Executive Summary
Open systems have changed the approach to building automation. The vision of an Open System as a single building control network spanning all engineering systems has now become a baseline owner expectation. In addition, owners are looking for open solutions that eliminate single-vendor lock-in, enable competitive bidding, and allow best-in-class products to be selected. For an Open System to deliver on this vision, it must have a dynamic application, be able to leverage enterprise technologies, and open up new opportunities and added value for manufacturers, system integrators, and owners alike.
The challenge in the market is choosing an open system technology. Many technologies are available that claim the title of "open system technology." Each has its advantages, but only LonWorks technology and the BACnet standard have gained broad recognition and adoption. Both pursue the same goals, yet they have very different network, software, and hardware requirements. For all practical purposes, they are mutually exclusive solution approaches. Ultimately, one must be chosen over the other. Both can coexist on the same site, but they are forced to exchange information through a gateway. Such an architecture negates the benefits of an open system and underutilizes each technology.
Before choosing between LonWorks and BACnet, three aspects must be considered: the goals of the Open System; the respective market presence; and the solution approach. Both pursue the goals of the Open System, namely delivering an end-to-end solution that is Open, Interoperable, and Multi-vendor. Comparing market presence illustrates each one's impact on the market, while comparing the solution approach reveals the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. A comparative evaluation of LonWorks and BACnet against the goals of the Open System provides the basis for an informed decision.
Comparing market presence involves assessing the activity of the user community and the size of the installed base. In evaluating the user community, it is evident that the LonWorks community is larger, produces more products, and has more certified devices than the BACnet community. Comparing the installed base of each is more difficult. The available information shows a significantly larger LonWorks installed base, consisting of millions of devices installed worldwide. The market presence comparison shows greater market acceptance of LonWorks technology compared to BACnet. This indicates stronger demand for LonWorks products and an active community of manufacturers and system integrators.
Comparing the solution approach reveals the similarities and differences between LonWorks and BACnet. An assessment of their similarities shows that both are capable of providing complete end-to-end solutions with a range of control devices and operator interface options. Focusing on their differences reveals a substantial divergence in several notable areas, particularly device interoperability (and interchangeability), network management, product distribution, and the integration of new technologies.
Differences in device-level interoperability affect the network architecture and the ability to create multi-vendor solutions. LonWorks technology enables peer-to-peer data communication at the field level, as well as with the supervisory control/management level, creating a flat network architecture with the potential for multi-vendor interoperable networks. To promote such networks, the LonMark® Association has established physical- and application-layer guidelines and functional profiles (each available on the LonMark website). Functional profiles facilitate communication between devices by defining a set of functional characteristics for specific device types. This allows owners to select, replace, and integrate products from multiple vendors, thereby ensuring competition and competitive bidding. In contrast, the BACnet standard, while it also defines how devices can exchange information, does not define device profiles analogous to LonMark profiles. Instead, manufacturers are free to choose which BACnet functions to implement in their devices. As a result, devices from competing manufacturers may not communicate with each other or be freely interchangeable. BACnet device-level data is typically communicated through supervisory devices, creating a multi-tier network architecture. Future network expansion depends on manufacturer-specific applications for interfacing 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 across several software applications or combined with the operator interface application. Often, network management functions appear invisible or run automatically in the background during system/device configuration. The LonWorks approach gathers all network management functions into a single independent software application that performs all network functions. Many LonWorks network management applications and network tools use the LNS® network operating system (available from Echelon® Corporation), which provides a shared network database and a client-server environment for all LonWorks installations. Many vendors have developed LNS-based products that can interact with devices and integrate with operator interface applications from multiple vendors. This flexibility reinforces vendor independence by enabling network service from a wide range of network management tool suppliers. In contrast, BACnet solutions rely on a network management tool specific to the vendor providing the solution. There is no BACnet equivalent of LNS; each vendor supplies its own network operating system and network database (which may require several tools to implement).
Product distribution and the integration of new technologies are two areas vital to commercial success and market impact. LonWorks and BACnet solutions are available from multiple manufacturers, but only LonWorks component products are available from independent distributors. Independent distribution of BACnet component products does not exist. Independent product distribution gives system integrators and owners the ability to choose best-in-class products without being tied to a manufacturer-specific solution. The LonWorks community has also embraced technologies new to building automation, such as 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.
Choosing an Open System solution comes down to choosing either a LonWorks or a BACnet solution. Both are capable of delivering an end-to-end solution, but in terms of product availability, product variety, vendor choice, and cutting-edge technologies, LonWorks holds a significant market advantage.
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Strata Resource Inc is a market research company specializing in the research and analysis of technologies, companies, trends, and products in the building automation field. Strata Resource meets the growing need for information in the building automation industry. This industry is a dynamic arena of companies, products, and professionals. Keeping up with new product developments, technological advances, and corporate mergers is a demanding task in this ever-changing market. Each new day brings new options, opportunities, choices, and challenges that affect every decision. Strata Resource is your independent resource for objective and timely market information to support informed decisions.