© RACA Journal www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I April 2025 29
Feature
BUILDING SMARTER , NOT BIGGER WITH IOT AND EDGE SYSTEMS
By Eamonn Ryan
There is a shift towards smarter , cloud-connected solutions that can seamlessly integrate smaller systems to a centralised Building Management System ( BMS ) more flexibly and cost-effectively .
The BMS landscape has shifted towards more integration and comfort in spaces , where systems manage everything from HVAC to security and lighting . Global BMS providers have focused heavily on comprehensive , large-scale systems that serve high-demand environments like hospitals , commercial buildings and factories . These companies offer sophisticated systems designed to control plantrooms and large building systems , often requiring extensive infrastructure and specialised skills .
ILED ' S ROLE IN EDGE APPLICATIONS FOR BMS Ivan Potter , founder and CEO of i4 Group and MD of iLED says the global trend in the HVAC controls market is to provide advanced functionality for BMS while prioritising its user-friendliness and cost-effectiveness . The trend is to improve the built environment experience by connecting people through intelligent building solutions using forward-thinking technologies . Here we can think of apps on mobile devices to facilitate parking and visitor bookings ; checking canteen menus and number of customers in the space ; or checking the building carbon footprint and seeing the result of changing the room setpoint .
One of the standout features of this emerging trend in controls is its IoT-enabled capabilities . Potter explains that these new products will enable easy integration with cloudbased services , transforming traditional BMS systems into modern , connected platforms . “ With the rise of IoT , we can now expose data to cloud databases , making it easier to analyse plant performance and compare data across various locations ,” he notes .
The flip side of this easier access is heightened cybersecurity risk , explains Potter . “ As IoT devices become more ubiquitous , the risks associated with cybersecurity grow , particularly with the potential for hacking attempts with facility managers potentially losing control of a building . However , new controllers also come equipped with advanced security features designed to protect systems from vulnerabilities . The new generation of controllers has been designed with built-in security layers based on internationally accepted practices ,” Potter explains . This robust security infrastructure will allow businesses to take advantage of IoT ' s benefits while mitigating the risks of cyber threats .
Ivan Potter , founder and CEO of i4 Group and MD of iLED .
The shift towards cloud-connected systems is expected to have a significant impact on the way BMS operates . Unlike traditional systems , where data remains isolated within the plant room , the new iteration of controllers can connect directly to
© RACA Journal www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I April 2025 29