Building automation industry: challenges on the horizon

IoT is helping to enable the integration of multiple systems in a building. However, there are some challenges that still need to be tackled — the lack of cost-effective solutions and vulnerability to cyberattacks.

Challenges Ahead

Of course, as users increasingly interact with the system, more thought should be given to optimizing the user experience. Benjamin Freas, Principal Research Analyst at Navigant Research, talked about rethinking the way occupants interact with a building. He explained, “Part of this will be driven by better sensing and automation, enabling a building to know what you want without telling it. But, it will also include better smartphone integration and, perhaps, a complete rethink of the physical points of interaction to the built environment: light switches, thermostats, badge readers, etc.”

There is also an increase in the adoption of mobile apps to further enhance the user experience as access control systems are a critical element to building automation systems (BAS).

Rick Focke, Senior Product Manager for Building Technologies & Solutions at Johnson Controls, attributes this growing popularity in mobile apps for cardholders to their ability to provide GPS-based mobile alerts, remote door unlocking and two-factor authentication for higher security areas. “Historically, access control mobile apps were geared toward the system operator, and provided more of an admin function,” said Focke. “We will see tighter integration in the mobile app area, getting cardholders more involved in their building and being able to provide instant feedback and notifications.”

Honeywell has a similar approach. The Honeywell Vector Occupant app provides digital identification and integrates with core building functions, including access and comfort control, to enhance the building occupant experience with a touch of the screen. It provides great convenience in access control for users by eliminating the need for physical cards or fobs, and allows for easy and real-time temperature adjustments instead of the more time-consuming process of seeking out a facility manager.

On the other hand, cybersecurity remains a difficult issue to deal with. Turner indicated that addressing and maintaining cybersecurity are significant challenges — especially as users make more and more use of networks and tap into IoT connectivity. “It’s not easy to take systems from four or five different vendors and securely connect them together,” said Freas. “As buildings get more connected, cybersecurity is an increasing concern. There is a growing awareness of the threat of cybersecurity across multiple stakeholders. Yet, the market has yet to codify a robust response.”

What can we expect in this marketspace? The entrance of new lower-cost solutions and players. “IoT can help our customers to solve problems that they’ve had for years, but maybe haven’t been able to tackle until now due to the absence of a cost-effective solution. They are asking how to use the existing network and data to solve the problems. If their network isn’t fully equipped to take advantage of IoT concepts, they’re starting to look at adding the necessary components — like sensors — to fully use the existing network and infrastructure to solve a particular business problem,” said Greg Turner, VP of Honeywell Building Solutions.

New players may pose a threat or provide an opportunity to traditional BAS vendors. Konkana Khaund, Director of Consulting at Frost & Sullivan, indicated that the market is very consolidated and rely on some of the big players for their solutions. She also sees there is a tendency of smaller players entering the market bringing innovative controllers and IoT-based offerings to help the solutions go much further than they have today.

Freas said, “More and more startups are introducing hardware, software and services that are much lower cost, with alternative implementation approaches and services that can threaten BAS. An increasing number of partnerships are also emerging to enhance BAS with IoT and expand relationships with traditional customers. From a competition standpoint, we have seen multiple new entrants in the market in the past several years — from startups to IT giants. This will continue.”