A Building Management System, or bms, has long been the backbone of commercial building control. Traditionally used to manage HVAC, lighting and plant operation, a bms provides operational control but does not always deliver the detailed energy insight required for today’s sustainability demands.
Where an EMS Adds Value
This is where a modern energy management system adds value. While a bms focuses on control, an energy management system focuses on analysis, cost reduction and carbon performance. When used together, they create a powerful ecosystem for managing buildings efficiently.
Operational vs Analytical
A bms typically handles real-time automation such as switching equipment on or off, maintaining temperature or managing ventilation. However, it often lacks granular energy data and cannot easily benchmark performance over time. An energy management system solves this by collecting consumption data from CTs, data loggers, smart meter monitoring and LoRaWAN sensors.
Trend Analysis
Energy management systems provide trend analysis, reporting dashboards, anomaly detection and long-term performance insights. They allow businesses to evaluate the effectiveness of controlled strategies, validate energy-saving measures and align operations with carbon reduction goals.
Multi-Site Benefits
For organisations with multiple sites, an energy management system becomes even more valuable. While each building may have its own bms, the energy management system provides a centralised platform for comparing performance across the entire estate.
Integration
The best results come from integrating the two. A bms ensures equipment is controlled efficiently, while the energy management system ensures the strategy is working and identifies further opportunities for improvement.
Conclusion
As energy prices remain volatile and sustainability expectations rise, businesses need both operational control and analytical insight. By combining a bms with a robust energy management system, organisations achieve a level of visibility and optimisation that neither system can achieve alone.