What Does Building Monitoring System Software Monitor?

Building Management System (BMS) monitoring software centralizes data from multiple building systems on a single interface, allowing operators to monitor equipment status, operating parameters, and alarms. The specific data displayed depends on the field devices, controllers, and the scope of systems integrated into the BMS.

How Is Data Transmitted to Building Management System Monitoring Software?

For centralized monitoring, the software needs to receive data from connected devices and building systems. The process can be illustrated as follows:

Sensors/Devices → DDC/PLC/Controller → Communication Network → BMS Software → Operator

At the field level, sensors collect parameters such as temperature, humidity, CO₂, pressure, or equipment status. This data is transmitted to the corresponding DDC, PLC, or controller for processing according to the configured control logic.

Through the communication infrastructure, the required data is then transmitted to the BMS software. The information is organized and visualized so that operators can monitor system conditions through a centralized interface instead of checking each device individually.

In addition to measurement data, the system can transmit other information such as ON/OFF status, setpoints, operating modes, and alarms. The specific data available in the software depends on the BMS design and the integration capabilities of each device.

What Can Building Management System Monitoring Software Monitor?

Building monitoring software can receive data from various building systems. However, the actual monitoring scope depends on the BMS configuration of each project.

HVAC Systems

HVAC systems typically include numerous devices and data points that need to be monitored. Depending on the configuration, the software can display:

• Temperature and humidity.

• CO₂ concentration.

• AHU, FCU, and fan status.

• Valve and damper status.

• Temperature setpoints.

• Operating modes.

• Equipment operating or fault status.

For example, temperature sensors send data to the DDC, allowing the BMS software to display operating conditions for technical staff.

When HVAC equipment is fully integrated, operators can monitor multiple parameters and equipment statuses from the same system instead of manually checking each AHU, FCU, or controller.

Electrical and Energy Systems

For electrical systems, data from power meters and related devices can be transmitted to the software for monitoring.

Depending on the type of metering device, monitored parameters may include:

• Voltage.

• Current.

• Power.

• Energy consumption.

• Electrical equipment status.

• Other electrical parameters supported by the device.

Data stored over time can also be used to monitor energy consumption trends. This gives the operations team additional information to identify areas, systems, or periods with notable electricity consumption.

Water Supply and Drainage Systems

Measuring devices and controllers in water supply and drainage systems can also be connected to the BMS to provide operating data.

Monitored information may include:

• Water tank levels.

• Pump start/stop status.

• Pump fault status.

• Pipeline pressure.

• Water flow when appropriate measuring devices are available.

• Water-level-related alarms.

For example, when the water level reaches a configured threshold, the controller can execute the pump control logic while simultaneously updating the status in the software.

Lighting Systems

When a lighting system is integrated with the BMS or a compatible control platform, the software can support status monitoring and management by area.

Available information may include:

• ON/OFF status.

• Operating schedules.

• Status by area or lighting group.

• Control commands based on schedules or scenarios.

Area-based management makes it easier for operators to identify lighting conditions across different spaces within the building.

Other Building Systems

In addition to HVAC, electrical, water, and lighting systems, a BMS can be designed to exchange data with other building systems when suitable integration methods are supported.

Trí Việt Controls currently describes its BMS software solutions as capable of integrating systems such as HVAC, security camera systems, Access Control, fire alarm systems and other building systems. The specific monitoring and control scope still depends on the architecture, communication protocols, and requirements of each project.

How Does Building Monitoring Software Display Operational Data?

Collecting data is only one part of the system. To support building operations, information needs to be organized and presented in a way that allows technical staff to quickly identify the status of building systems and equipment.

Graphical Interface

A graphical interface can represent system diagrams, building areas, or individual equipment.

Instead of displaying only a list of separate values, the software can show equipment status directly on the system diagram. This allows operators to quickly determine whether equipment is running, stopped, or generating an alarm.

The design of the interface depends on the software platform and project configuration.

Dashboards and Real-Time Data

Dashboards consolidate important information on a single screen or group of screens.

For example, a dashboard may display:

• Status of major systems.

• Environmental parameters.

• Equipment currently operating.

• Active alarms.

• Energy data.

The data displayed on the dashboard should be selected according to operator requirements rather than placing every available data point on the same interface.

Trend Charts

Parameters stored over time can be displayed as trend charts.

