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WHAT DOES IT TAKES TO MAKE A SMART CONFERENCE ROOM?

Posted on January 22, 2019 by buildtrack-admin

With the introduction of conference room automation, companies can improve the efficiency of their meetings, saving time and money. A complete conference room management solution that can be deployed quickly with minimal wiring and disruption can help it make smart. The system could include the following

Lighting Control: Turning the lights ON/ OFF or dimming them using a Remote control or through a Smart App.
Motorized Roller Blinds & Projector Screen Control: Allowing curtains or blinds to be opened or closed through a Remote or Smart App. Also, allows moving the projector screen as well as any projectors deployed using motorized mounts.
Energy Conservation: Automatic control of motorized blinds along the glass facade to minimize glare and ingress of direct solar radiation. Motion sensors in the washrooms or passages can also be used to save energy.
Safety Monitoring: Monitoring fire safety in pantries and other critical areas by using smoke sensor.

In addition to conference room automation offices can consider other elements of automation to improve overall office operations. These can include some of the below also:

Surveillance: Monitoring the office premises using CCTV & IP cameras. DVRs can be used for recording the footages.
Access Control: Ensuring protection to your premises, staff and assets by allowing control over who is allowed to enter your premises using an access control system. This can also work as an attendance system too.
Centralized Management: Ability to bring together all the aspects on a centralized dashboard for one or multiple office locations, including centralized lighting control, safety monitoring and camera streaming through Browser or Smart Apps.

Companies like BuildTrack also offer many other features as add-ons. There are Wireless Call buttons that can be placed across an office for variety of uses. They can be used to alert the concierge for food service or they can be placed in wash-rooms and pantries for cleaning or supply needs. Apart from conference room automation there are other features which can make companies safe, smart and sustainable across their globally distributed Office branches. Click here to read more https://www.buildtrack.in/enterprise-solutions

SAFE AND SECURE HOMES DELIVERED THROUGH HOME AUTOMATION

Posted on January 14, 2019 by buildtrack-admin

Home automation is on the rise and one of the significant reasons for it the desire for homeowners to have much improved home safety and security. Increasingly people are more away from their homes, when both parents in a family work and kids go to school on a daily basis. There are also more vacations away from home, when there is no one present to look after the home and in such situations there is a need for greater safety and security. In situations when there are people at home by themselves, especially elderly people or young kids, there is a need for additional safety and security that is being sought in order to alleviate concerns. All these result in SAFETY & SECURITY being the dominant reasons why home automation is shown to be of great value to people, in terms of offering peace of mind. The key areas in which Safety and Security are being sought by home owners are:

Gas leaks : Monitoring for leaks from cylinders or piped gas
Smoke & Fire: Monitoring for fires that break out in home at a very early stage when the fire creates smoke, especially in kitchens.
Intrusion: Monitoring door or window intrusion when no one is at home and for some door or windows that are high risk for break in
Motion sensing: Monitoring the inside of homes when no one is at home and also for areas such as balconies which intruders might access even if people are at home
Panic buttons: Quick way to trigger alarms and communicate the need for help in case of home intrusions, or emergencies experienced in the home. Wireless versions can be carried on person (within the home), especially by senior citizens in case they fall down and need help
Video Door Phones: To speak and see visitors before you open the door, or to even remotely see who is at the door when you are not at home.
Centralized monitoring of sensors: All the above sensors being monitored not just by home owners but by other professional management within the residential or commercial building complex so that response can be assured quickly and effectively to any Safety or Security event

Keep your home safe and secure by opting for home automation technologies that provide such features. These systems are now available in wireless deployment options so that even in existing homes they can be deployed quickly and without disturbing the finished space. Click here to know more. https://www.buildtrack.in/home-automation-india

LEARN HOW LASER PERIMETERS OFFER THE BEST SECURITY FOR YOUR BUILDINGS

Posted on December 6, 2018 by buildtrack-admin

Security is important to all residents of a building. It only takes one act of intrusion to create a sense of insecurity amongst all the residents. While great care is taken to man the entry and exit points of a property with security personnel, it is not always possible to guard the complete perimeter of the same property. A Laser Perimeter System is exactly intended to serve that need by providing a high level of security to secure the perimeter using Laser technology. This is military grade protection that often used to secure military bases and is now trickling into the mainstream civilian environment.

