Building Automation Systems BAS Expertise

Open Building Management Systems (BMS) for HVAC, Lighting, Energy Management and more.

Atlas OT delivers advanced building automation systems (BAS) that unify HVAC, lighting, air quality, power, and environmental monitoring into one intelligent, operator-friendly platform. Unlike traditional building automation vendors, we apply industrial-grade integration practices to ensure higher reliability, better documentation, and full system transparency—without locking you into proprietary ecosystems.

Whether you're managing a cleanroom, data center, laboratory, or high-performance industrial facility, Atlas OT provides open-architecture BAS solutions that scale, integrate, and empower.

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Control System Capabilities

Our team has experience as facility owners, integrators, engineers and field technicians.

Atlas can offer traditional BAS systems that are configurable, or industrial rated that are programmable to provide the proper flexibility for your unique situation.

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Open System Architecture

We develop BAS layouts from scratch or reverse-engineer legacy systems with missing documentation.

Our designs prioritize serviceability, integration, and security, and are backed by clean, traceable schematics and network maps.

Network Cybersecurity

We implement segmented, secure OT networks using industrial-grade switches, VPNs, and firewalls. Our systems are hardened against outside threats while remaining fully accessible to your authorized users.

Open Protocol Integration

We support Modbus, BACnet/IP, MSTP, OPC UA, MQTT, and other non-proprietary protocol.

Seamless integration of multiple vendor systems and enabling future expansion without costly licenses or vendor dependencies.

Energy Monitoring and Dashboards

Dealing with regulation to monitor and reduce your energy usage? Atlas OT can integrate energy monitoring into your BAS and provide Executive Dashboards for real-time monitoring and reporting of power consumption.

Intelligent Visualization

Design your Operator Interface to actually be useful and practical.

We deploy logical layouts useful for new hires and experienced techs, easy navigation and mobile ready deployments with historical trends, event logs, and alarm history.

Commissioning Support

Our team works directly with General Contractors, Mechanical Contractors, Electrical Contractors, Engineering Firms and Owners to ensure commissioning goes smoothly

And we support your assets for years to come!

Building Management System Experts

Our System Agnostic approach helps municipalities, private owners, industrial and mission critical alike across all brands and platforms keep their facilities compliant and operating optimally.

Cross - Industry Experience

Data Centers & Mission Critical Infrastructure

Data centers depend on tightly controlled cooling and power environments. Uptime is non-negotiable, but legacy BAS platforms often lack redundancy, granular visibility, or cybersecurity compliance. Coordination between chillers, CRAC units, and UPS systems can be inconsistent.

Redundant BAS architectures with failover logic
Integration of CRACs, chillers, air economizers, and PDUs
Real-time thermal mapping and SCADA dashboards
Cybersecure OT network segmentation and role-based access
Alarm escalation and fault analytics for predictive response

Advanced Manufacturing

Facilities processing lithium-ion batteries or chemical components operate under hazardous conditions, often with volatile off-gassing and specialized HVAC zones. Rapid growth or frequent layout changes can also make automation planning difficult.

Multi-zone air quality and toxic gas sensor integration
Custom control panels for HVAC, scrubbers, dust collection, etc.
SCADA-based zone monitoring and alarm rationalization
PLC integration with hazardous area-rated equipment (C1D1/C1D2)
Data historians for traceability and regulatory compliance

Industrial Warehousing & Logistics Centers

Large distribution centers are energy-intensive, and many struggle to coordinate HVAC, lighting, and emergency systems across multiple bays and zones. These buildings are often expanded or retrofitted, leaving a patchwork of incompatible automation systems.

Unified BAS dashboards for HVAC, lighting, and VFD systems
Energy usage trending and demand response control
Modbus/BACnet integration with rooftop units, dampers, and air curtains
Real-time fault detection and remote alarm access
Secure remote connectivity for facility operators and IT teams

Commercial Offices & Mixed-Use Buildings

Mixed-use and office spaces require flexible control for multiple tenant zones, often managed by a small in-house facilities team. Without centralized BAS, these teams lack visibility into energy use, comfort complaints, or equipment failures until it’s too late.

Zonal scheduling and control with intuitive web-based interfaces
Alarm notifications via SMS/email to maintenance teams
Smart lighting and HVAC control tied to occupancy sensors
Energy dashboarding for tenant billing or sustainability reporting
BAS design that allows for tenant turnover or expansion

Cleanrooms & Life Sciences Facilities

Cleanrooms used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotech, or blood processing require highly controlled environments. Maintaining tight tolerances for temperature, humidity, pressure, and air change rates is critical—not just for product integrity, but also for regulatory compliance under GxP, ISO, or FDA guidelines. Many legacy systems lack real-time visibility or audit trails, making validation and documentation a struggle.

