Case Studies

Intelligent Building report

by Mark Rowe

Initial findings from a new report by a market research firm has suggested a growing trend in building automation systems towards photo-realism and more end user interaction. The ‘gamification’ of the graphical user interface (GUI) is shaping the way these systems are being developed and used.

For decades, spreadsheets offered the main tool to present data from the building management system. While using spreadsheets to display building data has benefits, it limits how data can be presented and how user-friendly the system is. Sam Grinter, market analyst at IMS Research (recently acquired by IHS Inc) says: “In terms of user interfaces, building automation is playing catch-up with the rest of the electronics industry. This change in direction over the last six years towards photo-realism and gamification of graphical user interfaces is a result of growing end user expectation.”

End users expect their building automation systems to be as simple to understand as their smart phones, tablets and other entertainment systems. This prompted the introduction of 3D graphics and animations to building management systems. These graphics are increasingly being used on public displays in schools, colleges and offices. The public use of displays makes systems more interactive and helps to raise awareness for energy efficiency.

Grinter adds: “A key barrier for photorealism is the building management system itself. High resolution graphics require greater processing power and the current crop of building management systems often limit the quality of graphics and the complexity of animations. There is a disconnect between controls companies and graphics providers over the importance of photorealistic GUIs. For the graphics to become more photorealistic, the controls and graphics companies must strengthen their working relationship.”

The move to photorealism and the gamification of GUIs is one trend affecting the market for value added services in intelligent building. To address this market, IMS Research’s latest report The World Market for Value Added Services in Intelligent Building seeks to establish the size and key trends active in this emerging market, and is due to be published in early 2013.

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