Tridium Niagara® The Case for Integration

    I've been working as an HVAC Service and Controls contractor in commercial buildings for 17 years. From that point of view I see buildings, beyond the structure and architecture, as systems. There's a fire safety system, a telephone system, an access entry system, a lighting system and an HVAC system. In the past these systems were installed by different contractors using different hardware, different platforms, different end user software and different communications protocols or languages. Often these systems were and are proprietary, meaning only certified companies with trained individuals can implement, maintain and service these systems. From one point of view this is a good thing. The manufacturer can control how its product is represented and assure that the end user is satisfied. From a customer standpoint however the experience can be challenging. The certified contractor can be expensive and getting them to show up on time and perform professionally can be a problem when they might be the only show in town. Personally I've only benefited from this scenario as often these customers are ready to tear out perfectly good systems in order to free themselves from the chains. This is the case for integration. 
    Some years back a company called Tridium®  introduced the Niagara AX Framework® and it changed everything.  Niagara is a software that integrates different systems and devices, from different manufacturers with different communication languages into a standardized platform that can be managed and controlled over the internet using a standard web browser. Tridium® claims that today there are over 230,000 instances of Niagara running worldwide. In the applications I've dealt with we install a JACE® or Java Application Control Engine, and connect the JACE ports to the various existing buses in the building. I've integrated LON®, Bacnet® MSTP, Bacnet® IP, Johnson N2®, ASD®, McQuay OPM®, Modbus® and I've also used Tridium's NDIO® and NRIO® devices. Niagara uses a different driver for each of these buses and depending on the brand of JACE you purchase some drivers are included while others are purchased separately. Once the data is brought into the JACE it is normalized and then easily manipulated into custom control applications and graphics. Tridium should be commended for opening the door to standardization and inter-operability of systems. They are now at the forefront of connecting systems with people through the Internet of Things.
For me this all means freedom. Freedom from proprietary systems and freedom to help customers connect to their beautifully automated and integrated systems from anywhere in the world.