Your source of actionable information around building automation systems and smart buildings
Ready to elevate your service business and tap into new revenue streams? In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy podcast, we dive into key strategies to expand your building automation service business, specifically focusing on owner-direct work. If you're in the BAS industry, this episode is packed with insights on how to stand out, grow your client base, and create a reliable income stream with service offerings. Phil brings his experience from the field and trade show conversations to highlight why and how service businesses can be a game-changer for automation professionals.
Tune in on Thursday, November 7th at 8 AM EST (6 AM MST) and discover practical approaches that could transform your business.
Key Topics:
Find out how you can streamline and grow your BAS service business!
Episode Description:
Episode 468 explores advanced airside HVAC sequences, offering building automation professionals an in-depth look at ASHRAE's Guideline 36. This episode unpacks strategies for optimizing energy efficiency through standardized control sequences, helping listeners understand how to achieve predictable and repeatable system performance. You'll gain insights into best practices and considerations for implementing these strategies across different building scenarios, with a focus on practical, real-world applications.
Key takeaways you’ll get:
Tune in to SBA 468 to enhance your understanding of Guideline 36 and elevate the performance of your building automation systems.
In episode 467 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you’ll dive deep into BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) and how understanding BTL listings can significantly impact your work in building automation. Whether you’re a contractor taking over a building or a facility manager looking to specify BACnet systems, this episode offers essential insights into device capabilities, interoperability, and conformance. By the end of the episode, you’ll be equipped to make smarter decisions regarding BACnet device selection and deployment.
Key Topics:This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge of BACnet standards and BTL listings. Listen now to stay ahead in your building automation projects.
Episode 466: How to Find, Develop, and Retain Your Building Operators addresses one of the most pressing challenges in the building automation industry today: the growing shortage of skilled building operators. In this episode, you’ll gain insights into how to effectively attract, train, and retain talent in an increasingly competitive market. While contractors are pulling operators away, there are key strategies facilities can use to combat this trend and keep their teams strong.
In this episode, you'll explore:
If you’re looking to keep your facility running smoothly by building a loyal and skilled team, this episode is for you! Tune in to learn more about the steps you can take to future-proof your operations.
Episode 465 dives into the emerging presence of robots and collaborative robots (Cobots) in the construction industry and their potential impact on building automation professionals. With labor shortages and advancements in automation technology, the trades are ripe for transformation, and understanding how robots might complement or replace certain tasks is crucial.
In this episode, you'll explore:
Don’t miss out on how these changes may affect your role in building automation and where to focus your efforts to remain indispensable. Tune in to gain insights on the future of the industry and your place in it!
In episode 464 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you'll explore the game-changing ways ChatGPT can enhance your work as a building automation professional. From troubleshooting and system design to programming and sales strategies, this episode is packed with practical examples of how AI can streamline your daily tasks and drive innovation in your projects.
Key topics you’ll dive into:
►Leveraging AI to simplify sales pitches and proposals ►Enhancing troubleshooting techniques with AI-generated insights ►Using ChatGPT to assist in creating sequences of operations ►Automating programming tasks for BAS systems ►Unlocking AI’s potential in facility design and optimization
If you're ready to see how AI can transform your approach to building automation, this episode is a must-listen!
In episode 463 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you'll discover how to transform your facility's operations using actionable strategies designed to improve efficiency, extend equipment life, and reduce downtime. This episode focuses on practical steps that facility managers and operators can take today to optimize their building systems. Whether you’re looking to cut costs, streamline your processes, or simply stay ahead of potential issues, this episode offers guidance that’s easy to understand and implement.
Key topics you'll explore in this episode: - How to simplify and organize your facility's critical documentation - The role of preventative practices in minimizing unexpected breakdowns - Tools for managing maintenance and tracking performance - Proactive monitoring techniques to detect and address issues before they escalate - Training tips for building a versatile and knowledgeable team
If you're ready to take control of your facility’s operations and avoid costly disruptions, this episode is a must-listen!
