Feature


If your BEMS is outdated or no longer working as it should, this can cause it to become inefficient, negatively impacting energy efficiency goals and the environment as a result.


By updating or upgrading your BEMS, manufacturers can ensure their environments improve or maintain energy efficiency.


2. Remain up to date


Just like any other piece of software or technology, a BEMS can go out of date. And not in the way of an expiry date.


For many businesses, a BEMS is an inherent part of production, particularly for food and pharmaceutical manufacturers, who must ensure that their products are stored at certain temperatures and produced in the correct climates.


Without being updated or upgraded, a BEMS can increase service costs, decrease comfort levels and result in failed production, leading to further financial burden and implications for businesses. In addition, older systems can represent a cyber security risk being run on older software platforms.


Why wait until your current system fails, or lacks in reliability to update it? By regularly servicing your BEMS, and planning for upgrades, you stay one step ahead of the curve and minimise operational loss.


3. Increases productivity


BEMS also provide environmental controls, and the environment in which people work can have a huge effect on comfort, productivity, and wellbeing.


Whatever industry or sector you work in, this is definitely something to consider.


If employees aren’t comfortable and are working in environments that are too warm or too cold, this could have a negative impact on the business.


A report published by Savills and The British Council for Office shows that 48%1


of people believe


that the office can positively influence their mood and mental health, with temperature being one of the most important factors. Like the products that are being developed, employees also need to operate within comfortable climates to be at their best, which is where a fully functioning and operational BEMS can come into play to dictate temperature matters.


Common Mistakes To Avoid


Whilst there are various ways in which a BEMS can benefit a business or manufacturer when upgraded, there are also a few things to consider beforehand.


Consider the complete system. When a BEMS begins to fail, many customers will start to consider the upgrade, gathering costs to replace the BEMS controllers without looking at the complete system and original installation.


If, for example, the original BEMS was installed 20 years ago, then it is likely that wiring, control panels, the associated field equipment (sensors, valves, actuators) and plant (HVAC), may also be of the same age.


Whilst many industries and businesses have adapted to new ways of working, they must too, adapt the way in which they choose to control and monitor their environments.


Particularly for food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and


educational sectors, BEMS will take centre stage, playing a huge part in each industry’s development.


It is no longer enough to make do, or to anticipate failures in technology. We must think ahead, plan for the future and work to a continual upgrade pattern, rather than be averse to change. So, make changes now, to ensure a safer, more efficient future for all.


1: https://pdf.savills.com/documents/What_Workers_Want_2016.pdf fmuk 29


Replacing the BEMS controllers, without replacing faulty valves and actuators, will provide minimal benefit. Not considering the condition of existing wiring and control panels may also result in health and safety implications.


Here are some more mistakes to avoid: 1. Don’t assume you must upgrade to the same system In some sense, moving to the latest platform of an existing system may seem like a natural next step - the manufacturer may have the tools and processes to make it a smoother and more cost- effective route.


However, by employing the help of a BEMS expert, you will be able to consider a number of systems and find the best one to suit your building requirements.


As with any kind of market (and particularly technology) the needs and wants of today evolves at such at rapid pace, that the architecture to support it can either fall behind or scale accordingly. Speak to your BEMS advisor to understand which providers are operating with a high degree of productivity, return on investment and enhanced security for your business conditions.


2. Not considering a change in business needs Naturally, the needs of businesses can change,


now 12 alongside


building layouts, and this is even more apparent after the recent coronavirus pandemic. For example, was your cold storage originally maintained to six, but is


degrees? However


subtle or small over the years, enhancements or condition changes affect plant loading and control strategies, and therefore need to be taken into account to ensure the ongoing efficiency of your building.


3. Waiting for it to break


Don’t just wait for your BEMS to break. Businesses should plan and prepare for an upgrade and should always think ahead. Consider your business plans, goals and changes, and then see where your current BEMS fits in and when it will be best to fit in an update. Naturally,


a business may plan three to four years ahead at a time, so why not take into account your BEMS in this objective mix?


The Future Of BEMS


Going forwards, most, if not all businesses have been impacted by Covid-19, with business needs and requirements having changed quite dramatically.


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