Positioning of the BOS

BOS, GTB, Occupant Applications or even CMMS, there is no shortage of software platforms useful for managing a building or offering more services to its occupants, but how can we distinguish the role of each of these platforms and more precisely of this new data management and convergence what constitutes the BOS?

The following figure positions the platforms relative to each other.

The BOS is a data management platform whose role is the rationalization of the entire building information system (BIS). BOS is a convergence platform between OT, IT and BIM:

• OT platforms (for “Operational Technologies”) designate all the information systems deployed in the field and which implement sensors, actuators, PLCs ... This English term was constructed in opposition to the IT to generally designate the world of industrial automation (GTB, SCADA, SSI, Access control ...).

• IT platforms (for "Information Technologies") refer to all the information systems allowing the management of business processes such as ticket management, spaces, occupant services, financial management, etc.

• BIM (for “Building Information Modelling or Model”) designates a field of expertise intended for detailed 3D building modelling. BIM makes it possible to completely digitize the knowledge and geometric description of the building and its components. It transforms plan management (drawings) into data management.

The BOS is a platform focused on building knowledge (single building description repository or digital twin of the building), sharing of the repository and the orchestration of building-related data exchange and processes. It streamlines data management to facilitate and make economically viable the development, deployment and maintenance of many digital building services.

The BOS is an asset of your building, attached to the building over its entire life cycle (like Windows is an asset of your PC or Android an asset of your smartphone). It makes it possible to transform a building equipped with automated systems (current buildings) into a scalable digital building offering many services.

The BOS is complementary with the other platforms which each bring a particular value. They each have a specific role, do not offer the same control over your data and are not based on the same technologies.

The perimeters of information systems

The overall asset data information system has several scopes. They are described by the following diagram:

This global information system can be broken down into three levels of scale:

• Level 1 or field level : this level is made up of specific information systems operating on business verticals. For example, GTB, ISS, access control ... These information systems implement their own business applications which are generally presented in three layers:

  • • Sensors, actuators, counters and all simple equipment communicating

    • PLCs and regulators

    • Supervisors and servers hosting supervisors

Definition: we can call these information systems BMS or FIS for Field Information System. These information systems can be based on their own data management middleware which we will call FOS for Field Operating System. These FOS have skills adapted to the type, volume and flow of data that they manage to meet their business issues.

• Level 2 or building level : a true transversal layer of building data management, this new building information system aims to structure and analyse building data in a comprehensive and precise manner. This system connects to field systems, structures the data in a digital twin which offers a unified building repository and implements applications in “fog computing” mode allowing the analysis, filtering, consolidation and management of building data. In general. It is a layer of convergence that brings "transversal intelligence" to the building scale.

Definition: we call this system the BIS for Building Information System. This information system is based on its own data management middleware or platform core which we will call BOS for Building Operating System. This BOS uses skills adapted to the heterogeneity of the data provided by all the other systems (FIS and PIS) in order to allow their convergence (Smart Data platform). The BOS is the support of the digital twin of the building.

• Level 3 or heritage level : these information systems collect consolidated information from each building via a connection to the various BOS. They implement applications that make it possible to structure, analyse or consolidate data at the scale of a complete portfolio (district, campus, rental property, etc.). They allow data to be crossed between buildings and organize data exchange with all other cloud platforms or legacy systems (CMMS, district energy management services, property management, etc.).

Definition: We call these systems PIS for Portfolio Information System. These information systems are based on their own data management middleware or core platform which we will call POS for Portfolio Operating System. These SOPs use skills adapted to the volume of data provided by all BIS and applications operating at the asset level (Big Data platform).