CivicUS Releases 'Building Automation Systems: Reaping the Benefits of Standards'

CivicUS Releases 'Building Automation Systems: Reaping the Benefits of
Standards'
Due to Standardization, State and Local Governments are Picking Building
Automation Vendors on Service, but a Coming Round of Innovation Should Provide
More Product Differentiation

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CivicUS, the leading
continuous advisory service firm for leadership in state and local government,
announces the release of "Building Automation Systems: Reaping the Benefits of
Standards." Due to the BACnet standard's victory in building automation,
buying decisions now are a function of service provisioning and
price/performance. The market thus is commoditizing. CivicUS expects to see a
new round of innovation as vendors differentiate their offerings with
solutions that address integration with smart grid technologies, fault
detection and diagnosis, energy information systems and the retrofit of
existing buildings.

"Efficient building automation systems enable governments to save energy and
meet their sustainability goals," said Joseph Aamidor, Program Director in the
CivicUS Environmental Quality and Sustainable Practices (EQSP) Strategies
service. "More complex offerings, hiring freezes and budget cuts have led
governments increasingly to select a vendor based on its ability to provide
reliable building operation and maintenance through its technicians. Some
vendors, including Siemens and Johnson Controls, go so far as to train their
technicians to maintain products from competitors. Because talent development
and retention is vital to the quality of service offered by vendors, we have
observed regional differences in their degree of market domination".

Vendors will need to find more compelling ways to reward their staffs and
attract new employees to the industry. The resolution of connectivity
standards issues and growing acceptance of open software protocols will drive
the sector towards competition among vendors on the price/performance of
management software.

"Building Automation Systems: Reaping the Benefits of Standards" is available
at:
http://www.civicus.com/images/WSA/building_automation.pdf

CivicUS will hold a teleconference on September 23rd to discuss key issues
facing government leaders in the environment, including the need for
government leaders to reprioritize, retool and reorganize to address an
expanding list of environmental responsibilities, which include the
traditional resource issues that impact air, water and land in addition to new
ones like climate change, noise pollution and indoor air quality. There is no
charge to participate, but attendance is limited. For information, call
301-296-4440 x1271 or email events@civicus.com.

About CivicUS
CivicUS is the leading continuous advisory service firm for executive-level
management in state and local government. CivicUS offers government leaders
cost-effective access to best practices, trend analysis and insights gained
from interactions with peers and vendors. An annual subscription provides
timely, relevant and useful advice about successful strategies, pitfalls to be
avoided and vendors with effective solutions.

CONTACT:
Michael Dombo
CivicUS
202-997-8858
mdombo@civicus.com

SOURCE CivicUS

Michael Dombo of CivicUS, +1-202-997-8858, mdombo@civicus.com