b'The EC in an IoT WorldHOW ECS CAN GROW SMART BUILDINGSBy Craig DiLouieT OFTHINGS(IoT)with a select group of manufacturers whoseownersprojectrequirementsbyproviding THEINTERNET offerselectricalcontractorspowerfulsystemsareproventoseamlesslyintegrateanoverallintegrationarchitecture.Project revenue-generating service opportunities andand communicate.They will be tested withresponsibilitiesgobeyondtraditional new challenges, according to a 2019 reportstreamlining systems that normally functioninstallation services into the realms of design, published by ELECTRI International. independently into a single, efficient, smart- engineering and project management. This SmartBuildingsandInternetofThingsbuildingsolution.Cybersecuritywillposewouldincludeproducingsmartbuilding ImpactonElectricalContractingwasanother challenge by applying standards, bestspecificationsbasedonownerneeds.The developedbyHishamSaid,associatepractices and the ability to work with themastersystemsintegratorwouldrequirea professorofconstructionengineeringandowners IT department. trained and certified workforce that is able management at Santa Clara University. Heto design a fully integrated smart building createdaroadmapshowingECshowtosolution,includingbothIT/networking, increase value, generate new revenue streamsThe Internet of Thingsbuilding systems and controls.anddeveloptheirworkforceinthesmartUltimately, the report says, a new mindset and buildings era. (IoT) offers electricalshift in business practices will be required. The report defines a smart building as oneIn the short term, an EC evolving toward becoming a master systems integrator might having integrated systems that dynamicallycontractors powerfulpartnerwithanotherintegratortoabsorb andcost-effectivelydeliverenergy-efficientknowledge. They might support general and and productive environments. The IoT takes this concept to the next level by incorporatingrevenue-generatingmechanicalcontractorstoinstallbuilding additionalsensorsthatexchangedata.automationsystems,configurenetworked lighting controls, and identify manufacturers Expansionismadepossiblebytheservice opportunities whoseproductscouldworktogetherina strengthened processing power of embedded platforms,standardizedlow-powerwirelesssmart-building solution. ECs might also offer communication protocols and the growth ofperformancemonitoringandmaintenance cloud computing platforms. As LED lightingThoughsmartbuildingsarecomplexandservices and explore energy-efficiency rebates continuesatasteadyrateofadoptioninchallenging,theyofferopportunitiesforandalternativefinancingmethods.They existing buildings, it is likely to serve as aECs to provide value-added higher marginwillneedtodeveloptheirworkforceand platform for deployment of lighting-relatedservices. These services go beyond traditionalpossibly spin off new specialized businesses and additional sensors. installation to include ongoing performanceoffering various master integration services. monitoringandmaintenance.ThemainAlternately, an EC might instead specialize WhiletheIoTconceptuallypromiseschallenge is that the biggest revenues will beinleasingandinstallingprivatewireless extraordinaryvaluetoowners,severalfound in services such as systems integrationcommunication systems.inhibitorshavehinderedadoption.Withand performance monitoring, even though anenergyupgradesuchasnew,efficientmanyECsarecurrentlyunfamiliarwithInexpandingtheirbusinesses,thereport lighting, return on investment is fairly wellthese services. concludes, ECs face challenges related to the understood and easy to calculate, but not sotraditional project delivery approaches that much with IoT. In fact, owners are not ableManyECshaveexperienceinstallinglow- prohibit integrated design settings, the need to articulate what they need. The facilitiesvoltage wiring, building system controls andto offer facility management services that are and IT departments will have to get on therenewable-energysystems.Somemaintainoutsidetheelectricalcontractorscomfort same page regarding any device networking,certifiednetworkspecialistsandengineersandtraditionalbusinessportfolioandthe especially with cybersecurity. Systems muston staff or on-call. The report asserts ECsneed for more specialized workforce training be interoperable with coordinating softwareshouldconsiderdevelopingthemselvesasthancanbesustainedunderthecurrent that is continuously updated, and the systemsmaster system integratorsfirms developinglimited volume of low-voltage work in most themselves should be functionally tested assmart buildings served by a single buildingof the JATC programs.part of ongoing maintenance. systemtoleveragethisknowledgeandThisarticleoriginallyappearedin ECs providing integration services in a smartexperience into an even stronger role in thetheDecember,2019,issueofthe building project will face the challenges ofsmart building market. ElectricalContractormagazine.Itis ensuringinteroperabilitybetweendifferentAmastersystemsintegratorisfocusedonreprintedwithpermissionElectrical smart systems, which may be based on workingthebigpicture,withhowtosatisfytheContractor magazine.Ontario Electrical Contractor17'