For those new to remote monitoring or those who are unsure if they are using it to its full potential, we have put together a handy guide on the subject. Our introduction to remote monitoring software provides advice on how it works and how to utilise its benefits.
What is remote monitoring software?
On a basic level, remote monitoring software allows businesses to remotely access, view, and consolidate operating data from any device within a building connected via the Internet of Things (IoT). These smart devices send data to a central control system front-end which forwards it via cloud technology to the remote monitoring software.
Devices on hundreds of sites worldwide can be viewed, compared, and analysed, allowing facility managers to optimise site performance and catch faults early to prevent expensive maintenance or equipment breakdowns.
Standout software platforms will also provide the option to triage HVAC equipment malfunctioning or underperformance alarms based on their urgency. The alarms are raised automatically by intelligent monitoring devices. This approach ensures that critical alarms are dealt with quickly and eliminates staff hours spent dealing with non-essential alarms.
Which parts of a building can be monitored remotely?
Any part of the building infrastructure that is monitored by a smart device can be monitored remotely. This includes building infrastructure components such as HVAC equipment, refrigeration, lighting, and intruder alarms.
What type of data can be collected?
While it varies between different software options, effective solutions will consolidate data on:
- Energy use - generating reports on consumption and trend
- Equipment status - providing crucial data such as refrigeration temperatures, plant performance, and more
- Alarms and alerts - reporting on plant performance alarms
What are the benefits?
Efficient remote monitoring software will offer a host of benefits that help organisations work towards their net zero goals and save operating costs by reducing energy use and prolonging equipment lifespans through predictive maintenance.
It will also generate reports based on data from the HVACR system which will help facility managers optimise operating processes even further.
Features that help businesses reduce operational emissions include:
- Consolidating reports of maintenance, energy and alarm/alert management: analyses of trends allow optimising operating practices
- Predictive maintenance: daily operating reports highlight potential issues early and prevent costly break-downs
- Data sharing: collecting data from multiple sites and generating reports and statistics for further analysis
What considerations should be taken into account before selecting a system?
Before selecting remote monitoring software, business objectives should be set first. Based on those, it can be determined which systems need to be monitored, what data needs to be collected and how that data is going to be analysed and used to achieve the objectives.
In order to get the most out of remote monitoring software, it is worth looking at the existing BMS infrastructure. Only if all equipment specified in the business objectives – HVAC system, refrigeration, lighting, alarms, etc. – are connected via the IoT and to a control system front-end, will it be possible to feed the necessary data into the remote monitoring software.
Who should consider it?
Remote monitoring software is suitable for any organisation looking to collect and analyse data from multiple sites.
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