Deciding whether to upgrade your building management system is a significant decision with long-term implications. This checklist provides a systematic approach to evaluation.
Part 1: Current System Assessment
System Age and Condition
- ☐ How old is the supervisory software? (>10 years = concern)
- ☐ How old are the controllers? (>15 years = concern)
- ☐ What is the failure rate over the past 3 years?
- ☐ Are critical spare parts available?
- ☐ Is the system still supported by the manufacturer?
Service and Support
- ☐ Can you find qualified service providers?
- ☐ What are your annual service costs? (Track trend over 3 years)
- ☐ How long does it take to get service when needed?
- ☐ Do service providers have access to required parts and software?
Part 2: Capabilities Gap Analysis
Energy & Compliance
- ☐ LL84 benchmarking data?
- ☐ LL97 compliance support?
- ☐ Energy meter integration?
- ☐ Carbon emissions reporting?
- ☐ Demand response capability?
Integration
- ☐ Can new equipment integrate easily?
- ☐ BACnet or open protocol support?
- ☐ Lighting/metering integration?
- ☐ API access available?
Operations
- ☐ Modern, user-friendly interface?
- ☐ Current browser/mobile support?
- ☐ Adequate trending/historical data?
- ☐ Actionable analytics?
Security
- ☐ User authentication & access controls?
- ☐ Network security capable?
- ☐ Communication encrypted?
- ☐ Security updates available?
Part 3: Business Context
Building Plans
- ☐ Major renovation planned in next 5 years?
- ☐ Building being sold or refinanced soon?
- ☐ Significant equipment replacements planned?
- ☐ Will building use change (occupancy, hours)?
Budget and Finance
- ☐ Is capital available for upgrade?
- ☐ Utility incentives available to offset costs?
- ☐ What payback expectation for investment?
- ☐ Can costs be phased over multiple years?
Part 4: Risk Assessment
Risk of NOT Upgrading
- Critical component failure impact?
- Compliance penalties if requirements unmet?
- Energy wasted due to poor control?
- Continued high service costs?
Risk of Upgrading
- Project execution risks?
- Building operation during work?
- New system performance?
- Staff adaptation/training?
Part 5: Decision Framework
Strong Indicators for Upgrade
- System is unsupported with no available parts
- Service costs exceed 15% of replacement cost annually
- Compliance requirements cannot be met
- Integration with new equipment is impossible
- Security vulnerabilities cannot be addressed
Factors Favoring Delay
- System is functional with available support
- Major building change planned within 3-5 years
- Capital is not available
- Current system meets operational needs
Next Steps
- Summarize findings in a brief assessment document
- Share with relevant stakeholders for input
- If upgrade seems warranted, request proposals
- Compare proposals against your requirements
- Make a documented, informed decision
At Controls NYC, we can help you work through this evaluation. Contact us for an objective assessment of your building automation system.
Ready to Discuss Your Building?
Whether you're evaluating an upgrade, dealing with a failing system, or just want a second opinion — we're happy to talk through your options.
Schedule a Free Consultation