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2 min read

BAM 089: The 4 step process for dealing with old BAS controls

By Phil Zito on Oct 30, 2017 6:00:32 AM

Depending on what studies you read, 40% to 60% of the Building Automation Systems installed are more than 20 years old. On the surface, this wouldn’t be much of an issue but the real problem is that many of the BAS systems can no longer be replaced and the professionals who understand how to service them are leaving in droves.

Topics: Podcasts
2 min read

BAM 088: The 7 outputs of the BAS design process

By Phil Zito on Oct 23, 2017 6:00:46 AM

At the end of the day, you are judged by the outputs from your designs. In this episode, I walk you through the 7 design outputs you should focus on when producing BAS designs. Producing a quality design is the biggest factor in whether your BAS project will be a cost overrun failure or a case study worthy project.
Topics: smart building Podcasts
3 min read

BAM 087: The four step BAS design lifecycle

By Phil Zito on Sep 25, 2017 6:00:37 AM

I've been the victim of some really bad designs and if I'm honest with you, I've also created a few really bad designs... The thing is, no one really teaches this topic.
Topics: smart buildings Podcasts
2 min read

BAM 086: The In and outs of a BAS Design

By Phil Zito on Sep 18, 2017 6:00:15 AM

Have you ever stopped and thought about what is required to create a good BAS design... and then once that design is created, what deliverables should you expect to receive?

If this topic seems a little muddy to you, you're not alone. Despite all of the talk out there about IoT and analytics, when it comes to the topic of BAS Design (something that affects way more projects than any IoT solution ever will) the Internet is eerily silent...

The reason is, there are not that many folks who can teach you how to create a good design. I mean think about it. Besides for ASHRAES Guideline 13-2015, which you can purchase for $99. There's not much out there. But even that guideline doesn't address the core issue.

How does one design a BAS? Over the next several episodes I am going to be tackling this exact issue. In this episode, we are going to unpack the inputs and outputs that are created as part of the design process. You are going to learn:

  • The 3 design inputs you must understand
  • What the one piece of information you absolutely must locate in the specification is
  • Why you're controller drawings actually confuse your installer
  • How to eliminate project slippage (hint... it has something to do with your bill of materials)
  • And much more!

 

Thanks for Listening!

Want me to answer your question on the podcast? Click here to submit your question.

I'm glad to have you here, and I look forward to your feedback in the comments below.

Topics: Podcasts
2 min read

BAM 085: 7 tips for troubleshooting IP Controls Networks

By Phil Zito on Sep 11, 2017 6:00:33 AM

You've got an IP controls network and you're in a world of hurt because it's not working. You search Google looking for ideas, tech support puts you on hold for hours trying to help the thousands of other folks just like you.

You're feeling hopeless.

But it's not hopeless. In this episode, I provide you 7 tips that you can apply immediately to help you troubleshoot your IP controls network. Success is just around the corner, have a listen...

In this episode you will learn:

  • The #1 trick to troubleshooting an IP controls network...
  • Why DHCP can be your best friend or your worst nightmare
  • How to make sure your BAS isn't being bumped off the network
  • How to determine if you have a cross boundary issue (if you don't know what a boundary is, you need to listen to this episode!)
  • And much more!

 

Thanks for Listening!

Want me to answer your question on the podcast? Click here to submit your question.

I'm glad to have you here, and I look forward to your feedback in the comments below.

Topics: IP controls Podcasts
3 min read

BAM 084: The step-by-step process to design an IP Controls system

By Phil Zito on Aug 28, 2017 6:00:18 AM

In my last podcast episode, I explained what IP BAS controls are.

In this episode, I'm going to be diving even deeper down the rabbit hole and exploring how to design IP control systems. This episode is perfect for technical and non-technical folks. By the time you finish listening to this episode you will have a solid understanding of exactly what you need to know about designing your own IP BAS controls system.

