Text mode
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Data is arranged in columns
and rows, and includes the point description,
the value returned from the building
maintenance software and the point
status and priority. The points that are being
scanned are indicated by a X, the point currently
being read is highlighted. Points that can
have their values changed are underlined.
Information displayed on the top panels includes
the commands sent to, and the responses from,
the building maintenance software.
Operations on Points
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Click to enlarge ]
The building maintenance software provides facilities
for changing points
which are designated as setpoints
- these actions are
available by right clicking
on a point, as follows:-
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change setpoint or state |
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monitor a point (continual reading of
one point) |
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release a point (priority set to None) |
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fix a point (priority set to Operator) |
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scan from here (start scanning from
the current point) |
For points which cannot be
adjusted only the monitoring and scan from
here options are available.
The Enable All button selects all
points on the screen for inclusion in the
scanning process. (indicated by a X on the
left of the description). Individual points
can be selected, or deselected, simply by
clicking on the point description. When the
points scanned are changed, the option is
given to save the current settings so that
when the screen is used again, the same points
are automatically selected.
Graphics
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The graphic facility allows
data to be displayed on a bitmap representation
of a particular system. As for the text mode,
right clicking on a point provides access
to the menu for changing setpoints etc. All
points on a graphic are scanned.
The buttons on the right
hand side of the graphic provide direct links
to other graphics.
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BMS Direct's building maintenance
software Communicates
via modem or serial port. Modem support
via standard Windows™ TAPI interface.
The building maintenance software settings
are saved to Windows™ registry
for the individual site and modem used.
(Suitable user rights required to allow
registry to be modified.) |
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Points for text
and graphics mode are saved in an Excel
spreadsheet with individual worksheets
for each text or graphic list - easily
modified by the user. Data accessible
from with the building maintenance
software. |
TEXT
MODE using predefined lists
of points with descriptive names (up
to 40 characters) which clearly identify
the point details, the points are
scanned sequentially returning the
data, point status and priority. |
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Data is
returned in a grid format along
with the point status and point
priority. |
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Up to 110
points can be included on each
screen, with the points being
scanned able to be adjusted
dynamically simply by checking
a box adjacent to the point
- ideal for trouble shooting
and commissioning. The
building maintenance software
allows you to scan
only the points you require. |
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Popup menu
allows changing of setpoints,
monitoring of an individual
point, fixing or releasing of
points and changing of scan
start point. (Note - not all
commands are available for TEC
points.) |
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Copy to
clipboard supported, allowing
all data on the screen to be
copied to any program which
supports graphics files. |
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On screen
buttons provide quick access
to other text mode screens. |
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One click
access to bitmaps available
while scanning points - these
can be used to display system
details or additional information.
(e.g. drawings or schematics
can be hidden behind the data
screen, allowing quick reference
to actual layouts, schematics,
or any other relevant details) |
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GRAPHICS
MODE, again using predefined
lists of points, with the data being
displayed on a graphic which can be
a schematic, building layout, or a pictorial
representation of the particular system. |
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Popup menu
allows changing of setpoints,
monitoring of an individual point,
fixing or releasing of points
and changing of scan start point. |
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Copy to clipboard
supported, allowing all data on
the screen to be copied to any
program which supports graphics
files (Word, Paint etc.) |
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On screen
buttons provide quick access to
other graphics. |
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Communications
via modem or serial port. Modem
support via standard Windows™
TAPI interface. Settings saved
to Windows™ registry for
the individual site and modem
used. (Suitable user rights required
to allow registry to be modified.) |
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Points for
text and graphics mode saved in
an Excel™ spreadsheet - individual
worksheets for each text or graphic
list - easily modified by the
user. Data accessible from with
the program. |
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What Must Be Supplied
By The User
To
allow the system to be set up
the following is required:- |
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a file containing a complete list
of points for the site (standard
text format) |
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details of the system, with the
descriptors to be used for each
point on a text screen |
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details of the menu descriptions
to be used for each text and graphic
screen |
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user name and password for the
BMS |
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modem access to the site for initial
testing and confirmation of operation
(preferred). |
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the appropriate access level to
allow setpoints etc. to be changed. |
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What This Software
Does Not Do
It does not purport
to be a replacement for Siemens Insight™
software available for these systems,
however it vastly improves access if
this software is not available, as compared
to standard terminal mode, or where
a direct connection to a cabinet is
required for maintenance or commissioning
purposes. (The software has been developed
by an air conditioning contractor involved
with commissioning, maintenance and
the on going operation of systems, in
order to provide a portable, low overhead
system, that can be used by any user
with appropriate access.)
Apart from using terminal
mode, it does not provide support for
scheduling, backing up or restoring
software in cabinets and the like.
The software has been
tested at speeds up to 38400 baud and
provides reliable operation on most
occasions. A timeout facility is provided
to recover from situations where the
software loses synchronisation with
the BMS, however it must be appreciated
that the time taken to respond to commands
varies considerably on Apogee and 600
systems - this is a function of the
traffic on the system.
While the software
has been used extensively it is inevitable
that there will be problems found when
the software is used in circumstances
which have not been encountered to date.
Every endeavour will be made to rectify
these problems - if this cannot be done
within a reasonable time a full refund
will be provided on receipt of an undertaking
that the software will not be used again
on the site in question. (All refunds
are at the discretion of the vendor.)
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