Executive Summary

Open Systems have changed the way we address building automation. The Open System vision of a total building control network that encompasses every building system has now become the owner's baseline expectation. In addition, owners are looking for open solutions that break the sole-source lock, enable competitive bidding and allow best-in-breed product selection. For an Open System to deliver this vision it must have a dynamic application, be able to utilize enterprise technologies and present new opportunities and added value for manufacturers, system integrators and owners alike.

The challenge in the market is selecting an open system technology. There are many technologies available that claim to be an "open system technology". Each has its merits, but only the LonWorks Technology and the BACnet Standard have gained wide acceptance and application. They both aspire to the same goals, however, they have very different network, software and hardware requirements. For all practical intents they are mutually exclusive solution approaches. Ultimately, one must be chosen over the other. The two can co-exist at an installation, but are relegated to sharing information through a gateway. This architecture defeats the benefits of an open system and underutilizes each technology.

Before deciding between LonWorks and BACnet three areas need to be considered: the Open System goals; respective market presence; and solution approach. Both aspire to the Open System goals of implementing an End-to-End solution that is Open, Interoperable and Multi-Vendor. Comparing market presence illustrates the influence each has on the market and comparing solution approach reveals the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. A comparative evaluation of LonWorks and BACnet with respect to the Open System goals provides the basis for making an informed decision.

Comparing market presence involves evaluating user community activity and the extent of the installed base. When evaluating the user community it is apparent that the LonWorks community is larger, is producing more products and has more certified devices than the BACnet community. Comparing the installed base for each is more of a challenge. The available information shows a significantly larger LonWorks installed base consisting of millions of devices installed worldwide. Comparing market presence shows greater market acceptance for the LonWorks technology over BACnet. This implies a greater demand for LonWorks products and an active community of manufacturers and system integrators.

Comparing solution approach shows the similarities and differences between LonWorks and BACnet. Evaluating their similarities shows that both can deliver complete End-to-End solutions with an array of control devices and operator interface options. Focusing on their differences shows significant divergence in several notable areas including device interoperability (and interchangeability), network management, product distribution and integration of new technology.

The device level interoperability differences affect network architecture and the ability to create multi-vendor solutions. The LonWorks technology enables peer-to-peer data exchange at the field level and with the supervisory/management level, creating a flat network architecture with the potential for multi-vendor interoperable networks. To proliferate these networks, the LonMark® Association has established physical and application layer guidelines and functional profiles (each is available on the LonMark website). The functional profiles facilitate device-to-device communications by defining a set of functional characteristics for specific device types. This enables owners to choose, substitute, and integrate products from multiple vendors, thereby providing competition and competitive bidding. By contrast, the BACnet standard, while also defining how devices can exchange information, does not define device profiles analogous to LonMark profiles. Instead, manufactures are free to choose which BACnet functions to implement within devices. This results in devices from competing manufacturers that may not communicate device-to-device or be freely substituted with one another. Device-level BACnet data is typically exchanged through supervisory devices creating a tiered network architecture. Future network expansion is dependent on manufacturer specific applications to interface with supervisory devices.

Network management functions are used in every control solution to design, configure, commission and install devices. In proprietary solutions these functions are tied to a proprietary network database and are either distributed among several software applications or bundled with the operator interface application. Often network management functions appear invisible or operate automatically in the background during system/device configuration. The LonWorks approach collects all of the network management functions into a single independent software application to perform all network functions. Many LonWorks network management applications and network tools use the LNS® network operating system (available from Echelon® Corporation), which provides a common network database and client-server environment for all LonWorks installations. Many vendors have developed LNS-based products that can interact with devices and interface with operator interface applications from multiple vendors. This flexibility strengthens vendor independence by enabling network service from a wide array of network management tool providers. In contrast, BACnet solutions rely on a network management tool that is specific to the vendor supplying the solution. There is no BACnet equivalent to LNS; each vendor supplies a custom network operating system and network database (which may require multiple tools to implement).

Product distribution and the integration of new technology are two vital areas for commercial success and market influence. LonWorks and BACnet solutions are both available from several manufacturers, but only LonWorks component products are available from independent distributors. There is no independent distribution of BACnet component products. Independent product distribution provides system integrators and owners the opportunity to select the best-in-breed products without being tied to a manufacturer specific solution. The LonWorks community has also embraced new technology (new to building automation) like XML, IP and Web Services. Products are readily available, opening new opportunities for property owners and system integrators. The BACnet community has been slower to adopt new technologies, resulting in longer time to market for new products.

Selecting an Open System solution is a matter of choosing either a LonWorks or BACnet solution. Both are capable of delivering an End-to-End solution, however, for product availability, product diversity, vendor choice and the latest technology, LonWorks has a significant market lead.

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About Strata Resource Inc

Strata Resource Inc is a market research company that specializes in research and analysis of building automation technology, companies, trends and products. Strata Resource addresses the growing need for information in the building automation industry. This industry is a dynamic arena of companies, products and professionals. Staying informed on new product developments, technology advances and corporate mergers is a daunting task in this ever-changing market. Each new day presents new options, opportunities, choices and challenges that influence every decision. Strata Resource is your independent resource for objective and timely market information for making informed decisions.