When facilities managers talk about your BAS, they are referring to the centralized control system of your building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), along with other systems such as lighting, security, and power generation. The BAS is responsible for keeping your learning environments optimal and your building running efficiently throughout the various seasons.
It is important not to get caught up in system protocols, or how the equipment communicates, when deciding on a BAS for your facility. Most systems on the market can communicate with multiple protocols. The real focus should be on your controls platform. Obtaining an open platform provides the ability to easily integrate almost any kind of protocol; avoiding proprietary systems will save owners the associated risks.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, proprietary protocol systems create “captured facilities” by tying BAS to a single vendor or equipment company. Initially, the BAS could be less expensive to install, but over time the associated costs continue to increase. Servicing, repairs, and replacement parts must now all come from that single vendor, which in turn eliminates cost advantages that come with vendor independent service options.
