When times are tough and facilities management budgets don’t quite stretch as far as they need to, it can be tempting to focus on the here and now rather than investing in the future. Although this policy may well resolve some immediate problems, when it comes to a BEMS, it can soon prove to be a false economy.
A BEMS needs to be able to evolve in tandem with a building and its occupants over a significant period of time. As the use of a building changes, so too will its layout and occupancy patterns change, meaning the BEMS will need modifying, adapting, adjusting, and reconfiguring on a regular basis — something that could lead to problems if the support structure and technology to carry out any changes does not exist. The ability of a BEMS to be flexible and accommodate any necessary modifications with minimal disruption should, therefore, be at the very top of an end user’s purchasing criteria.