Harnessing the IT explosion

Due to the 'explosion' of computers and devices attached to the Internet we're beginning to run out of IP addresses. In some countries, that fact alone will turn into a serious problem as early as 2004. To solve the problem, IP Version 6 offers the equivalent of one million networked devices for every person on the planet. Thus even the smallest item will have a unique address and, linked wirelessly, almost anything and everything can be addressed, connected and accounted for.

Indeed, mobile telephone and wireless technologies continue to develop apace. Already, we are able to track stolen cars and lost children with special GSM devices. Similar services will complement access, asset and stock control. Employees will authenticate themselves by pressing a thumb to a fingerprint reader built into their mobile phone. In turn, that phone will tell the building exactly where the employee is. Look out for low cost, powerful wireless technologies such as WiFi, GPRS, UMTS, Bluetooth, ZigBee and SPOT from Microsoft to cover specific requirements.

With falling connectivity costs, everyone and everything of value to the organisation may be tracked and accounted for at any time. Stock counts and audits of capital goods and components will now be continuous instead of quarterly or yearly. Discrepancies will be signalled immediately for investigation.

It's also certain that Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) technology, including smart tags, will be ubiquitous in the future. Very cheap wireless chips that use little or no power will be installed during the manufacture of all items of value that are used in the workplace. Each will have its own unique IPV6 address for total accountability.

The building of tomorrow will be able to track and locate all the elements within it. If the Chairman loses his best fountain pen, the building will tell him where to look. And, because articles and people can be tracked using RFID, a portable computer leaving the building without its owner is quickly flagged.

Lowering communication costs
Voice-over-IP (VoIP) will penetrate most organisations over the next five years. This puts the telephone system onto the buildings' computer network and dramatically lowers communication costs. The flexibility of VoIP will permit easy organisational restructuring, redeployment and changes in procedures. Outside of the building, mobile phones will still connect through public operators. However, inside the organisation they will link to the corporate network. Public Address (PA) announcements will be distributed this way.

In case of a fire, recorded instructions will automatically be made over the PA. Mobile phones linked to the security system will talk occupants to the nearest safe exit with calming, pre-recorded messages. Access and proximity detectors will count those leaving the building, identifying who remains – and exactly where they are – by way of assisting emergency services.

Universal Plug'n Play (UPnP) has been under development for the last four years, and is supported by over 500 companies including Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Siemens and Sensormatic. In practice, it allows devices to seamlessly join and leave networks (wired or wireless), announce their presence and offer their services – providing easy control from browsers and existing control points.

To maximise improvements and economies, middleware demands a common control protocol. A single language, if you like. There has been some progress with the emergence of open protocols such as BacNet, LonWorks, Modbus and Konnex

UPnP is designed to be completely independent of any specific hardware or software platform, offering the system designer the prospect of choosing 'Best of Breed' devices while at the same time guaranteeing interoperability. New security features can be added to existing facilities with a minimum of cost and very little disruption.

Underlying most of the other innovations will be an explosion of web services. These are already underway in the IT world where they enable the integration of existing programs and data sources within companies. These legacy systems were usually written in different languages under various operating systems. With thousands of man hours of development already spent, it's cheaper to link them all together with web services than rewrite them.

This powerful technology is already linking organisations together to deliver tighter, richer services. These would, for example, enable truck navigation systems to access up-to-the minute traffic reports aimed at finding (and navigating) less crowded routes.

Changing with the times
Middleware uses web services to add intelligence to connected devices. This enables the interoperation of systems from different suppliers. Organisations need to reconfigure their systems in response to changing requirements and circumstances. The heating, lighting and security requirements for a given department can all be quickly and easily set from one control point. Intelligent middleware enables proximity detectors to automatically turn down lights and heating and, in so doing, economise empty office space.

Buildings contain many disparate systems: heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, life-safety, security, data and telephone to name but a few. Most of them are installed at different times by different suppliers. Each has its own control system running under its own protocols. Interconnection and integration of these systems requires middleware.

To maximise improvements and economies, middleware demands a common control protocol. A single language, if you like. There has been some progress with the emergence of open protocols such as BacNet, LonWorks, Modbus and Konnex. However, all of these protocols are still industry-specific, and making them work together isn't easy. Unified message architecture is required.

Thankfully, IT has come up with a probable answer. XML (eXtensible Mark-up Language). The very technology behind web services and UPnP. By leveraging existing investments and developments in XML, security and other building services will easily integrate both legacy and future systems into a common framework running over the Ethernet backbone of the organisation.