Environmental monitoring and alerting (temperature, pressure, RH, ACH)

FFU, AHU, exhaust, and HEPA filter integration into SCADA

Audit logging and change tracking for validation

Integration with GMP-compliant data historians (e.g., SQL, cloud)

Wireless balancing tools to reduce ceiling tile access during commissioning

Higher Education

University campuses often consist of aging buildings with siloed HVAC controls, outdated BAS hardware, and limited central visibility. Energy efficiency mandates and sustainability goals also add pressure to modernize controls without disrupting learning or research.

BAS modernization with open-protocol integration (BACnet, Modbus)
Consolidation of disparate systems into centralized dashboards
Energy optimization routines and occupancy-based control logic
Secure IT handoffs and remote support readiness
Commissioning support for LEED or net-zero targets

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are common industry terms for building automation?

BAS - Building Automation System - Core term for general building automation services
BMS- Building Management System - European preferred term; use interchangeably with BAS
EMS- Energy Management System - Often used with HVAC and lighting integration
JACE- Java Application Control Engine - Refers to Niagara-based controllers by Tridium, widely searched
Niagara Framework - Popular open BAS platform Include when marketing interoperability and open protocol capabilities
SCADA - Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition - Useful when targeting crossover with industrial systems
DDC - Direct Digital Control - Legacy term for BAS Controllers
HVAC - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning - System for climate control in buildings
BACnet - Building Automation and Control Network Protocol—important for integration and interoperability
MSTP - Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol - a long standing protocol using serial communications
Modbus TCP- Open communication protocol for automation using Internet Protocol
OPC UA - Unified Architecture for control systems - Important for modern interoperability
VAV - Variable Air Volume - HVAC-related term—searches tied to air handler and ductwork control
AHU - Air Handling Unit - Key component in HVAC/BAS searches
FFU - Fan Filter Unit - Common in cleanrooms and life sciences facilities

What BAS Platforms does Atlas OT utilize?

Atlas works with open system architectures and major brands. In some cases, for deployments with industrial or Manfacturing, we may use multiple subsystems integrated into one visualization software. Some systems we use include those from Siemens, Schneider Electric, AVEVA, Phoenix Contact and more!

What are open protocol alternatives to Metasys or SmartStruxure?

If you’re looking to move away from vendor-locked systems like Johnson Controls Metasys or Schneider’s SmartStruxure, we recommend migrating to open-protocol platforms like Niagara 4, Ignition, or AVEVA System Platform. These solutions support multi-vendor hardware, are license-flexible, and reduce future integration barriers. Atlas OT helps clients transition by mapping existing control points, rebuilding sequences of operation, and providing documentation to maintain system ownership.

What is BMS vs VAS difference?

While often used interchangeably, BAS (Building Automation System) typically refers to the control layer—automation of HVAC, lighting, and utility systems—while BMS (Building Management System) is broader and includes monitoring, analytics, and integration with enterprise-level systems like ERP or CMMS. Think of BAS as the “engine” and BMS as the “dashboard.” Atlas OT designs BAS systems with scalable architecture that can feed into or become part of a larger BMS environment.

How can I access my BAS remotely and securely?

Remote access to your Building Automation System can be securely enabled using VPN technology, firewall segmentation, and encrypted user authentication. At Atlas OT, we often deploy remote access using TosiBox or industrial VPN routers with two-factor authentication. This allows facilities teams, IT staff, or authorized vendors to log in remotely while maintaining strict cybersecurity best practices. We never recommend opening ports to the public internet without protections.

What is an ASHRAE-compliant building control system?

An ASHRAE-compliant BAS meets guidelines defined by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers—such as Standard 135 (BACnet) for interoperability or Standard 90.1 for energy efficiency. Atlas OT ensures your automation system meets relevant ASHRAE standards through proper control logic, energy-saving strategies (like demand ventilation or VAV scheduling), and integration of certified BACnet devices where applicable.

How can I integrate HVAC, lighting, and security under one BAS?

With an open-protocol BAS like Niagara 4 or Ignition, it’s entirely possible to consolidate HVAC, lighting, and security systems into a single interface. Atlas OT does this by integrating various subsystems using BACnet/IP, Modbus TCP, or OPC UA, and then building a unified SCADA or HMI dashboard for operators. This approach improves situational awareness, streamlines maintenance, and reduces software licensing overhead by avoiding multiple vendor-specific platforms.

What is a BAS system retrofit and when should it be considered?

A BAS retrofit involves replacing or upgrading outdated building automation components—such as obsolete controllers, proprietary software, or unsupported sensors—with modern equivalents. This is often necessary when the existing system becomes costly to maintain, lacks cybersecurity features, or cannot integrate with new equipment. Atlas OT performs BAS retrofits that preserve as much existing infrastructure as possible, while introducing open, scalable architecture that supports modern visualization, remote access, and future expansion.

Building Automation Systems BAS Expertise

Open Building Management Systems (BMS) for HVAC, Lighting, Energy Management and more.