Great read from Brian Turner, OTI (Nominated for ControlTrends Systems Integrator of the Year). A good Master Systems Integrator (MSI) can do a lot of things to help building owners and IT groups navigate the complexities of the Internet of Things, particularly on the Operational Technology side of the house. The MSI should offer a host of system-specific knowledge, with deep understanding of HVAC controls, lighting controls, or energy monitoring in any number of combinations. The most successful MSIs also have some IT expertise on staff to help with the design and implementation of the OT network.
The OT challenge for IT is never the connection. The process to connect OT devices is no different than the process for most IT devices. The biggest knowledge gap between IT and OT teams, which leads to IT discomfort, is the application of the devices and how the OT systems transmit and use the building data.
This chasm will not close quickly because OT devices like sensors are rapidly multiplying within buildings’ OT systems. In these discussions, the MSI is a consultant to the building owner, pointing out the right course for optimal OT functionality within the IT purview, or to represent the owner in discussions with the specific OT vendors. A key thing to note: it is rare for MSIs to actually install the OT systems connected to the IT backbone, this remains the domain of controls contractors, and rightfully so.
Rethinking the MSI Role so far, the MSI has not been elevated to the role of an architect, security consultant, network infrastructure provider, or ERP solution for buildings and the companies that own them. It is quite common for enterprises to standardize on a technology like Cisco or Microsoft for network infrastructure and operating systems. It is also common to standardize on access control and video platforms, even contractors. But there is little standardization among electrical distribution systems, HVAC control, or lighting control.
Given the growing role of data, semantic tagging, analytics, network access, and customer specific knowledge required for successful IoT projects, it is now time to consider building-wide standardization for operational technology systems, and to rethink the owner/operator relationship with master systems integrators.
Most MSIs working today grew out of HVAC controls companies, so in many cases, HVAC controls are still in their DNA. The knowledge this brings to OT projects is invaluable, but that controls background has made it difficult for some MSIs to put the controls business in the back seat as they work to determine what makes sense for a building owner and their IT team. This history can also make it difficult to be objective when an owner wants to use a technology other than the one the MSI has most familiarity with.
Evolve or Perish While the term Master Systems Integrator may be a new one for the building automation industry, those who call themselves MSIs today don’t just have former HVAC controls contractors to worry about as competition…
4 Responses
What I like about Brian’s discussion above is that he is discussing a convergent controls world in which MSI’s (or “Super Integrators” as some describe them) design and deliver properly open & interoperable standards based lighting and building control. This results in controls solutions that deliver to the “End Client” that is building owner, developer manager or user highly flexible, vendor independent solutions offering seamless access to device level value data.
I think that everything typed made a great deal of sense.
But, consider this, suppose you typed a catchier post title?
I ain’t suggesting your content isn’t good, however suppose
you added something to possibly get a person’s attention? I mean The Role of the OT
Master Systems Integrator, by Brian Turner, OTI – ControlTrends is
a little boring. You should glance at Yahoo’s home page and note how they write post headlines to get viewers to click.
You might try adding a video or a picture or two to grab
people excited about what you’ve written. In my opinion, it could bring your
posts a little bit more interesting.