LAS VEGAS — BACnet is introducing new features that will help facility managers to implement an Internet of Things (IoT) strategy for their facilities. IoT is important to facility managers as devices such as chillers, boilers, lights, fire alarm, security, and elevators come with network smarts onboard to monitor the health, status, and energy consumption through their front end software applications. All of these devices are now either native BACnet devices or use proprietary protocols that can be converted easily to BACnet. BACnet is introducing BACnet/IT which is an upgrade to BACnet/IP that will allow IT to manage BACnet devices as they manage computers and printers. Enhanced IT friendliness will simplify the process of “getting the thing on the internet”. The network port object type will allow for easier configuration of a device’s communications properties. The Applications Profile Working Group is working on a data dictionary that will allow device suppliers to provide data on the device to the facility managers’ front end software application without the time consuming process of getting manuals that describe the points found in the device. Grant Wichenko will show some examples of how to set up and configure Modbus devices in a Modbus to BACnet gateway, so they can be managed using the front end software application. He will also show how to use the onboard metering capabilities of devices to allow for equipment metering in an energy dashboard tool for use by senior management.

Presented by BACnet International, Monday, Jan. 30, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., in room N242