April 21, 2003—Johnson Controls is introducing a new Web services-based facility management platform. The Metasys building management system incorporates Microsoft’s .NET-connected software, providing operational efficiencies and cost-savings to building owners. This technology will allow businesses and other organizations to easily interconnect and manage a wide range of facility systems.
Johnson explains that in the past, institutional and commercial facilities were limited in their operation since power, heating, air conditioning, lighting, fire, and security systems came in proprietary packages, which restricted how and from where they could be controlled. It also limited how data from those systems could be accessed and transformed into meaningful information.
The Johnson Controls Web services-based Metasys technology uses Microsoft .NET-connected software not only to integrate the operation of those systems, but also to link them to the management information systems integral to every enterprise. According to Johnson, this allows enterprise-wide connectivity, monitoring, data acquisition, and reporting of vital operational information, at less cost and effort.
For example, Johnson explains, the Metasys technology can automatically link with a school’s calendar database to turn on and then turn off the lights and heat in a school building that is being used for a weekend event, eliminating the need for duplicate entries, processes, and operators. No special computer code must be written to effect the connection. Further, the school district’s facility director can monitor and command the building’s operation from any browser, if an unscheduled event is to take place.
Johnson Controls points to the following among several other benefits. Reduced expenses: proprietary workstations and software are eliminated. Distributed access: The Web services-based Metasys provides real-time information any time. Meaningful data: The system transforms data into useful information easily accessible to any interested manager, not just facilities staff.
For more information contact Johnson Controls.
