TrackBot™ – An affordable Integrated Building Management System
TrackBot™ isn't your typical building management system (BMS). While traditional BMS solutions focus on controlling a building's mechanical and electrical systems like Air Conditioning system (HVAC), Heating, Ventilation, and Lighting, etc., TrackBot™ leverages cloud infrastructure to specifically target intelligent automation, asset management and maintenance tasks in Apartments, Tech-parks, Commercial buildings, Resorts, Hotels, etc. This focus makes TrackBot™ a powerful tool for improving productivity, efficiency, and resource optimization within a building.
Building Management Systems: The Backbone of Smart Buildings
A traditional BMS acts as the central nervous system of a smart building. It integrates various subsystems like HVAC, lighting, security, and fire alarms. Here's a breakdown of how a BMS typically functions:
- ☞ Data Collection - Sensors throughout the building collect data on temperature, humidity, light levels, occupancy, and equipment status.
- ☞ Monitoring and Control - The BMS continuously monitors this data and compares it to predetermined setpoints. If a reading deviate (e.g., temperature gets too high), the BMS automatically adjusts the relevant system (e.g., activates the AC) to maintain optimal conditions.
This automation saves energy, improves occupant comfort, and reduces the workload on facility management staff. However, a traditional BMS has limitations when it comes to managing the building's physical assets and ongoing maintenance needs.
How TrackBot™ Enhances Building Management with AI
TrackBot™ utilizes an in-built AI platform designed to streamline physical assets and asset management within a building, with a predictive maintenance capability. With the appropriate alert and notification on timely manner TrackBot™ helps to provide better building management.
Intelligent Automation: A simple timer-based automation is a conventional way of automating critical systems like Borewell, Overhead Tank (OHT) Pumping, Swimming Pool filtration pumping, Stormwater pumping, etc. This approach is impacting the components like heavy-duty pumps to run unnecessarily in exceptional cases like borewell dry run situation, continuously using same motor for pumping, sump overflows, etc. TrackBot integrates and monitor the critical parameters like running load, water flow, sump and overhead water level continuously and take appropriate action immediately, thus protects the system.
- ⭕ Monitoring - TrackBot's monitoring capabilities focus on keeping an eye on the health and status of all automations deployed, physical assets in the building and staff tasks, helping facility managers anticipate and address maintenance needs.
- ⭕ Alerting - TrackBot™ offers a variety of alerting functionalities to keep facility managers informed about building issues and maintenance needs. Here's a breakdown of the possible alert methods including visual alerts, SMS alert, in-app alerts, call alerts, reports and more.
- ⭕ Control - TrackBot™ uses sensor data to inform maintenance decisions. For instance, the zero-flow data from the flow meter sensors on a borewell delivery pipe indicate a dry-run condition. TrackBot would directly adjust the motor, by stopping the pumping instantly and alert facility managers and potentially generate a ticket for maintenance.
- ⭕ Management - TrackBot's strength lies in managing maintenance workflows. It can monitor sensor data from the motor or the update from the staff through staff activities and identify potential issues or other means. However, placing the motor in a maintenance state (which might involve powering it down or isolating it) would likely be a manual step taken by a qualified technician, after creating a ticket to the maintenance team for tracking.
Integration Capabilities: While TrackBot's core functionality revolves around automation, managing building assets and maintenance tasks, it offers a great level of integration with existing building systems like diesel generators and elevators, but the extent of this integration may vary depending on the specific system and TrackBot's configuration. Here's a breakdown of the possibilities:
- 1. Data Monitoring - TrackBot might be able to pull data feeds from existing building systems like elevators and diesel generators. This data could include:
- ⚬ Diesel Generators: Fuel levels, runtime statistics, maintenance logs, potential fault codes.
- ⚬ Elevators: Car location, service history, door sensor status, error codes.
- ⚬ CCTV NVR: : Alert when the camera is not working or tampered, extends the camera capabilities like line-crossing, movement detection, etc.
- By integrating this data, TrackBot can identify upcoming maintenance needs based on pre-set parameters (e.g., notifying about low fuel in the generator) or Spot trends that could indicate potential problems (e.g., unusual vibration patterns in elevators).
- 2. Work Order Generation - Based on the monitored data, TrackBot might be able to automatically generate work orders for technicians to address potential issues with these systems. This would streamline the maintenance process and ensure timely intervention.
- 3. Limited Control Functions - In some cases, the integration might allow for basic control functionalities through TrackBot's interface. For instance, you might be able to remotely start or stop the backup generator (if configured for safe remote operation).
- However, extensive control over these systems is likely not a core function of TrackBot. Critical systems like elevators and generators often have their own dedicated control panels for safety reasons.
Inventory Management: TrackBot™ employs QR codes or other tracking methods to create a digital inventory of all building assets, from furniture and equipment to lighting fixtures and cleaning supplies. This eliminates the need for manual tracking and ensures you always know where everything is located.
Predictive Maintenance: TrackBot's AI analyses sensor data from equipment to predict potential failures before they occur. This allows facility managers to schedule preventive maintenance, minimizing downtime, extending equipment lifespan, and reducing repair costs.
Streamlined Workflows: TrackBot™ provides a centralized platform for managing maintenance tasks along with the staff attendance. Work orders can be generated automatically based on sensor data or manually created, assigned to technicians, and tracked to completion. This improves communication and accountability within the maintenance team.
Improving Productivity, Efficiency, and Resource Optimization
By focusing on the automation, asset management and maintenance, TrackBot offers significant benefits for building operations:
- ✔ Increased Productivity: Automation and Predictive maintenance reduce equipment downtime, allowing staff to focus on other tasks and improving overall operational efficiency.
- ✔ Enhanced Resource Optimization: Real-time asset tracking eliminates wasted time searching for equipment and ensures resources are deployed effectively.
- ✔ Cost Savings: Predictive maintenance prevents costly breakdowns and extends equipment lifespan. Additionally, streamlined workflows reduce labour costs associated with managing maintenance activities.
Overall, TrackBot's AI-powered approach to building management empowers facility managers and building owners to optimize resource allocation, improve staff productivity, and ensure the smooth operation of a building.