White Paper

usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies
A white paper issued by: Siemens
© Siemens 2017. All rights reserved.
location. For example, room data is displayed graphically in
the Desigo CC user interface.
Total Room Automation components include various room
controllers. The Desigo DXR is a compact room controller with
preprogrammed standard applications, making it easy to install
and commission. For more complex building infrastructures,
the Desigo DXR room controller allows programming of the
three systems applications to meet any customer needs.
Desigo Total Room Automation features demand-driven control
of HVAC and automatic adjustment of blinds, based on the
angle of the sun considering different sun positions during the
course of the year. Occupancy- and brightness-sensing light
controls ensure that the amount of light available at each
workplace remains
constant throughout
the day.
For the building owner, Total Room Automation offers the
benefit of easier control system management throughout the
life of the building, since Siemens can bring its extensive
service capabilities and partners to handle any issues that arise.
Field Integration Opens Door to Problems
In the past, the only option for getting the HVAC, lighting,
and shading systems to work together has been custom
integration. But that’s far more complex for consultants
than being able to specify a single infrastructure and
system. “Not all systems will communicate or integrate with
one another, depending on the manufacturer,” Kerns says.
Speaking about the building controls industry generally,
Antonsen says: “Interoperability and the ability for [different
vendors’] HVAC, lighting, and shading controls to work together
is getting really close. But it’s not streamlined or efficient.”
When disparate controls systems are integrated, the results are
often disappointing. Field engineered integration may not
result in true value for the commercial building owner. “I know
of integrated systems that were installed where the integration
was disabled after three months,” Antonsen points out.
Building owners are wading into unknown waters with
custom integration. “To try to cobble together different
systems from different manufacturers, you’re looking at
creating a proprietary interface between all systems,” Cardoso
says. “That means you own the functioning of that system.”
There are long-term issues to weigh as well. When different
building systems use unique systems-based controls, they
often are not compatible with upgrades down the road.
“Also, as time goes by, newer or revised systems may enter
the market and no longer support the other systems already
in place,” Kerns says. He also notes that a single system
means that building operators have fewer systems to learn
and therefore fewer things to remember. “This will lead to
fewer mistakes while performing their work,” he says.
Antonsen says any integration solution should be evaluated
based “on the ease of making future changes to it.” Integrative
solutions that use an international standard like BACnet and a
common dashboard “can offer great long-range value.”
Total Room Automation avoids problems associated with
custom integration. Control of HVAC, lighting, and shading is
integral to Total Room Automation, so no field integration is
needed to provide common control for all three systems.
What’s more, building owners aren’t locked into a proprietary
lighting or shading control system. Total Room Automation is
BACnet-based and uses the global KNX standard for light and
shade controls with more than 400 KNX controls
manufacturers world-wide, so that both building owners and
consultants have a choice of third-party vendors.
White Paper | June 2017
Siemens Industry, Inc.
Building Technologies Division
1000 Deerfield Parkway
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089-4513
USA
Tel: [phone]
All rights reserved. Printed in USA Part # 153-SBT-508
©2017 Siemens Industry, Inc.
The benefits of having a single system to control HVAC, lighting,
and shading extends to many types of buildings, including
hospitals, where patient satisfaction is crucially important.
Click here for more information about
Siemens Desigo Total Room Automation.