Choosing The Right Integrator For Building Automation  May 16,
2003 Building owners and managers are confronted with a host of
control industry terms, titles, and technologies that tend to
confuse more than clarify. The challenge for today’s facility
professionals when it comes to installing a building automation
system (BAS) is to understand the difference between system
integrators and product integrators when implementing a given
project. A key success factor is defining not only their
changing roles and responsibilities, but also the desired
outcomes and goals. This article examines the prevailing
definitions and responsibilities of each type of integrator,
offers a novel approach to system integration, and sets
realistic expectations for the owner in terms of benefits,
outcomes, and overall values.  Most building owners and facility
professionals today are unclear over the differences between a
product integrator, a network integrator, and a system
integrator. While all of these players can provide quali