When it comes to comfort-based smart building solutions, SAUTER is an expert. UK Technical Director Neil Dolley and UK Head of Energy Charlie Hilton explained why, in an exclusive interview with Inside Sustainability. Report by Imogen Ward.
Creating sustainable environments is what building automation specialist
SAUTER does best. From the development of its renowned SAUTER Vision Center (SVC) to its high-performance Modulo 6 Smart Control Platform, SAUTER designs state-of-the-art technology with comfort and energy savings in mind.
“ Our main objectives are to maximise wellbeing, reduce energy consumption and optimise efficiency of our clients’ buildings,” said UK Technical Director Neil Dolley . “Using data analytics, the system will predict how varying operational patterns will influence the performance of the building. Once we have a greater understanding of how a building is being utilised and how the controls are performing, we can then focus on optimising the key objectives.”
With more than 100 years behind it, SAUTER has a long-standing history of technological design and innovation. The company’s subsidiary SAUTER UK has been proudly following in those footsteps ever since it was established back in 1976.
“The time clock was the first thing developed by SAUTER,” Mr Dolley said. “From there, we have gone on to develop and manufacture high-end control products such as smart intelligent actuators and smart sensors; today, we are highly focused on providing smart connectivity and tailored client solutions.”
SVC is the company’s web-based building management system (BMS) and integration platform, now on its eighth version. The system was first introduced to the market in 2014 and has been contin uously adapted and improved ever since.
“We release a new version on a regular basis,” Mr Dolley explained. “Version seven saw the introduction of our data analytics and energy module, AEM.”
“Visualising the building or plant analytics and energy data on a dashboard means the users can optimise and reduce energ y consumption,” UK Head of Energy Charlie Hilton added.
Whilst crucial, SVC is just one element within an intricate system of building mon itoring technology. From smart sensors to freely programable controllers, SAUTER utilises an array of technology to create a state-of-the-art smart environment that learns and adapts.
Sixth sense from Second Sight
For buildings that are not compatible with BMS, the company offers Second Sight. As a stand-alone building performance monitoring system, Second Sight utilises wireless sensors to track data.
“Second Sight is essentially all the benefit of a BMS, without the complex control elements or requiring extensive engineering,” Miss Hilton said. “What it does do, is provide people with remote access that they wouldn’t have before and provide actionable insights to optimise the operation of the space.”
“It allows the owner the means to monitor how their building is performing,” Mr Dolley added. “Through the simple intuitive dashboards, the client can identify a problem and make the necessary judgement call.
“It could also be used as a secondary monitoring system to ensure a building’s primary BMS is performing efficiently.”
Thanks to its use of wireless sensors and IoT (Internet of Things) gateway, Second Sight can be moved easily to monitor different areas or buildings; and being cloud-based, the product can also be connected to an existing BMS and extended to additional buildings within the vicinity.
Staying in control
Maintaining its user-friendly status, SAUTER has developed the SAUTER Smart Vision app to allow for quick and easy adjustments onthe-go. Developed with the wellbeing of the building’s occupants in mind, the app is updated on a regular basis to incorporate clients' unique requirements.
“The IoT protocol MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is widely used by the industry,” Mr Dolley explained. “Smart connectivity provides the opportunity to collect
feedback directly from the best data source there is; the people. Rather than installing screens everywhere – which would have a negative impact on the environment – the obvious solution is to utilise the tools users already have: their phones.
“The app enables us to get instant feedback when there is a problem. For example, if an area is too hot or too cold, the user can choose from a selection of emojis to inform us of this concern. Utilising the monitoring technology in that space, the system can then make automatic adjustments where necessary.”
With a fully integrated BMS, not only can customers easily monitor figures that save time, money and reduce carbon emissions, but they can also perform other tasks, such as booking meeting rooms.
“Additional features such as smart washrooms and office space cleaning optimisation are continually being added,” Mr Dolley said. “Often cleaners will work through areas
Leading by example:
Last year, Sauter UK was awarded the EcoVadis Silver Medal for its efforts in sustainability. This year, the company is going for Gold.
Running off 100% renewable energy, SAUTER UK’s headquarters has its own array of solar panels that were installed in 2017 and generate part of the company's energy requirement.
that haven’t been used, which is detrimental to the environment and an unnecessary cost The app can be used to highlight areas that don’t require cleaning as well as those areas that may require extra attention.”
Continuous R&D
Through continuous research and development, SAUTER has ensured its products stand the test of time. Now, looking to the
future, the company is focused on developing solutions for emerging requests.
“People are now looking for solutions that not only enhance the building’s performance, but their own activities,” said Mr Dolley. “For example, when sending an invite to a meeting, why not book the room, provide the guest with directions, and give them access to the building as well as the room controls, whilst still maintaining the security of the building, all from one action. Although a simple concept, behind the scenes it’s all about the connectivity between the various system packages within the building.
“There is a number of variables when considering a smart building: firstly the connectivity, followed closely by the purpose and functionality between the various building packages. For the latter, there is the need to decipher the best solution, for example, a location finder could be achieved using either QR code or iBeacon technologies, with user interaction via an APP or smart screens.
“That is where the development is today: It’s not always the product, but the solution and how it is to be delivered.”
Other investments ongoing at SAUTER include the smart actuator and Smart Sensor, a multi-sensor with Bluetooth and IoT connectivity via MQTT. Both products will be available to view on the company’s stand at the Smart Buildings Show in October.
When looking back over the progression within the industry, Mr Dolley was very reflective on the journey: “What I enjoy most about my job is the challenge. The industry has progressed incredibly over the last
decade with the advancement of Smart Connectivity, and now the inclusion of AI on the horizon. The foreseeable challenge is incorporating the latest modern technologies to meet the clients’ objectives, without over-complicating the delivered solution.”
“I suppose for me, the opportunity to make a difference for businesses is really a job highlight,” Miss Hilton concluded. “It’s going on that journey with someone who may not know how to reduce their energy consumption, and working with them to find the best solution and creating a lasting relationship .” n
