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Originally published on TheS4Group.com

Building management software (BMS) and building automation systems (BAS) will sometimes come packaged with an optional, limited style of mobile access through a building management app. However, when these applications require you to be connected to the building network to access the system, this is not really “remote” access so much as the option to use a phone or tablet while on site.

Building Automation Software (BAS) can be remarkably complex. Depending on the size of the facility, you may have tens or even hundreds of unique lighting, electrical, heat, cooling, ventilation, IAQ sensor, and other devices to monitor and control. 

A comfortable, healthy, happy environment helps people stay productive. And yet, according to a study by HBR, the number one environmental factor employees cite as important to their workplace wellness is better air quality—not access to a gym or other company office perks like snacks or tech-based health tools. Only a third of survey respondents “characterized their office temperature as ideal.”

There are a ton of facility management apps out there to choose from, but the differences in their capabilities can be vast. Many that claim to offer “remote” access, for example, actually mean that you can access the system using proprietary facilities management mobile apps—but must still be on the local network for your BAS, which generally means being on-site.  A truly remote option, like ODIN, would function from anywhere. Here are seven questions to ask as you compare your options.

Smart homes—and the automated technology they helped make popular—entered the scene in the tail-end of the 1990s and found their foothold in the early 2000s. The prospect of a home autonomously managing lighting, heating, and other actions seemed right out of a movie, and it was only a matter of time before those smart technology solutions found a home in other environments.

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about indoor air quality (IAQ), so many that even the most experienced of building operators and HVAC technicians may find themselves scratching their heads. This is why, when it comes down to it, the only way to know what indoor air quality control is supposed to look like is to consult with the source.

Building management is changing, and remote access technologies are responsible for some of the most dynamic and meaningful changes affecting the industry.

An office’s HVAC systems are predominantly responsible for the level of air quality filtered into the building. If you want to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) for your facility, start by implementing the following HVAC tips.

The future of building management is all about visibility and automation. Gone are the days of meticulously monitoring and adjusting commercial HVAC systems with cumbersome, on-site tools. Instead, building managers and engineers are tapping into a wealth of HVAC products that can automatically track trends, maintain comfortable environments, and delegate tasks to the relevant parties.