IBM and Honeywell division collaborate to advance smarter buildings

ARMONK, NY, July 28, 2010 --   IBM has announced plans to work with Tridium, Inc. to develop new technology and solutions that will allow companies to maximize efficiency of their new and existing buildings and facilities while keeping an eye on profits.

Tridium, part of Honeywell's Automation and Control Solutions group, is a global provider of software and embedded hardware that allows for integration and control of the numerous devices, systems and networks found in commercial buildings and retail structures.

Tridium's Niagara and Sedona software enable the integration and control of virtually every system and device in any facility from HVAC equipment, lighting and generators to gas pumps, ovens, and medical devices.

The companies plan to integrate IBM Tivoli Monitoring for Energy Management and IBM Maximo Asset Management enterprise software with Niagara and Sedona to create secure, Internet-enabled networks that will allow for new levels of energy management, integrate thousands of disparate systems and devices, and analyze vast streams of real-time data.

Applying IBM's advanced software will let managers know if their buildings and the systems inside are operating at maximum performance and profitability, a major concern in many industries, including retail.

For example, instead of a convenience store's failed refrigeration unit or broken coffee machine going unnoticed, the advanced systems planned by IBM and Tridium will automatically generate work orders and dispatch repairmen to the scene before the store manager is even aware the ice cream is melting or the java has stopped flowing.

Tridium technology supports hundreds of key protocols and networks used by the providers of building-automation systems-including open-standards-based software, cellular networks and Internet Protocols.  These protocols allow different physical objects to communicate to each other, often called "the Internet of Things."

"Our work to create smarter buildings,will be enhanced by Tridium technology that allow the many of the systems that constitute a building - heat, water, sewage and electricity --  to be controlled and automated," said David Bartlett, vice president, Industry Solutions, IBM Software.

"Together we'll be able to give clients greater intelligence and control of their buildings and of the physical world."

"Our technologies embrace many communications methods in order to support the integration of these disparate systems and devices, facilitating better control and awareness," said Steve Fey, Tridium's president. "Our focus has always been on the integration and interoperability of all of these systems, whether wired or wireless.

Now, with IBM we can deliver an end-to-end IP-based infrastructure for any type of building and deliver real-time information, asset intelligence, and analysis from virtually every device and sensor in the network for decision support around the globe."

New emerging technologies will make IP (Internet Protocol) a common standard for connecting smart sensors and devices to the enterprise.  IBM plans to adopt and promote Tridium's open-source Sedona application environment.  Sedona enables secure and IP-based device networks and advanced data analytics, bringing new automation capabilities to facilities and increased levels of control to management.