by Shane Henson — December 5, 2012—Initial findings from a new report by IMS Research, a provider of market research and consultancy to the global electronics industry, has revealed a growing trend in building automation systems toward photorealism and increased end user interaction. The “gamification” of the graphical user interface (GUI) is shaping the way these systems are being developed and used.
For decades, says IMS Research, spreadsheets offered the main tool to present data from the building management system. While using spreadsheets to display building data has benefits, it limits how data can be presented and how user-friendly the system is.
“In terms of user interfaces, building automation is playing catch-up with the rest of the electronics industry. This change in direction over the last six years towards photorealism and gamification of graphical user interfaces is a result of growing end user expectation,” explains Sam Grinter, market analyst at IMS Research.
End users expect their building automation systems to be as simple to understand as their smart phones, tablets and other entertainment systems. This prompted the introduction of three-dimensional (3D) graphics and animations to building management systems, says IMS Research. These graphics are increasingly being used on public displays in schools, colleges and offices. The public use of displays makes systems more interactive and helps to raise awareness for energy efficiency.
The increasing movement to photorealism and the gamification of GUIs is just one of the many trends affecting the market for value-added services in intelligent building, says IMS Research. In order to address this market, the report, The World Market for Value Added Services in Intelligent Building, will establish the size and key trends active in this emerging and fast-moving market, and is due to be published in early 2013.