BuildTrack offers such a perimeter security using laser beam and ultrasound beams. These perimeters are monitored via the BuildTrack BMS system which can provide notifications on Smart Phones as well as in a Central Monitoring Station, whenever these beams are disrupted. Typically there are cameras also strategically located for perimeter monitoring. The BuildTrack BMS system also allows association of correct camera feeds to the zones of the perimeter monitoring to allow rapid assessment and response to the intrusion situation.

BuildTrack provides the system in two configurations, a two Beam System for wall mount installation and Six Beam System for ground installation. This system is fully resistant to the external climatic changes such as dust, moisture etc. This makes it a completely efficient system for the outdoor operation. The system consists of transmitters and receivers. The transmitter end transmits the laser and the receiver end receives the beam. If the laser beam is interrupted and not received at the receiver end, a notification/alarm is generated.

The laser perimeter system is still at the higher end of the cost spectrum, and is suitable for situations where the best in safety is being demanded by the residents on the property. It can offer a sense of security that is not matched by much else in the market today. Contact us if you have queries or would like to see if this is right for your situation.

DO YOU KNOW WHY HOME AUTOMATION IS GOING MAINSTREAM?

Posted on November 6, 2018July 21, 2025 by buildtrack-admin

The Home automation industry is rapidly growing and now evolving more to a converged offering with integration of Lighting Controls, Safety Security Sensors, Voice Enabled Systems, Entertainment and many more. Advances in the areas of Apps are also changing the user interfaces and it is becoming much more user friendly and simple for users to manage, even on their handheld devices. The concept of smart homes is growing steadily in urban homes across India. Pune is currently the biggest market for home automation in India and accounts for 15 percent of the overall market. The growing market share of smart homes in India can be attributed to the growth of IT hubs and HNWI’s (high net worth individuals). HNWIs are concentrated in NCR, Punjab and Gujarat while IT Hubs are primarily located in Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Noida and Coimbatore.

Here is the list of 5 major factors that is helping Home Automation market to be in the mainstream:

Increasingly Cost Effective: Home Automation used to be a luxury segment earlier catered to only by products from outside India, however with the Make In India initiative underway, many home automation products are designed and made here to world class standards, improving the economics. The new systems can also be undertaken in bits and pieces (e.g. Safety only, or Security only or Lighting only) to allow affordable deployment in many homes.
Increasing Acceptance: As per a report by money control, in India, the market for smart homes has been growing steadily. Every year, the uptake of smart homes in India is increasing by between 15-18% in tier 1 cities and by between 5-10% in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. With both spouses working, home automation is regarded as a desirable solution to keep homes safe while they are not occupied. While this awareness is slightly lower in non-metro cities, people in metro cities understand the system and its features.
Need for Energy Savings: With high electricity bills being a headache for the home owners, any energy saving option is an added advantage. Many home automation systems include sensors that automatically turn off the lights when not needed or use schedules to do the same. Not only does this allow homeowners to reduce their eco-footprint, but it allows them to enjoy significant cost savings in the process.
Ease of Use: Practically everyone has a Smart Phone these days. Smart Apps make it easier to access and use Home Automation systems without the need for specialized interface devices. The internet also makes access feasible from anywhere. Designs of Apps ensure that users experience simplicity so that any user irrespective of age can use it comfortably while keeping their option of traditional physical switches. BuildTrack is one of the companies which offers such Home Automation Systems.
Retrofit-ability: Consumers are not willing to change their existing switches or they don’t want to engage in re-wiring, but still want to experience and use Home Automation. In such cases, the wireless options are the only ones that can be used, restricting the options available to the customers. BuildTrack is one of the few Home Automation systems that work with any of the existing switches and can be wireless, that mean retrofits are easily possible!

All these aspects taken together are ushering the use of Home Automation into the mainstream quite rapidly. Read more to know what companies like BuildTrack offers under the Home Automation segment.