In this episode you will learn:

  • The big difference between IP and non-IP designs
  • The different physical architectures of IP controls
  • A step-by-step plan for designing wireless and wired IP control systems
  • The key criteria you need to consider when designing wireless systems
  • The exact questions you should ask before you ever design an IP control system

 

Thanks for Listening!

Want me to answer your question on the podcast? Click here to submit your question.

I'm glad to have you here, and I look forward to your feedback in the comments below.

Topics: Podcasts
3 min read

BAM 083: 7 Things About IP Controls Your Customer Wants To Know

By Phil Zito on Aug 21, 2017 6:00:19 AM

IP controls are one of the hottest trends in the building automation world right now.

Yet for many folks in the BAS profession, IP controls are a mystery. Despite the prolific marketing by some of the largest BAS brands there still is a ton of confusion as to what IP controls are and what they can do!

That's why I created what may be my best podcast episode yet. In this episode, and over the next couple episodes, I am going to dive deep into the topic of IP controls. In this episode

In this episode you will learn:

  • What are IP enabled controls?
  • How are they different than normal BAS controls?
  • What are the use cases for IP Controls?
  • Do IP controls cost more?
  • What are the pros of IP controls?
  • What are the cons of IP controls?
  • How do IP controls affect the design process?

 

Thanks for Listening!

Want me to answer your question on the podcast? Click here to submit your question.

I'm glad to have you here, and I look forward to your feedback in the comments below.

Topics: Podcasts
2 min read

BAM 82: 7 tips to mastering networks

By Phil Zito on Aug 14, 2017 6:00:20 AM

You can master networking...

But you need to start now! In this episode, I give you 7 tips that have been immensely helpful to me over my career in BAS.

That's it... No fluff just tons of valuable insight around networking. You won't want to miss this one!

You will learn:

  • Why you must understand the first four layers of the OSI Model
  • How Ethernet and IP are not the same
  • The difference between Frames and Packets
  • Understand Physical vs Virtual Lans
  • Why Broadcast domains are vitally important
  • How Subnets and Default Gateways work
  • The importance of Trunking and QoS

 

Thanks for Listening!

Want me to answer your question on the podcast? Click here to submit your question.

I'm glad to have you here, and I look forward to your feedback in the comments below.

Topics: building automation Podcasts
2 min read

BAM 81: Building Automation Servers 101

By Phil Zito on Aug 7, 2017 6:00:26 AM

What is a building automation server?

What does it do?

Should I cloud host my server? Should I use a desktop or server class platform?

If you've ever wondered these questions then this episode is for you!

In this episode, I unpack the topic of BAS servers. I dive deep into the topic of BAS servers.

You will learn:

  • What a server is and how it works?
  • Why you shouldn't use your server as a client
  • When you should cloud host your server (and when you shouldn't)
  • Why your choice of server architecture can make or break your BAS installation
  • And much, much more!

 

Thanks for Listening!

Want me to answer your question on the podcast? Click here to submit your question.

I'm glad to have you here, and I look forward to your feedback in the comments below.

Topics: smartbuildings Podcasts BAS Servers
2 min read

BAM 080: The How to Guide to BAS Careers Part II

By Phil Zito on Aug 4, 2017 6:00:55 AM

In my previous podcast episode, I talked through how you can enter the building automation field. But what if you are already in the field?

More specifically, what if you are trying to build your own building automation group?

If you've ever wondered how to build a building automation team or how to run an existing building automation team then this is the episode for you!

In this episode I discuss:

  • The two main types of BAS work
  • How to organize a project focused BAS team
  • Whether or not to have an in house BAS group or an external BAS group
  • What the future holds for BAS teams and what skills you should hire right now
  • How cloud and IoT tie into your BAS business
  • Why you should shift your business to a residual income model

Thanks for Listening!

Want me to answer your question on the podcast? Click here to submit your question.

I'm glad to have you here, and I look forward to your feedback in the comments below.

Topics: smart building Podcasts

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