The controls industry has recognized the increased need for component, equipment, and system interrelatedness, and has moved to more open communication protocols that facilitate easier integration into local and/or distributed facility monitoring control systems. Moving away from proprietary, vendor specific communication protocols to implement web-based, enterprise-friendly standard protocols such as SOAP, XML, SNMP, etc., will allow for more flexibility as facilities will install intelligent control devices onto existing computerized control systems.
Many of the technological benefits of system integration and interoperability can be implemented in critical facilities design. Supporting these protocols begins with developing a clear philosophy and approach to building management systems (BMS)/programmable logic controllers (PLC) network design that embraces new technology trends as they evolve.