Upgrading your legacy Johnson Controls BAS to the more modern and open Tridium system will help improve energy efficiency, increase tenant comfort, and enable you to utilize non-proprietary equipment.
The longer you wait to upgrade, the greater the chance of something going wrong and snowballing into major—and costly—repairs. Tridium BAS and their Niagara Framework will allow you to integrate, manage, and optimize all of the systems in your building, including:
- Lighting
- HVAC
- Access controls
- Fire and smoke detectors
- Elevator controls
- Digital signage systems
- Gas detectors
- Parking area controls
Tridium BAS Upgrade Benefits
Upgrading Johnson Controls BAS to Tridium will provide you with a wide range of benefits, such as the ability to integrate non-Johnson Controls equipment that offer far greater value than what you currently have installed.
There are several other benefits to upgrading to a Tridum BAS:
- Powerful analytics and real-time reporting
- Expanded maintenance and service vendor selection
- Web-based and easy-to-use interface
- Improved energy efficiency
- Improved cybersecurity
Tridium Upgrade and Integration Options
The ability to upgrade your Johnson Controls system to Tridium will depend on which controllers you’re currently using.
For example, older Johnson systems (e.g., JCI DSC-8500) are so outdated that it’s impossible to upgrade them, and replacement is the only option.
However, if you’re currently running the proprietary JCI Metasys N2 protocol, we can upgrade it to the Johnson N2 open communications driver and the Tridium Niagara platform.
The option to upgrade or replace entirely depends upon the condition of your current controllers. Ideally, phased replacement is the optimal path—upgrading the controllers gradually over time as they fail.
5 Signs That It’s Time to Upgrade
There are five unmistakable signs that indicate it’s time to upgrade your Johnson Controls BAS system:
Lack of Energy Efficiency
You cannot fine-tune a legacy Johnson Controls BAS system to improve energy efficiency.
Upgrading to the open Tridium system will allow you to dial in your energy performance while increasing tenant comfort. You’ll also be able to select from a wide range of non-proprietary equipment that will further help you reach your energy goals.
Security Concerns
When was the last time your legacy BAS received a security update from Johnson Controls?
Once the manufacturer stops supporting their legacy BAS systems, they also stop providing critical security patches that prevent cyber attacks. Tridium BAS system gets regular security updates that will help keep your data, building, and tenants safe.
System Struggles to Perform
When your Johnson Controls BAS system was first installed, it had more than enough power to meet the demands of the day. Building renovations, equipment upgrades, and other changes are now putting an immense strain upon your current system. An upgrade to Tridium and Niagara will allow your building to meet today’s modern building demands.
Limited System Memory
A legacy BAS system with limited memory will have difficulty reliably running reports and performing other basic system commands. You also won’t be able to install upgrades because your BAS system doesn’t have the memory it needs to support it. Upgrading to Tridium will provide you with enough memory to meet your building management strategy.
Antiquated Programming Language
Older Johnson Controls BAS systems run on a proprietary language, making it highly challenging to find a qualified technician. There is minimal benefit for a younger technician to learn a deprecated programming language—this means the longer you wait to upgrade, the harder it will be to find a technician to perform repairs or maintenance.
Let Conexus Help with Your Johnson Controls BAS Upgrade
Upgrading your Johnson Controls BAS to Tridium will provide you with a wealth of advanced features that will enable you to meet the goals of your building while providing your tenants and building occupants with improved comfort.
At Conexus, we’ve spent the past 30 years helping our clients upgrade their legacy BAS systems to more powerful, flexible, and modern ones. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help bring your legacy BAS system into the modern age.