TALK TO YOUR HOMES: AMAZON ALEXA OR GOOGLE ASSISTANT

Posted on November 6, 2018 by buildtrack-admin

What was seen in seen in movies earlier with Voice controlled homes is now becoming a reality in many homes today. With the introduction of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant or Apple Homepod interacting with your home and all the electrical assets in there is a possibility. Home automation companies like BuildTrack, are incorporating voice control into the smart home system to control multiple facets from lighting to media devices. Sensors in the home can also communicate back to the home occupants to inform them about the status of safety and security of the home.

A voice enable smart home can be useful for people with physical limitations such as the elderly and the physically disabled to reduce their dependence on others for some of the basic actions within a home like turning on/off lights or fans or opening and closing curtains and so forth. Even doors can be opened remotely by them after ascertaining who the visitor is. For homes where there are children, greater electrical safety is achieved if they are not touching electrical switches and instead using voice control in their rooms. Home occupants can find other features to add significant convenience, such as single commands that can take care of multiple actions within the home. For instance simply saying “Going to Work” can turn off the lighting, AC’s and media devices while arming all the security sensors; “Going to sleep” can turn off the light and media devices but leave the AC’s on with only the balcony sensors being armed.

Some of the features of a voice controlled system that can work for both homes and hotels are listed below:

In Homes:

Control lights or fans in any room
Dimming of lights, Fan Speed Control
Opening or closing the curtains or blinds
Turning on or off the air conditioners and setting temperatures
Turn on or off the TV or STB and changing channels or volume levels

In Hotels:

While all of the above commands used in Homes are relevant in Hotels, other additional features via voice will add value to the Guest as well

Enable or Disabling the Do Not Disturb mode for the guest rooms
Enabling the laundry service or Housekeeping
Ordering room service for food

REDUCING GLARE THROUGH AUTOMATED BLINDS IMPROVES WORK PRODUCTIVITY

Posted on October 15, 2018July 21, 2025 by buildtrack-admin

Glass Facades or large windows are now typical in the design of glass buildings because they serve a necessary aspect for all the employees to connect with the outside nature through the course of their day. In fact green buildings specifications recommend that a large portion of the floor space should be able to see the sky as it helps productivity and comfort of the personnel in the space.

Of course in countries like India where sunlight can be especially harsh through much of the year, such buildings are more prone to the glare component of the natural light on some of the facades. This is because during the afternoon time, the sun starts to descend and the sunrays incidentally hits the west façade and enter inside the office space. One of the solutions to avoid Glare is to install blinds near to the façade and roll them down when the sun hits the glazing with a high intensity. So whenever there is a glare incoming which causes discomfort for an occupant, blinds are manually pulled down. However, in 80% of the cases the blinds are never pulled back up, even if there is no more glare incoming. This increases the need for artificial lighting in that space even during the daytime since the space never receives diffused natural light because of the rolled down blinds.

The best way to balance the activity is with optimum control of blinds by pulling them down only during the time when interior receives a certain level of glare. Automated curtains or blinds are a very useful solution in this situation. This solution consists of a daylight/photosensor that communicates with motorized blind. The daylight sensor is typically installed inside the space on the mullion with a 90° with respect to the glazing.

It should not be obstructed from measuring the outsides sunlight level by the blinds even when the blinds are down. This sensor senses the lux level of light entering inside the space. Once the light intensity has reached 2500 lux or higher (or any value that the user sets) the sensor communicates to the motorized blinds (wired or wirelessly depending on type of sensor) and the blind motor pulls down the blinds. Once the light intensity reduces below 2500 lux (or set value), the sensor again communicates with the motorized blinds, which pulls up the blinds. This solution is not only applicable for new spaces, but can be retrofitted in a number of existing situations. The only requirement to consider is that motorized blinds do require a source of AC power and hence do need to have access to it close by the window.

