Why LoRaWAN® and BACnet Work Better Together in Facility Management

Managing buildings is becoming more challenging as owners and operators look for better ways to save energy, lower costs, and create healthier environments. While Building Management Systems (BMS) have been used for decades to control systems like heating, lighting, and air conditioning, adding new technology to these systems can sometimes feel complicated.

The good news is that facility managers don’t have to choose between LoRaWAN® and BACnet. These two technologies work perfectly together, combining LoRaWAN®’s wireless flexibility with BACnet’s robust integration capabilities. By combining the two, building operators can enhance existing systems without major upgrades, creating smarter, more efficient buildings.

In this article, we’ll explain how LoRaWAN® technology and TEKTELIC’s gateways with BACnet support are making facility management easier. You’ll learn why LoRaWAN® is an excellent choice for modern buildings, how it connects seamlessly with existing BMS, and how TEKTELIC helps building operators choose the best solutions for their needs.

What is BACnet, and Why Does It Matter?

BACnet is a communication protocol used in building systems. Think of it as a “translator” that helps devices like thermostats, air quality monitors, and lighting systems work smoothly with the Building Management System. Many BMS platforms, such as Niagara Controllers from Honeywell, Siemens, and Schneider Electric, already support BACnet. This makes it easier to add new devices without changing the entire system.

With TEKTELIC’s LoRaWAN® gateways and BACnet integration, facility managers can quickly and easily connect wireless IoT devices to their existing BMS. This approach saves time, reduces costs, and makes upgrading a building much simpler.

Why Facility Managers Are Turning to LoRaWAN®

For decades, facility managers have relied on wired systems to monitor and control buildings. While these systems are reliable, they can be expensive to install and maintain. LoRaWAN® technology offers a wireless alternative that’s affordable, quick to install, and highly efficient.

Here’s why it’s becoming the first choice for modern facility management:

• Wide Coverage: One LoRaWAN® gateway can cover 4-5 floors of a building, making it perfect for large spaces.
• Long Battery Life: Devices can run for 5-10 years on a single battery, reducing maintenance needs.
• Low Installation Costs: Wireless solutions cost much less than wired systems and can be set up in minutes.
• Flexible Device Options: LoRaWAN® supports a variety of devices for tasks like air quality monitoring, leak detection, and occupancy tracking.

How LoRaWAN® Stands Out from Wi-Fi and BLE

When it comes to choosing a wireless technology for facility management, it’s essential to understand the strengths and limitations of each option.

Here’s how LoRaWAN® compares to Wi-Fi and BLE:

Overcoming Challenges in IoT and BMS Integration

While LoRaWAN® technology is highly effective, adding IoT devices to buildings hasn’t always been easy. Traditionally, integrating IoT devices with BMS required setting up separate networks and then figuring out how to connect them to the BMS. This process often led to several challenges:

• Time: Setting up standalone IoT platforms and linking them with BMS can take weeks or months.
• Cost: The expense of integration often exceeds the cost of the IoT devices themselves.
• Expertise: Many organizations don’t have the technical knowledge to manage complex integrations.

Unfortunately, these challenges have stopped many facility managers from using IoT, even when the benefits are clear.

TEKTELIC’s Simple, Practical Solution

At TEKTELIC, we’ve made the process much simpler. Our LoRaWAN® gateways are designed to work directly with existing BMS platforms, including those using Niagara tools.

Here’s how it works:

1. Built-In Intelligence: The gateways include their own LoRaWAN® Network Server, so they can handle data from IoT devices without needing additional systems.
2. BACnet Compatibility: The gateways connect directly to the BMS, making it easy to use data from IoT devices to improve building operations.
3. Ease of Setup: Facility managers can use familiar tools like Niagara to quickly configure devices, saving time and effort.

This approach combines the reliability of existing BMS systems with the flexibility and affordability of wireless IoT devices.

Conclusion

TEKTELIC has been helping clients simplify facility management for over 15 years. We guide building operators in choosing the best solutions to reduce energy use, improve indoor air quality, and create more comfortable environments.

With TEKTELIC’s LoRaWAN® gateways and BACnet support, integrating IoT devices into your building’s BMS is now easier and more affordable than ever. By combining the flexibility of LoRaWAN® with the integration power of BACnet, you can create a smarter, more efficient building that meets the demands of modern facility management.

Let TEKTELIC help you take your building management to the next level. Contact us info@tektelic.com