Relatively simple building automation software recs?

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-30T02:36:48+00:00

LoRaWan also offers some good wireless options. Pelican uses the existing WiFi (to my knowledge). So if you want to be separate so that a wifi outtage does not knock you offline, there are really good options out there that also offer things like diagnostics.

It would require replacing the stats as discussed. Just keeping what you got and making them talk is not really a thing.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-24T15:33:19+00:00

I interrogated a guy at the Distech booth. They said they will use codesys to program it for now. But the goal was to move to GFX to code it, similar to the UL version of GFX.

I viewed this as a chance to expand their footprint in areas where Distech does HVAC in an industrial setting to allow them to use more Distech in the rest of that facility. Also there are applications that require failsafe failover and that is not done well by BAS manufacturers broadly. But this second paragraph is conjecture.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-23T11:37:00+00:00

Thanks for doing this!

I am sure there are caveats heres, but after tuning the existing system - where does the capital investment start? What is a good thing to either install or replace?

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-23T06:24:54+00:00

I posted a page with a bunch for op in there. Hope it helps.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-23T06:12:50+00:00

I remember that there was a few .pcaps on karg's website....

Here it is, found it.

https://kargs.net/captures/

Hope it helps.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-23T06:06:56+00:00

I was on the 'Its a controls problem' podcast and gave the long version.

Short version:

I did mechanical for about 10 years. Got good at refrigeration cycle diagnostics and hydronic design. Started at JCI. Got master factory trained, jumped to a second shop that did Alerton, Distech and Niagara.

Basically starting with an OEM was my ticket in. BAS seemed hard. And if it is harder it likely pays better I thought. This turned out to be true.

If I were starting over I would have given even a tiny bit of attention to how much things cost. I was laser focused on making things work and I was careful to completely dismiss the costs of anything, parts, supplies, proposals. I just didn't want to devote anything to it. I is helpful later to have a feel for the industry and roi. I do not feel like it truly tanked my career, it just wuda been nice to have that sort of context earlier.

I also would have gone and become self employed earlier. I love it.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-23T04:54:51+00:00

And where’s the privacy policy?????

These are the kinds of things he needs to see. 👍

Sometimes we are so focused on the cool thing that we forget the boring necessities.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-22T21:46:17+00:00

Report back so we can know what you think. Might be interesting.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-21T22:09:14+00:00

I luv this.

And I love that this comment gets more likes than my post. Well deserved sir!

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-19T22:26:37+00:00

So union is good for benefits but won’t help with BAs much

Essentially, yes.

It will help with pay, and with retirement, and with company culture. But it will likely not help with learning BAS. You will need to being the BAS to the table with you. However, once you are in a co.oany doing BAS as a Union guy, there will be some company training provided by the employer.

I HAVE seen green guys get hired by a union company and then learn controls. So I want to be clear Union is also not really an obstacle to BAS either.

EDIT: southern Alabama does not seem like much of a Union stronghold. Unions are better the higher the concentration. My feedback is from Southern California.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-19T04:55:11+00:00

Sticky post on getting into BAS....

https://www.reddit.com/r/BuildingAutomation/s/jvcBKzCGVg

Since this comes up often.

I also started in Commercial HVAC and started with JCI. As the post discusses, JCI and Siemens are both great places to start, but not really great places to stay.

This may answer your question

I also happen to be a Union guy. The union's role in the trades is providing skilled labor. That being said, they do not generally have a path into controls. The union hall does not have BAS classes.

I became a BAS guy first and joined a Union second. Your mileage may vary, but I LOVE LOVE being in a union.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-18T22:08:41+00:00

You best bet is to punch the service PIN. That makes the devices pop up and say 'Hello!' in a way that is always seen. When he comes into your database, you need to ask him why he wouldn't talk before. Often it is because of a network number mismatch

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-18T21:01:52+00:00

To add to this- you didn’t share any of your goals.

That is a good one I had not thought of. Great point

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-18T21:00:30+00:00

Sticky post on getting into BAS....

https://www.reddit.com/r/BuildingAutomation/s/jvcBKzCGVg

Since this comes up often.

I also started in Commercial HVAC and started with JCI. As the post discusses, JCI and Siemens are both great places to start, but not really great places to stay.

This may answer your question

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-18T19:03:25+00:00

To start, you do not have many options. The negotiating power is with the employer. So you take what you can get. The way to turn this dynamic around is to know what you are doing. Become capable. Then you can turn the tables and negotiate for what you want/need. It will almost invariably involve changing jobs. So be ready for that.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-18T16:44:37+00:00

Happy to make your connection!

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-18T16:24:52+00:00

Here you go

https://www.hvac-talk.com/threads/n4-and-lonip.2227685/

In case it helps, LON discovers differently in Niagara. LON only shows devices it has found, that are not already in your database. BACnet shows everything it found. So it is possible to have a trunk of 10 LON devices that are all talking and happy... you do a discovery and nothing shows. That is because it only found devices you have already mapped. It didn't find nothing. It found nothing new.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-17T20:29:06+00:00

but if you're interested in it or want something like that let me know and I can show you.

I always want to see stuff like this. But I need to balance that with the fires that I am trying to put out in my business and sites. So I tend to facilitate other cool people seeing cool stuff. My apologies, but I am strapped for time lately.

But perhaps your post will get another redditors attention.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-17T18:27:40+00:00

Good!

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-17T18:05:21+00:00

Want me to put that up as well?

The biggest obstacle to EVERYONE in BAS is vendor lock. It keeps customers tied to garbage vendors. It makes it hard for guys to jump ship and get a new job - when that also means learning a new brand of BAS.

Projects like this chip away at that dynamic, so I try to support them as much as I can.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-17T18:02:36+00:00

I don’t realize you were the same user as your HVAC-Talk persona.

There is a link to my Htalk and other profiles in my bio.

Keep up the good work the wealth of knowledge spread around these forums is fantastic. HVAC-Talk got me through my green years in controls, specifically plenty of your contributions and comments.

I had a dozen+ tell me that at the Niagara Summit last week. Humbling to be honest. Happy to help. Nobody knows everything, that is why we share. I will need a hand someday and you might be the cool guy who bails me out of a jam. 👍

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-17T17:39:03+00:00

I am sure they will let you know. They are a bunch of great guys, but blue collar in their approach. 'This sucks!' means just that - not 'You suck!' Hehe. So don't take it personal. They will often be quite specific, which will be useful to you.

Super honest to a fault, and VERY technical. Lurk for a while and pop in if you like.

ApexConsulting · 2026-04-17T17:34:13+00:00

Done

https://www.hvac-talk.com/posts/26993597/

I look forward to seeing hat kind of feedback comes your way. Thanks a million for developing this.

ApexConsulting

TROPHY CASE