This is a very efficient way to control the glare to avoid occupant discomfort while enabling greater productivity. Ensuring usable natural light to enter inside the space helps in reducing the lighting energy consumption. Installing an additional lux sensor at the inner space approximately

2ft away from the blind/window will measure the lux level at the working area and control the artificial lighting accordingly. The combination of two lux sensors (one for the blind control & other to control artificial lights) helps in bringing in the right amount of diffused natural light and at the same time helps in reducing the interior lighting consumption. Typically this is best done in combination with Motion Sensors, so at night time the lights are turned be ON when there is occupant presence in the space. The combination of Lux Sensors and Motion Sensors can play an important role in conserving lighting energy in a building and making the best use of natural light for greater productivity.

BuildTrack provides a variety of such sensors, motorized blinds/curtains and multiple other types of centralized control of lighting, air conditioners and other energy consuming assets to help offices and residences conserve energy while maximizing comfort and productivity of the occupants.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY OFFERS GREAT FINANCIAL RETURNS FOR COMPANIES

Posted on October 9, 2018 by buildtrack-admin

The cost of power in India is rising rapidly and this trend is unlikely to change anytime in the near future in our growing economy. Energy bills account for a significant portion of the operating costs of corporations. While this is a significant burden on companies, this area also provides CFO’s with a unique opportunity to bolster the bottom line of their company through corporate-wide Energy Efficiency programs. With the rapid evolution of technology, this can be one of the best investments for a company, with paybacks that are impressively within 12-24 month range and benefits are clearly measurable in the form of lower energy costs for the corporation. Energy efficiency should therefore rank amongst the top corporate initiatives simply from this perspective, and the fact that in addition it helps the country to conserve a precious resource that is in short supply and has a substantially positive impact on the environment in metros where it has often become difficult to breathe clean air.

The energy consumption in the offices of most companies is primarily driven by electrical equipment associated with lighting, air-conditioning and fans. Besides this, other contributors are usually plug loads (PC’s and other office equipment) and a few items like, heavy electrical equipment such as pumps and motors, if a complete building is occupied by the company. These equipment are typically distributed across multiple office spaces across cities where the company operates. Often these offices are in finished spaces that cannot be re-modeled or even slightly modified with say, additional wiring, due to the cost and the disruption to the business. Electrical equipment such as Air Conditioners and Fans usually belong to multiple vendors and cannot be changed. Despite these seemingly disparate challenges that range from geographically distributed spaces to multiple vendors, to the inability to alter wiring or interiors, significant energy efficiency can be achieved through the use of recent technologies.

Recent energy efficiency solutions that use the latest technologies in the form of sensors, actuators, controllers, communication, smart switches, LED’s, Voice enabled devices, Smart Meters, Smart Apps and Server software for schedule/control/monitor along with wireless options such as WiFi and other RF enabled retrofitting variety of equipment, rapidly reduce the wastage and manage their use and hence their consumption of power. The beauty of these technologies is that most often they are non-disruptive because they can be deployed quickly without impacting existing equipment or spaces or interior decors and remain in the background such that users of these power consuming equipment do not feel really impacted in terms of their personal comfort or conveniences. These technologies work in the background to ensure efficiency by eliminating wastage for most part and sometimes tweaking the usage behavior in minor ways that do not impact the consumers. By smartly deploying these technologies selectively and surgically, significant ROI benefits can be achieved. Paybacks in the range of 12-24 months are achievable on average in number of situations.

Our company BuildTrack is a leader in such Smart Automation and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and we have been twice awarded the Excellence in Energy Management Award by CII for the most Innovative Energy Saving Solutions that we have designed and developed in India. Our organization also is a certified ESCO from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in India. The objective of our solutions is to allow large companies to deploy Corporate-wide initiatives that can take a 5-10% bite out of their entire energy consumption, with ROI that range between 12-24 months. Our solutions target the highest electricity consuming assets in any space, including Lighting, Air Conditioners, Fans/Exhausts/Blowers, Water Pumps and Motors. Air conditioners in any company are typically responsible for almost 30-50% of the power bill and are often the principal targets of such an exercise for rapid ROIs.

BuildTrack solutions provide a win-win situation for the corporation, consumer, environment and country. Learn more at www.buildtrack.in/energy-efficiency-solutions.