In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, Phil Zito discusses five practical strategies to help facility managers reduce their facility's energy consumption. Phil emphasizes the importance of optimizing existing resources and implementing simple changes that can lead to significant energy savings without the need for extensive retraining or costly upgrades. By focusing on these actionable steps, facilities can better manage energy demands and consumption, ultimately contributing to cost savings and sustainability goals.
Key Takeaways:
In episode 461 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, Phil Zito dives into the essential types of outputs used in building automation systems (BAS) and how to manage them effectively. Whether you're a technician, engineer, or project manager, understanding these common pitfalls and output issues can save your projects from costly mistakes and delays. Phil also shares actionable advice on how to improve your team’s performance and avoid project setbacks in the future.
Key Highlights:
Tune in to learn more about avoiding these common errors and ensuring your projects run smoothly!
Episode Description:
Join Phil Zito in Episode 460 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast as he continues the technician onboarding series, focusing on Building Automation System (BAS) input types. Following a general introduction to BAS, Phil delves into the specifics of input types, output types, and the various tiers of BAS architecture. This episode is essential for new technicians and those looking to deepen their understanding of how building automation systems monitor and control building environments. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical insights, Phil explains the differences between physical and logical inputs, the process of selecting appropriate sensors and devices, and the significance of understanding specifications.
Episode Highlights:
BAS Input Types Unveiled: Discover the differences between physical and logical inputs in BAS and the roles they play in system functionality.
Sensor Selection Process: Learn how to read specifications and identify the necessary sensors and devices for BAS applications, enhancing your skillset in equipment selection.
Introduction to Physical Inputs: Phil breaks down the most common physical inputs—resistive, voltage, current, contact, and pulse inputs—providing examples and their applications within BAS.
Logical Inputs Explained: Gain insight into logical inputs, including writable and non-writable types, and understand how they impact system programming and operations.
Practical Application and Specifications: Through real-world examples and a walkthrough of reading a specification, Phil demonstrates how to translate theoretical knowledge into practical application.
Future Learning Path: Phil outlines the upcoming topics in the series, including output types, controller types, communication buses, and more, setting the stage for comprehensive BAS learning.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone starting their journey in building automation or seeking to refine their technical skills. Through detailed explanations and practical examples, Phil Zito provides listeners with the tools needed to understand and work with BAS input types, paving the way for future episodes that will explore the depths of building automation systems. Tune in to enhance your understanding of BAS and prepare for the continued learning journey in subsequent episodes.
Episode Description:
Dive into the intricacies of Building Automation System (BAS) operational structures with Phil Zito in Episode 459 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast. This episode is a crucial part of our ongoing business series focused on the management side of BAS, designed for P&L holders, business owners, and anyone involved in the operational aspect of building automation. Phil breaks down common team structures within the BAS industry, including construction, service, and facility operations, and discusses the key roles, processes, and growth strategies for each. Whether you're scaling a new BAS business or refining the operational efficiencies of an existing one, this episode provides valuable insights into organizing your team for optimal performance.
Episode Highlights:
BAS Team Structures Explained: Learn about the three primary structures in BAS operations - construction, service, and facility operations - and the specific roles and responsibilities within each.
Growth and Structure Strategy: Discover how to identify the right structure for your business based on current size and projected growth, focusing on the evolution from technical leads to specialized roles.
Role Deep Dive: Phil provides an in-depth look at the significance of technical leads, designers, programmers, project leads, and admins within the construction structure, offering insights on when and how to expand your team effectively.
Service Structure Unpacked: Understand the nuances of service operations in BAS, including the roles of service techs, retrofit techs, service leads, and the crucial function of service admin for dispatch and coordination.
Facility Operations Framework: Explore the operational side for facility owners, detailing the transition from operators to engineers and the importance of a construction lead in new building projects.
Processes for Success: Gain clarity on essential processes based on your chosen operational structure and learn strategies to offload tasks efficiently to scale your business or department.
Join Phil as he navigates the complexities of building a cohesive and effective BAS team. Whether you're at the helm of a burgeoning controls department or steering facility operations, this episode arms you with the knowledge to structure your team for success and scale your operations with confidence.
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