Automation

While home automation or domotics concerns smart systems that can be enabled in private homes, industrial automation implements a coordinated and integrated management of the technological systems, IT and communication networks used in a business organization or manufacturing site.

Industrial automation is a global solution that combines all systems, subsystems and equipment to integrate them in an intelligent way, so that they can communicate with each other.

In this configuration, any change in the parameters controlled by a single subsystem results in a control, regulation or command action for devices that may even belong to another system. The simplest and most practical application example is the presence detection sensor of a security system, which can also be used to service the lighting and heating systems of an area or room, switching on and off devices based on the presence or absence of people inside. This also fulfils another important requirement of today’s automation systems: energy efficiency.

A building automation solution is used to handle the complex aspects of extensive and heterogeneous systems such as, for example, shopping malls, hospitals, hotel, executive buildings, and industrial plants.

Heating and air conditioning, electric and lighting management, plumbing, security, multimedia and entertainment systems are just some of the applications that today are almost always integrated in the centralized supervision system of a building, whose role is to ensure the continuous operation of all the services and utilities, and also activate special procedures in case of an emergency (e.g. UPS units, pumps, emergency exits…).

The purposes of an automation solution can therefore be summarized as follows:

• Improve the overall efficiency of systems and services, based on multiple signals and data that allow for a continuous monitoring of all the operating parameters
• Increase the security of the building/facility through a greater interaction between prevention, detection, signalling, and emergency management subsystems
• Maximize user comfort, while ensuring maximum energy efficiency
• Streamline maintenance work
• Support the staff in charge of the control and management of security

From a design and development perspective, technologies from the IoT and Cloud world are introduced.

• The starting point, or rather the backbone of any building automation solution, is the interconnection infrastructure.

• Devices become IP endpoints, capable of communicating with supervision and control platforms, as well as with all other digital solutions. It is a true IoT context that allows a building manager to always control, in real time, all the device states and know, for example, when a failure occurs. The dashboards produced generate multiple reports that can be used to optimize the operation of the various technological systems, starting from the lighting or air conditioning system (HVAC).

• The cloud plays a key role in smart buildings. The truly significant (big) data that are collected by automation systems can, in fact, be stored in the cloud, where they are analysed and managed with advanced analytics

The Facility Manager can access all the information through appropriate cloud interface apps simply from a smartphone or tablet, and undertake the most appropriate initiatives and actions for the management of the building.

• These IoT & Cloud configurations expose smart buildings to the potential risk of multi-layered cyber-attacks. For this reason, appropriate action and precautions must be adopted in the area of cybersecurity.

Despite a certain latency in the implementation of Building Automation solutions, the trend is inescapable, considering the huge functional, operating and management benefits offered and the urgent need to optimize both the CapEx and the impact of the OpEx.

Surveye has always been very attentive to technological developments and trends, as well as to future scenarios. So we have always propose open solutions that look at possible future integrations and service upgrades, in close collaboration and synergy with the most important suppliers and providers of the sector.