BACnet MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION COMPLETES

FIRST INTEROPERABILITY WORKSHOP

BOSTON,- 11/16/00  The BACnet Manufacturers Association (BMA) recently held the first BACnet interoperability workshop at the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) building and fire research laboratory in Gaithersburg, Maryland to provide an opportunity for member companies to test products for interoperability . In addition, the BMA collected valuable data that will be incorporated into its developing product testing procedures and listing requirements. Participating companies included Siemens, Johnson Controls, American Auto-Matrix, Teletrol, Alerton, Delta Controls, Automated Logic, Lithonia Lighting, Simplex and Cimetrics. The companies brought a wide range of building automation products that use BACnet for communication, including operator workstations, controllers of various types, intelligent I/O devices, routers, and gateways. The participants tested the BACnet interoperability of their products in five functional areas: data sharing, alarming, scheduling, trending, and device management.

"The interoperability tests were very successful," said Jim Lee, president, BMA. "This success further demonstrates the viability of BACnet for daily operation in a multi-vendor environment."

BACnet (Building Automation Control network) is an ASHRAE and ANSI standard protocol for achieving interoperability in building systems. Non-proprietary interoperability provides flexibility for the design and configuration of systems, and promotes competitive bidding. BACnet is ideal for use with medium to large-sized systems, in multi-building sites, to implement integration with central plant equipment, and for integration between different building systems. BACnet was developed by ASHRAE with the cooperation of nearly every major manufacturer of building automation and controls.

For more information about BMA membership, call the BMA at (617) 426-6956 or E-mail info@bacnetassociation.org.

The BACnet Manufacturers Association (BMA) is an organization that encourages the successful use of BACnet in building automation and control systems through interoperability testing, educational programs and promotional activities. BMA membership is open and includes companies involved in the design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and maintenance of control equipment that uses BACnet for communication. For more information and questions about membership, contact the BMA at (617) 426-6956 or visit www.bacnetassociation.org.

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