While there is a technical difference between BMS and BAS, the terms are used interchangeably, and the differences are very minor. A BMS is focused on monitoring and maintaining building operations with supervisory control, while a BAS is typically a subset that is designed for the automation of building systems with limited energy-efficiency capabilities.

The goals of these computer-based systems are to improve system uptimes, improve system efficiency, reduce costs, and improve safety and occupant...