Hey there! Welcome to Episode 418 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast with Phil Zito. In this episode, we dive deeper into building automation systems (BAS) for facility management. We cover topics like the purpose and objectives of implementing a BAS, its components, protocols, benefits, and some real-world examples. If you're new here, we have 417+ episodes for you to explore at smartbuildingsacademy.com. So, grab a drink, sit back, and let's talk building automation! We kick off by definin...
Apr 12, 2023•33 min•Ep. 418
Are you a facility manager looking to enhance your building's performance and efficiency? Tune in to our latest episode where we cover the essential steps to successfully implementing a Building Automation System (BAS). We'll walk you through: 1️⃣ Understanding BAS and its components 2️⃣ Assessing your facility's needs and goals 3️⃣ Selecting the right BAS solution 4️⃣ Developing a comprehensive implementation plan 5️⃣ Installation, commissioning, and testing 6️⃣ Staff training and ongoing suppo...
Apr 05, 2023•36 min•Ep. 417
In this episode we continue our multipart series on BAS Project Estimates. We will cover: How to create a bill of materials How to identify item requirements for your BoM And our live Q&A Session!
Apr 03, 2023•19 min•Ep. 416
Your building automation systems been compromised. What do you do now? Whether it's by ransomware, exploits, or other attacks there is still hope. In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we are going to look at the response to cybersecurity attacks and intrusions. We will look at actions you can take right now to ensure you have the ability to recover from an attack, how to preserve the environment for forensic analysis, and how to clean your systems post attack. We look forward t...
Mar 31, 2023•30 min•Ep. 415
In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we talk with Abby Massey of Calvetti Ferguson. Abby has a deep understanding of the 179D tax code changes and how they impact the building automation market. In this episode you will learn: What 179D is The changes to 179D as part of the IRA How you can use 179D to create more retrofit opportunities The requirements of a 179D tax deduction
Mar 17, 2023•47 min•Ep. 414
Everyone's talking about Smart Buildings. But how do you actually "do" a smart building? In today's episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we interview Sabine Lam of Google. Sabine has deep experience with developing and deploying an integrated system architecture across a broad portfolio of buildings. Sabine and I explore how Google approached the problem of data sanitization, creating an integrated cross business architecture, and lessons learned deploying smart buildings architecture...
Mar 15, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 413
How do you estimate a building automation project? In this episode we continue our multipart series on BAS Project Estimates. We will cover: How to perform a takeoff How to build a scope document How to identify scope items And our live Q&A Session!
Mar 08, 2023•38 min•Ep. 411
In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we continue our multipart series on cyber security. In today's episode we are going to dive deeper into exploit phase, which is the second phase of a cyber security attack. Here we will be looking deeper into techniques and tools that are used to exploit potential targets. We will explore how to protect your building automation system and your BAS employees from this phase of an attack. As always please ask any questions you have....
Mar 06, 2023•21 min•Ep. 410
In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we are going to answer the listener questions we have gathered over the past several months. We will also be taking live questions from any of our listener/viewers as well.
Mar 03, 2023•41 min•Ep. 409
Estimating building automation work can be very difficult. You have so many moving parts and pieces that can affect your project cost. In this Smart Buildings Academy Podcast series, we are going to dive deep into the topic of estimating. This multipart series will discuss: Estimating Techniques Takeoffs Bill of Material Generation Cost category identification If you're looking to learn how to estimate I encourage you to watch/listen to this new series....
Mar 01, 2023•42 min•Ep. 408
In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy, we are going to discuss how to identify energy and sustainability centered buyers. It should be no surprise that building owners are focused on sustainability and energy. Between regulations, incentives, and utility costs organizations are increasingly establishing energy and carbon guidelines for their facilities. This presents a great opportunity for solution minded organizations to pursue these opportunities. In this episode we will discuss a fr...
Feb 22, 2023•38 min•Ep. 407
In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we continue our multipart series on cyber security. In today's episode we are going to dive deeper into reconnaissance, which is the first phase of a cyber security attack. Here we will be looking deeper into techniques and tools that are used to actively and passively gather information on potential targets. We will explore how to protect your building automation system and your BAS employees from this initial phase of attack. As always ple...
Feb 20, 2023•41 min•Ep. 406
Cyber Security is not that hard. Over the next several episodes we are going to be exploring cyber security concepts and tying them to building automation. My hope is that by the end of this series you will have an understanding of cyber security theory and processes. This is meant to be an interactive episode so be sure to tune in and ask questions as we explore this topic.
Feb 17, 2023•50 min•Ep. 405
In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we interview Saheel Chandrani with ABB. I'm really excited for two reasons. One, ABB is discussing my favorite topic, workforce! You can have the best technology but without a clear plan to develop and support the workforce nothing else you do matters. The other reason I'm excited is because you, our audience, and I get to be on the front row seat of a new building automation solution release. I think you will find Saheel to be very down to...
Feb 08, 2023•50 min•Ep. 404
Nick Sanchez is the next generation of BAS technicians. The traditional strategy of hiring someone else's employees has failed. This strategy simply cannot produce the amount of talented employees you need to run your building automation business. But where do you find folks like Nick? And how do you train folks like Nick? In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast I chat with Nick about how he got into the BAS industry, his experience with BAS training, and how he went from knowing ...