3 REASONS TO IMPLEMENT A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Posted on September 18, 2018 by buildtrack-admin

What is a Building Management System (BMS)?

A Building Management System (BMS), otherwise known as a Building Automation System (BAS), is a centralized control and monitoring system for the building via a computer. The core functions of a BMS system installed in buildings is to control and monitor utility equipments such as Lighting, HVAC, Ventilation systems, Fire Alarm Panels, Fire Hydrant Panels, Water Tank Monitoring, Elevator Operations, CCTV, Access Control, Vehicle Management, Perimeter Security , Generators, STP, WTP and many more of the sub-systems that are employed within a building. A BMS system will include Sensors, Pressure Switches, Flow Meters, Controllers, Relays, Communication Protocols, API’s, Interfaces to MODBus and User Interface as its basic components that work together to deliver this control and monitoring.

Why You Should Implement a BMS System in Your Building?

Implementation of a Building Management System enables smart operation and efficient maintenance of the building. The BMS solution does so for the building by

Enabling Safety and Security: A BMS system enables monitoring of various sensors such as smoke, gas leak and door-intrusion sensors that are installed in the building. BuildTrack BMS system can record and notify on central monitoring kiosks as well as on Smart Apps and via emails and SMS to all relevant parties. Remote door unlocking facility can be provided to improve convenience, which typically works well in conjunction with Video Door Phone deployments For many buildings there are additional systems that integrate into the BMS, importantly perimeter security systems (e.g. laser based) or Access Control Systems for key building areas or even elevators.

Improving building operations by controlling and monitoring of the electrical equipments: A Building Automation System allows complete control of all facility lighting for common areas, podiums, parking, facade lighting and landscaping. It allows control of water pumps and monitoring of water tank status. It can monitor the status of a variety of sub-systems that need constant vigil at the building level such as Generators, STP plants, Elevators and more. Energy consumption monitoring, especially for the energy consumption devices without using sub-metering is one of the key features enabled by BuildTrack’s BMS system.

Improving the responsiveness to the needs of building occupants: BuildTrack BMS offers Smart Apps that can be used by building occupants to generate service requests for variety of maintenance support reasons. These requests can be monitored by the facility management personnel and is assigned to the dedicated maintenance personnel for quick response and their status updated on a constant basis. Not only does it support maintenance but other aspects for better Asset management also, including preventive maintenance scheduling, warranty and amc expiration information and also technical manuals and specs for key assets.

A Building Management Systems is a key addition and an invaluable resource for both residential and commercial buildings. It keeps operating costs down while improving both responsiveness and efficiency. Know more about BuildTrack’s BMS System: https://www.buildtrack.in/building-management-system

3 THINGS TO KNOW IN RESTAURANT & BANQUET AUTOMATION

Posted on September 11, 2018 by buildtrack-admin

In one of our previous blogs, we discussed how Smart Automation can benefit hotels and how it has become a trending topic within the hospitality industry. Most architects or interior designers associated with hotels, especially boutique and luxury ones explore options that can give their customers a high class experience. Smart Automation can help improve the Brand of the hotel by helping them craft a unique experience for the guests, one that infuses technology to create comfort and convenience. We have listed out the top 3 aspect to be considered by any architect while considering the infusion of Smart Automation.

Banquet Halls & Restaurants:
- Lighting controls of banquet halls and restaurant areas can be automated through Smart Apps to create a variety of one-touch profiles that can be enabled to suit specific occasions or for various periods within the occasions.
- Elegant capacitive glass touch switches for manual operation of lighting and other controls add to the sense of class within the space
- Dimming controls can be provided to set a mood profile for the banquet and restaurant as per the need of the occasion.
- Air conditioners in halls can be centrally controlled and actual temperature monitored to allow for sufficient comfort while supporting energy efficiency
- Centralized monitoring of fire safety in pantry and other critical areas can be enabled by using smoke, Gas, and heat sensors, to quickly address any safety event before it gets out of control and destroys lives or property.

