GC: n

CT: TCloud technologies and the use of layered internet dashboard interfaces continue to be developed and enhanced to improve the exchange of building automation system data. This may allow the consolidation of large data to evaluate performance, review historical and real-time trends, and the establishing of benchmarks. “Data mining” of information is also possible which may lead to improved risk assessment, reliability centered and predictive maintenance practices and general preventive maintenance activities. This may lead to further building intelligence with the automation system recommending operational strategies and maintenance options that incorporate cost analysis.
In addition, the integration with non-building performance computer based technologies will likely surface. Expanded security and video monitoring will be used to sense motion or survey for leaks in water and gas systems. Similar systems will be used for tighter heating, cooling, and lighting scheduling based real and historic occupancy patterns.
Other trend areas in building automation will only be limited by the development of the technology it serves such as smart-glass, solar installations, and controllable ultra-energy efficient building envelope products.

S: N: 1. building (n): “a structure,” c.1300, verbal noun from build (v.).
automation (n): 1948, in the manufacturing sense, coined by Ford Motor Co. Vice President Delmar S. Harder, from automatic + -ion. Earlier (1838) was automatism, which meant “quality of being automatic” in the classical sense.
2. This application chapter discusses the use of embedded control systems in home and building automation systems, sometimes called domotics and immotics. A short introduction to home automation systems and their components is followed by an analysis of the evolution of embedded systems in domotics.
Home automation is a form of building automation, only on a smaller scale and (most of the time) of a lower complexity degree. Both types of systems try to fill in the specific automation requirements of private homes and buildings, hereby increasing the comfort and security of the users and improving on overall energy efficiency. Not all home automation systems posses these characteristics, simpler (cheaper) systems only focus on comfort or security.
Home automation systems come from the need of automating processes in the house of e.g. an immobile elderly person, a handicapped person,… Building automation systems originate from the simple fact that it is easier to control lots of systems remotely from one place instead of running around, controlling each of these systems manually. (HVAC and chilled / hot water systems come to mind).
Now that electronics are becoming more affordable and implemented in people’s houses, the urge for electronic comfort is increasing by the day. Hence the growth of the domotics market.

S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=building&searchmode=none; http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=automation&searchmode=none (last access: 23 December 2014). 2. http://www.wattpad.com/2720968-building-manager-systerm (last access: 22 December 2014).

SYN: immotics

S: GDT (last access: 22 December 2014)

CR: automation, computer science, home automation, intelligent system, office automation.