For example, operators can view changes in temperature within an area by hour or by day. Similarly, energy consumption data can be compared across different periods to identify changes in consumption levels.

Trend charts transform real-time data into information that can be monitored and analyzed over longer periods.

Operating History

In addition to current values, BMS software can store selected operating data according to the system configuration.

Historical data allows operators to review system conditions at previous points in time, compare them with alarms, or analyze changes in a parameter when investigating the cause of a problem.

How Does Building Monitoring Software Handle Alarms and Faults?

Another important function of Building Management System monitoring software is to centralize alarms from connected devices and systems.

The basic alarm handling process can be described as:

Abnormal Condition Detected → Alarm Generated → Displayed on Software → Acknowledged/Handled → History Stored

Alarms When Parameters Exceed Thresholds

A data point can be configured with specific limits. When a measured value exceeds the defined threshold, the system can generate an alarm for operators to investigate.

For example, the temperature in an area may rise above a configured limit, or a pressure parameter may fall outside the required operating range.

Equipment Status Alarms

The BMS can also receive fault or abnormal status information from equipment and controllers.

Depending on the system, the interface can indicate which equipment has generated an alarm, its related location, and the time at which the event occurred.

Alarm History Management

Events and alarms can be stored for future review. This data helps the technical team determine:

• When the alarm occurred.

• Which equipment or system was involved.

• The status of the alarm.

• Other events that occurred during the same period.

When alarm history is combined with trend charts, operators have additional data available to analyze the causes of certain system issues.

How Does Software Data Support Building Operations?

Data from the Access Control system can also be integrated to support centralized building management and security monitoring.

- Equipment status monitoring: Operators can check the status of multiple devices through a centralized interface, reducing the need for manual inspections in individual areas.

- Abnormal condition detection: Alarms and real-time data help technical teams identify when parameters or equipment operate outside configured conditions.

- Trend monitoring: Historical data allows changes in operating parameters to be compared by hour, day, or other time periods.

- Operational performance assessment: Trend data and operating history can provide information for evaluating how equipment or systems are operating.

- Energy monitoring: When meters and measuring devices are integrated, consumption data can be centralized to monitor energy usage.

- Maintenance support: Alarm history, equipment status, and operating data provide additional information for technical teams when inspecting and maintaining systems.

Key Considerations When Implementing Building Management System Monitoring Software

The effectiveness of monitoring software depends heavily on how the monitoring scope is defined during the design stage. Integrating excessive amounts of unnecessary data can make the interface more complex without providing additional operational value.

Identify the Systems That Need to Be Monitored

The first step is to determine which systems—such as HVAC, electrical, water, lighting, or other building systems—need to be integrated.

The monitoring scope should be based on actual management requirements, device connectivity, and the building's BMS architecture.

Identify the Data Points to Be Collected

After identifying the systems, a list of required data points should be established.

For an AHU, for example, data points may include temperature, fan status, valve status, setpoints, and alarms. For a power meter, required points may include voltage, current, power, and energy consumption.

Clearly defining the point list helps ensure that the system focuses on data that is genuinely required for monitoring and control.

Check Connectivity and Communication Protocols

Field devices, controllers, and software must have compatible methods for exchanging data.

BMS systems may use protocols such as BACnet or Modbus, depending on the architecture and connected devices. Therefore, protocol compatibility should be checked before system integration is implemented.

Design the Interface According to Operational Requirements

The interface should be organized by system, area, or function so that operators can easily locate the information they need.

Important parameters should be prioritized, while more detailed technical data can be placed on dedicated screens. This hierarchy helps prevent individual screens from becoming overloaded with information that is difficult to monitor.

Building Management System Monitoring Software Solutions at Tri Viet Controls

Trí Việt Controls provides BMS software solutions for monitoring and managing building systems. Its current portfolio includes platforms and software such as BCPro System Software, ADS Lite-A, and ADS Lite-E, along with solutions within the Johnson Controls BMS ecosystem.

The selection of Building Management System monitoring software should be based on building size, the number of data points, systems requiring integration, communication protocols, and the requirements of the operations team. For projects involving multiple building systems, the software architecture should also take future scalability into consideration.

Instead of selecting software based solely on the number of available features, businesses should clearly identify the data that needs to be monitored, required control functions, alarm requirements, and integration methods for the existing infrastructure.

Contact Trí Việt Controls for consultation on Building Management System monitoring software suitable for your BMS configuration and the management and operational requirements of your building.