Feb 06, 2023•32 min•Ep. 403
So you have a customer who might be interested in a retrofit, what next? One of the most common ways to start the retrofit sales process is to perform a site audit. To be clear, this is not a ASHRAE energy audit or a IPMVP pre-audit. This audit exists to ensure you have an accurate understanding of what needs to be done in order to perform a site retrofit. In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we discuss: What a retrofit site audit is How to perform a retrofit site audit The exa...
Jan 30, 2023•46 min•Ep. 402
We are entering a retrofit market. Those of you who have built your entire business around capital projects and construction work need to prepare. There is a lot of opportunity in the market that will potentially be missed by people who are not prepared for it. In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we discuss: What a retrofit market is Why I believe we will see a major retrofit market How you can be prepared to address this market and win more work...
Jan 27, 2023•37 min•Ep. 401
In this episode of the Smart Buildings Podcast we are going to explore Measurement and Verification together. We are going to look at: Different types of energy audits and how to do them The different measurement and verification methods and how to do them General strategies for incorporating M&V and Audits into existing and new construction.
Jan 25, 2023•29 min•Ep. 400
In this episode we will be discussing Smart Buildings Academy's plans for 2023 and beyond. As you all well know we are big into transparency and collaboration. One of the best ways to develop ideas and products rapidly is to place the concepts out into the market and test them. Today we will be discussing the ideas we are exploring as a business both ideas that are 100% going to happen and things we are currently exploring.
Jan 23, 2023•27 min•Ep. 399
In this episode, we're going to be talking with my good friend Donny Walker, of Newcomb and Boyd. Donny, and I met back when I still worked at Johnson Controls was part of their analytics and system integration group. And even then I knew that Donny was a unique individual. You see, I'd met a lot of consultants, I've met a lot of commissioning agents, I've met a lot of engineering firms. And I was like, this is interesting. I'm talking to a guy who gets it. He's not just about the spec. He's not...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 398
In this episode we discuss the talent management lifecycle with Lewis Martin of Charlton Morris. Lewis lays out a step-by-step planning for discovering, hiring, developing, and retaining talent within the smart buildings industry. Resources: https://podcast.smartbuildingsacademy.com/397
Jan 18, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 397
In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we speak with Glen Spry on the topic of wireless energy management. Glen is going to take us on a journey looking at how energy management can be achieved with a wireless system. Beyond that Glen will help us to understand the impact of energy management on the grid and how to utilize energy data to better manage our facilities.
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 396
In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we speak with Drew DePriest. Drew has an extensive background in the building automation space and has the unique experience of being a BAS technician, proptech professional, working as an OT professional for the CRE space, and working for a managed service provider as an owner's rep. My hope is that you will get multiple looks at several career pathways during this podcast and you will leave with a better understanding of the possibilities...
Jan 09, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 395
In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast Bayron Lopez helps us to unpack the world of IT from a customer's point of view. So often we are busy thinking "How can I respond to this spec?" Or "How can I be compliant with XYZ requirement?" But how often do we stop to think about the operational side of the systems we install? In this episode Bayron helps us to understand the customer's point of view. Join us as Bayron gives us a behind the scenes look at how IT decisions are made and h...
Jan 06, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 394
Are you tired of the same old team meetings? Scrambling to find a topic and hoping that your team retains what you covered? In this episode the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we are wrapping up our series on 52 game changing strategies that will grow and improve your BAS team in 2023!
Jan 04, 2023•27 min•Ep. 393
How does the building envelope effect a buildings performance? What role does acoustics have on occupant comfort? What can we learn from the design philosophies of the residential and light commercial sectors? In today's episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we unpack all this and more with Barry Cope, Group Managing Director of the Building Compliance Testers Association. I hope you enjoy this episode!
Jan 02, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 392
Do you want to make your building automation team more productive and profitable in 2023? In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we will continue to lay out strategies that you can implement into your team meetings that will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your BAS team.
Dec 21, 2022•32 min•Ep. 391
Are your weekly smart buildings team meetings boring? Do you find yourself struggling to develop topics that will improve your team, increase the profitability of your business, and grow your customer base? In this 3-part series we will layout 52 strategies that you can discuss with your team in 2023. That's one strategy for each weekly team meeting!
Dec 16, 2022•39 min•Ep. 390
Are you struggling to find talent for your building automation team? In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we discuss the exact strategies we are using right now to help leading organizations develop a robust pipeline of talent. In this episode you will discover how to find and develop billable talent to execute backlog right now! Resources: https://podcast.smartbuildingsacademy.com/389
Dec 14, 2022•27 min•Ep. 389
Have you been struggling to find talent for your building automation business? If so you're not alone. In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast I interview Michael Conway of Stacks + Joules. Michael is relentlessly focused on delivering quality training to underserved communities in New York and Boston. What makes Stacks + Joules unique is their ability to rapidly train folks on complex topics even though their students start with little to no technical background. My hope is that ...
Nov 29, 2022•56 min•Ep. 388
