What is AutomatedBuildings.com?
Since 1999, AutomatedBuildings.com has been the building automation industry’s free, trusted resource for news, technical insights, and thought leadership. Ken and Jane Sinclair founded the platform as a dynamic, industry-edited library where professionals share ideas, case studies, and innovations to advance smart buildings, IoT, HVAC controls, and energy management.
It relies on the support of long-term partnerships with events like AHR, as well as paid and in-kind sponsorships with a range of companies, organizations, and industry associations that support AutomatedBuildings.com’s mission and goals. Please check out our Sponsors page to give them some love or consider sponsoring AutomatedBuildings.com to ensure we can continue our work.
sponsors, editors, and guest writers—post directly without delays. Unlike traditional ads, sponsors curate their content (articles, videos, events) in a nonintrusive, contextual format. The legacy site (1999–2022) remains archived as a searchable resource
Content is collaboratively curated by:
- Sponsors: Post directly about their innovations, events, and news.
- Contributing Editors: Industry experts who provide technical articles and analysis.
- AutomatedBuildings.com editorial board reviews content. This board ensures topics are relevant to the BAS industry and share thought leadership. AutomatedBuildings
All posts are timestamped and transparently sourced.
Industry Partners and Sponsors:
After 25 years, AutomatedBuildings.com remains a free resource for all and is independently owned. It relies on the support of long-term partnerships with events like AHR and paid and in-kind sponsorships with a range of companies, organizations, and industry associations that support our mission and goals. Please check out our Sponsors page to give them some love or consider sponsoring AutomatedBuildings.com to ensure we can continue our work.
Our broader community:
A broad community of technology enthusiasts, engineers, architects, facility managers, and professionals involved in designing, implementing, and managing automated building systems (starting in building controls) helped build the early years of AutomatedBuildings.com.
This community provides feedback, shares their experiences, and contributes to the ongoing dialogue surrounding smart buildings and automated systems on social media and IRL at many educational events we provide in partnership with significant conferences.
The AutomatedBuildings.com “library” has every article written in the last 25 years, and all content is searchable by keyword and author. In 2024, it will be more complex, with information now also delivered in video, via podcasting, and across different social media platforms. We will continue to try and build out this library for future generations by including as much as we can that is relevant to our industry (sorry, no cat videos).
Content & Collaboration
What topics does AB 2.0 cover?
- Building Automation Systems (BAS)
- IoT, AI, and intelligent building integration
- Energy efficiency and decarbonization
- Protocols like BACnet, Modbus, and LonWorks
- Cybersecurity for operational technology (OT)
- Contextual storytelling (explaining industry value beyond technical jargon)
Can I contribute content?
Please us on Social Media: Share discussions using #AutomatedBuildings; significant threads may be featured. Or share your content on our community, AutomatedBuildings.com Online Magazine Forum.
or
Become a Sponsor to post content and product info on our platform. Sponsors: Post directly to your dedicated page and links can be used for building your own business library (contact us sponsor@automatedbuildings.com
Contributing Editors are currently By invitation only
Content Values
Prioritize Value and Relevance: Content should provide valuable insights, practical information, and actionable advice for the BAS industry. Focus on industry trends, best practices, case studies, technical tutorials, and product reviews that offer genuine value.
Maintain Objectivity and Accuracy: Content should be factual, unbiased, and well-researched. Avoid overly promotional language and ensure credible sources support all claims.
Write for the Audience: Tailor content to the needs and interests of building automation professionals. Use clear, concise language and avoid jargon that may not be familiar to all readers
- Sponsors: Post directly to your dedicated page (contact us sponsor@automatedbuildings.com
6. How often is new content posted?
Daily! AB 2.0 operates in near real-time, with sponsors and editors posting as news breaks—there are no monthly delays.
Sponsorship & Industry Support
7. How does sponsorship work?
Sponsors are the backbone of AB 2.0’s ad-free, industry-driven model:
- Control Your Page: Post articles, videos, event announcements, or product updates.
- Contextual Integration: Content and related technical discussions (no disruptive ads) appear.
- Social Media Synergy: Link to your newsletters, blogs, or LinkedIn/X /X posts.
Interested? Email sponsors@automatedbuildings.com to celebrate your support!
8. Why sponsor instead of advertise?
Traditional ads interrupt; sponsorship educates. Your posts:
- Build trust by aligning with AB’s editorial standards.
- Reach a targeted audience of 50,000+ monthly professionals.
- They are archived in our searchable library, extending their lifespan.
9. How can my company become a sponsor?
Contact us to discuss:
- Event Promotion: Share webinars, trade shows, or whitepapers.
- Collaborative Opportunities: Co-create content with editors.
Technical & Historical Insights
10. What’s Ken Sinclair’s background?
With 50+ years in building automation, Ken:
- Pioneered DDC systems at the University of Alberta (1970s).
- Founded Sinclair Energy Services, optimizing energy use in 22M+ sq. ft. of facilities.
- Co-created AutomatedBuildings.com in 1999 to be an independent online source of industry knowledge.
Read Ken’s full story here.
11. Where can I access legacy content?
Community & Values
12. How does AB 2.0 foster industry connections?
- Virtual Communities of Practice (VCOPs): Share ideas beyond technical silos.
- Social Media Bridges: Discussions start on AB 2.0, then expand to LinkedIn/X.
- Operator Networks: Rekindling Ken’s High-Performance Building Operator’s Course ethos.
13. What’s the mission?
To “Context Our Value”—highlighting the why behind smart buildings, not just the how.
Support & Contact
14. How can I support AB 2.0?
- Become a Sponsor: Amplify your voice while sustaining free access for all.
- Share Content: Tell colleagues or submit feedback to editor@automatedbuildings.com.
- Follow Us: LinkedIn | X/Twitter | Newsletter.
15. Who do I contact for issues?
- Technical Support: support@automatedbuildings.com
- Editorial Questions: editor@automatedbuildings.com
- Sponsorship Inquiries: sponsors@automatedbuildings.com
Join us in shaping the future of building automation—one post at a time.
“The work of many, not just a few.” — Ken & Jane Sinclair
Join our online LinkedIn group, AutomatedBuildings.com Online Magazine Forum, with over 4800 others online since 2010. As a group member, post your message and interact with others. This is an industry sandbox for all to play and introduce themselves, their products, and their online events in their own words. This gives our editors and the industry a chance to meet the know and unknown.
Everyone posts everywhere, and our sponsors’ summary of those links is a powerful message to the industry. We are moving from longer articles to shorter lists/maps of what you posted online. Social media is fantastic, but quickly gets lost in time.
Follow me on LinkedIn with almost 24000 others
Follow me https://twitter.com/Ken_Sinclair
Over seven years of graphical links https://www.pinterest.ca/kens0684/_created/
