Integrated Mechanical Services (IMS) a Mechanical, Electrical and Controls contractor in Gaborone, Botswana, is a certified Distech Systems Integrator and one of iLED’s valued customers.

Pull and turned rack by iLED Manufacturing changing colours. Image supplied

Pull and turned rack by iLED Manufacturing changing colours. Image supplied

IMS won the tender for the initial phase roll-out of Mechanical, BMS and Control at ‘Project X’ – a new precinct of five multi story buildings in the heart of Gaborone. The control system of choice was the Distech Eclypse range of IP controllers using EC-Net4 with Envysion as the Supervisory and Visualisation software.

The control system was engineered by Shawn Fisher of IMS using Distech Controls engineering tools: Builder HVAC application and programming tool, XpressGFX I/O configuration tool and XpressNetwork Utility for configuration and commissioning. IMS has successfully deployed Eclypse throughout phase one of this project, monitoring and controlling relevant mechanical and electrical systems. The following systems have seamlessly been integrated with Eclypse: EC-BOS-8’s and Optigo Fiber Management OT networking equipment via BACnet, water meters, power meters, LG VRF system, UPSs, Generators and the Solar Array.

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IMS completed all graphics using Distech’s ENVYSION for EC-Net4. ENVYSION is a web-based graphic design and visualisation interface that delivers the art and science of actionable visual knowledge with a powerful user experience.

As a ‘drag & drop’ GUI development platform, ENVYSION provides a real-time, data-driven user interface and graphical elements that enhance communication and analysis.

For the Operational Technology (OT) networking, IMS chose to integrate Optigo networking equipment. The stand-out benefit over standard, cheaper network hardware was mainly due to the managed fibre to copper switches and software tools offered by Optigo.

Optigo OneView – hosted on the Optigo Network Controller – was used to manage the OT network. OneView is a user-friendly dashboard that monitors and manages the entire network from one screen. Edge Switches and supported routers are automatically recognised and added to Optigo OneView. Using the supported router (available for order through iLED) users can even enjoy the power and ease of multi-layer network management in one centralised dashboard.

“Visual BACnet scans the protocol layer of the building automation network, applies its advanced diagnostics, and provides a network health score.”

During commissioning stage, Optigo’s Visual BACnet tool was installed on the server to help with the networking diagnostics. Visual BACnet scans the protocol layer of the building automation network, applies its advanced diagnostics, and provides a network health score. The Visual BACnet’s drilldown feature allowed IMS to understand exactly what the problems were and which devices were responsible for causing them. Graphs and visualisation features assist in identifying chatty devices and high-traffic times.

With Optigo’s networking tools managing the network integration, the time to assign IP addresses and configure each switch for management, VLANs, and security was reduced from days to a few hours. Users can minimise their dependence on IT and truly own their network with a multi-layer solution designed for OT.

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