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  Maintaining a building management system means you’re likely familiar with the total building shutdown, wherein all systems are shut down for maintenance for several days, usually over a weekend. Some repairs, improvements, and upgrades can be best accomplished during a shutdown. For many facility management teams, a building shutdown is a regular part of … Read more

Summer is already here for much of the country. The hotter weather presents one of the most critical challenges to your building management system (BMS). Components must work extra hard to maintain comfortable temperatures.  We all know the result of less-than-optimal building environments. Employees are uncomfortable and less productive. Heat, however, is much harder for … Read more

FICO, a leader in facility security and building management systems, has a new addition to its commercial security offerings: the XSponse line of monitors, technology, and accessories designed to provide complete security for schools, hospitals, and commercial businesses of all types. “XSponse is one of the most innovative security companies we’ve seen,” says FICO’s security … Read more

Owners and decision-makers considering commercial security systems for their businesses quickly face a challenge: numerous choices. There’s variety in technology, design, features, and every other aspect. Choosing the right system requires homework and knowing what you need now and in the future.  One of those choices is between a wireless and a hard-wired system. Wireless … Read more

Increasing numbers of facility managers and building owners realize the importance of incorporating a building management system into their new or existing buildings. Reduced energy bills, compliance with federal, state, and local conservation mandates, and good citizenship are all rewards for those who maintain an up-to-date BMS. However, selecting a building management system also raises … Read more

A decade ago, FICO management identified facility security as a key area of need for customers. They also saw that the parallels that existed between physical security and building management systems made it a logical service to offer businesses. Not long after, FICO added  Gary Marrone as the firm’s security strategy consultant. Ever since, FICO … Read more

Earlier this year, the experts at FICO helped complete a major BMS upgrade of the HVAC System for Havre Public Schools in Havre, Montana. Providing quality ventilation, climate control, and building management systems (BMS) in classrooms is serious work that is vital to schools’ operations. Fresh air ensures students remain alert and ready to learn. Frequent … Read more

A building management system governing the distribution of electricity and controlling HVAC in your building saves money. There’s no question about that. However, facility managers can reduce those utility cost savings even more if they understand how their electrical utility determines the charges for the coming year for the electricity to power their building, especially … Read more

When most building professionals, facility managers, architects, and other professionals discuss building management systems (BMS), they immediately go to efficiencies in HVAC. Over the past decade, technological innovations have expanded this to include electrical distribution, energy efficiency, access control, security, and other areas.  However, not much has been said about the solutions for water management … Read more

Hospitals pose the ultimate challenge for building management systems (BMS) designers. They have multiple environments, many of which vary considerably in air quality requirements. There are operating rooms, treatment rooms, laboratories, sterile processing rooms, imaging rooms, supply rooms, and patient rooms. With COVID, there has been a heightened concern for infectious diseases, which poses more … Read more