Posted by Apolline Andrieu-Delille — October 30, 2024 — Johnson Controls, a global provider of solutions for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, recently launched a highly anticipated update to the company’s widely used Building Automation System (BAS), Metasys, which serves the needs of commercial, industrial and institutional buildings, regardless of industry.
The new iteration, Metasys 14.0, is designed to elevate a commercial building’s overall performance and sustainability while enhancing occupant comfort, health and safety. It builds on the proven Metasys platform with revolutionary new features that offer an improved user experience; enhance network efficiency, flexibility and security; simplify administration and improve energy management. In addition, it will be the first version to feature a continual release model designed to revolutionize the way new functionality is introduced to the system.
Metasys 14.0 is designed to elevate a commercial building’s overall performance and sustainability while enhancing occupant comfort, health and safety. Image: Johnson Controls
Bill Schwebel, VP/GM – Global Building Automation Systems & Controls, Johnson Controls, stated:
Metasys 14.0 represents a significant step toward achieving the autonomous building delivering end-to-end digital lifecycle management capabilities while ensuring compatibility with all building systems operating locally or in the cloud.
Ahead of the release, test customers tried and evaluated Metasys 14.0 and its new capabilities.
The University of Minnesota was one of the test customers for Metasys 14.0. Dan Bellows, controls engineer supervisor, University of Minnesota, remarked:
The University of Minnesota is excited about Johnson Controls latest ADX revision 14, which now contains a BACnet client. This allows communications directly from our ADX to any BACnet controller or device. Our users appreciate the Metasys User Interface single sign on feature. Our IT department is delighted to start the implementation of IPv6, which is now supported by Metasys 14.0.
Next-generation analytics tools increase building and troubleshooting efficiency
The Metasys 14.0 release features a new capability for users to quickly deploy preconfigured energy dashboards that visually display and report on building energy usage, energy consumption details and energy consumption by space. This turnkey solution allows users to find and reduce energy waste and eliminates the need for additional add-on toolsets, further improving efficiency and aiding in the decarbonization of building operations.
Users can increase equipment efficiency and performance via easy-to-configure, factory-designed and validated applications that adhere to the ASHRAE Guideline 36 (G36), High-Performance Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems. G36 includes proven, standardized HVAC control sequences, and adherence to it can accelerate onboarding and performance realization.
Device Health Indicator (DHI) is another advanced analytics tool provided as part of Metasys 14.0. This new feature proactively monitors predefined attributes to provide diagnostic feedback to help troubleshoot Metasys Engines should the need arise. DHI helps guide a technician or end user to potential problems by providing an easy-to-understand green/yellow/red indication around each monitored parameter, while also providing an overall Device Health Indication. This functionality aims to lessen down time and drives optimal performance of the Metasys building automation system.
Flattened architecture offers greater flexibility
An upgraded Metasys 14.0 BAS can now support up to 800 IP devices directly integrated with the ADS and ADX servers across a wide range of IP protocols, including but not limited to BACnet/IP, BACnet/SC and ModBus TCP. This can extend system scale without the need for an additional engine.
The flattened architecture increases the efficiency of communication between devices and provides architectural flexibility for both existing site expansions, along with new installations. This level of flexibility makes it possible to deploy the most suitable physical system architecture at each site, which can also simplify network management, accelerate data transmission and minimize costs.
Enhanced system security and compliance
Metasys 14.0 was designed to maximize system security and resilience with several key features, including a single sign-on capability, which increases network security and reduces the risk of password related vulnerabilities. It also minimizes administrative burden by allowing for the automatic creation of users and enables information technology (IT) departments to centrally manage permissions and maintain a high level of security and minimize threats. Further, Metasys now offers 802.1x support, which provides a secure and efficient means of communication and allows IT managers to better control devices on their network.
In addition, IPv6 support meets the compliance requirements of enterprise and government IT networks and adds additional flexibility in managing the proliferation of smart devices within a building or campus while better preparing the site for connection to remote servers and/or cloud based software packages.
Enhancements to user interface provide unified experience
The Metasys 14.0 update enhances the Metasys User Interface (MUI), providing users with a more unified experience when navigating a Metasys system. Users will have the ability to reach key data, such as alarm and audit information with fewer clicks, providing a simpler, time-saving solution.
Additionally, the enhanced MUI can be customized for users with different login credentials. For example, the Graphics Editor allows a user without admin access to develop and maintain graphics views. The Snapshot View allows for a user to view additional parameters that are not displayed in standard views to aid in troubleshooting. This is available for users who might not have access to the full system but who may need to view it for troubleshooting purposes.
Metasys 14.0 also features login warning banners, meeting compliance regulations for agencies such as DoD, GSA and FAA.
To learn more about Metasys 14.0, visit Johnson Controls.