Indoor:
- The entrance area lighting including chandeliers, LEDs can be controlled and dimmed by Smart Apps. The daily operation can be handled via scheduling options.
- Motion sensors in the washrooms, aisles, bathrooms, elevators, seating areas, conference rooms, stairwells etc., can be used to save energy as well as to provide convenience of not having to hunt for light switches.
- For high end hotels with large suites, the ability to see the visitor at the guest room door on a Smart App and to unlock the room door remotely
- Guests are provided the luxury of control via Smart Apps and remotes for their room lights, TV, STB (Set top boxes), curtains and more.

Outdoor:
- Common area outdoor lighting can be scheduled and controlled through Smart Apps as per daily needs to conserve energy as well as to eliminate variability that can arise if operated by individuals.
- Sprinklers can also be automated based on the schedules, soil moisture and/or external weather conditions
- Centralized, single point control of electrical assets used on the hotel property, such as motors, pumps, DG sets, CCTV, Fire Panels, STP and more provides for highly efficient operations
- Centralized monitoring of safety and security sensors across the property, including perimeter monitoring.

The facility manager of the hotel can control and monitor the entire operation using his desktop computer or through Smart Apps. Read more about our recent project in Hotel Ramada, one of the biggest hotels in Lucknow. See our video of how Guest Room Automation can enhance the guest experience.

HOW SMART AUTOMATION CAN BENEFIT HOTELS!

Posted on August 14, 2018 by buildtrack-admin

Hotel automation systems are transforming the hospitality industry by enhancing guest experiences and optimizing hotel operations. Smart hotel solutions in India offer centralized control of lighting, climate, security, and entertainment, ensuring convenience and energy efficiency. Let’s explore the benefits of hotel automation and how smart hotel solutions in India are revolutionizing hospitality.

Benefits of Hotel Automation

Guest Room Automation
Enhanced Efficiency
Centralized Management & Security
Smart Lighting Control in Hotels

How Does Guest Room Automation Elevate Comfort?

Guest rooms define the hotel’s experience. Hospitality automation technology enables app-based control of lighting, fans, ACs, TVs, curtains, and room service. Occupancy-based energy optimization reduces operational costs while ensuring guest comfort. Guests can also use Indoor and Outdoor Touch Panels to enable service requests such as DND (Do Not Disturb), MMR (Make My Room), and Laundry, improving convenience and efficiency.

How Can Hotel Automation Systems Enhance Efficiency?

Hospitality automation technology enables centralized control of lighting, climate, security, and entertainment. This reduces operational costs while enhancing guest convenience. Smart lighting and climate control in lobbies, conference rooms, and restaurants minimize energy waste while maintaining an inviting atmosphere.

How Does Hospitality Automation Technology Improve Hotel Security?

Safety sensors for smoke and gas leaks in guest rooms, kitchens, and storage areas can be monitored through smart hotel solutions, ensuring proactive safety measures for guests and staff. BuildTrack provides a centralized platform that connects all guest rooms, allowing real-time tracking of occupancy, room status (e.g., DND), and service requests (e.g., housekeeping). Hotel staff receive instant notifications on their system, ensuring prompt response to guest needs.

Why Is Smart Lighting Crucial for Hotel Automation Systems?

Lighting plays a key role in hotel ambiance. Smart hotel solutions must include:

Master ON/OFF control for easy management.
Zone-based dimming for customized settings.
Mood-based profiles for events and guest preferences.
Automated scheduling for optimal energy efficiency.

Lighting Control for Banquets in Hotels

Banquet halls require flexible lighting solutions to create the perfect ambiance for different events. Hotel automation systems allow:

Scene-based lighting to adjust brightness levels for conferences, weddings, or social gatherings.
Preset lighting profiles for quick transitions between event setups.
Remote and app-based control for easy management by hotel staff.
Energy-efficient solutions that adjust lighting based on occupancy.

BuildTrack’s smart hotel solutions in India are redefining the future of hospitality automation technology. Our hotel automation systems offer both wired and wireless solutions, making deployment cost-effective for new and existing hotels. Discover how BuildTrack is revolutionizing the hospitality sector with smart hotel solutions in India. Learn more about our solution.