McMillan:  The BACnet International community is a dynamic, global group of companies and individuals that continues to grow and evolve.  BACnet International was created through the consolidation of BACnet Interest Group North America (BIG-NA) and the BACnet Manufacturers Association (BMA) in 2006. The far-sighted leaders of those organizations recognized that both users and suppliers have a strong interest in a vibrant BACnet market based on interoperable products.  To date, ASHRAE has issued over 600 BACnet Vendor IDs and BACnet International has over 80 member companies that are a “who’s who” of global controls manufacturers.  BACnet International also has an individual member community in excess of 7,000 professionals.

McMillan:  Product testing is the bedrock on which interoperability is built so the BACnet Test Lab has been a clear focus of BACnet International from the beginning.  However, our goal of ensuring users get maximum value from BACnet requires a lot more.  That is why BACnet International also serves as an information resource and a growing focal point for BACnet education.   

We actively disseminate the latest information about BACnet technology, trends, projects and products through eZine and print publications.  We produce three publications to meet the various needs of our growing community. The “BACnet International Journal” for general BACnet information, stories and activities; “Foundations” which is a technical, educational publication and; “Cornerstones” which serves as a monthly touchstone to keep our community appraised of the latest news.   We also promote the use of BACnet to consulting engineers, end users of building automation equipment and the building automation community at large. Our latest educational event was incorporated in NMFT Vegas in October 2013 and we will offer additional educations sessions at the AHR ASHRAE conference in January, 2014.  To recognize the successful BACnet implementations and community leaders, we annually announce our “Leader of the Pack” awards. 

McMillan:  The BTL Mark is a visual indicator that a product has successfully completed the BTL-designated tests.  The BTL listing is an online compilation of products which have been awarded a BTL Mark.

McMillan:  Published, continuously refined, non-proprietary, tested standards are critical to improving the bid process and integration effort by mitigating integration uncertainty. The facility manager wins, the building owner wins, and the industry as a whole, wins.

McMillan:  It certainly looks that way to me.  The coming together of new building technologies will require more integrated systems and the only way to achieve that is with broader and more effective Connection Communities that engage the whole building community including owners, architects, engineers, facility managers, suppliers and building occupants.