The reality of today and tomorrow's economy is that we will be doing more with less to effectively manage our buildings. Given this challenge, our savior is that technology in the form of Web-based everything is now providing us a path to improved communications while simplifying the movement of complex building information to the evolving building operations specialist.

The rapid movement of the building automation industry towards being Web-based allows us to interweave critical dynamic building information into a browser-based anywhere presentation. This allows us to concentrate and amplify our existing building operation resources and operators into virtual operational centers, in which all critical information is exposed to all stakeholders. This visible-from-anywhere information allows authorized users to provide the correct input, management, and dollar accountability skills that will provide excellent comfort/energy performance with total accountability.

A Web-based presentation of dynamic building information allows nor only operators to operate from anywhere with full functionality, it allows interaction of contractors, equipment suppliers, and consultants to provide valuable feedback and feed-forward information to the building operating equation. Upper management can also participate by having browser-based bottomline screens that provide the dynamic proof of the success or failure of building performance.
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This new concentration and amplification of existing building operational resources and personnel will provide a strong refocus on the values of good operating principles.

This focus will cause management and operations to re-establish communications on what is important and what is required to achieve cost effective excellent building operations.

The creation of a new model of data and information and support provides an excellent opportunity to simplify and increase the ease of access to critical building operations. As the "DDC revolution" exposed the complex relationship between controls and equipment, the "net revolution" will expose our Lack of understanding of the complex cost/comfort/safety issues of today's buildings. This will cause us to economically invest in the need for increased knowledge to operate today's buildings cost effectively.

The Web-based presentation of static and dynamic building information of what is actually required to achieve the best of client comfort, while maintaining excellent IAQ for the least cost per sq ft will be an eye-opener for all. As these dynamic models evolve, reflecting the realities of day-to-day building operation, management will be required to re-evaluate the real cost of having less than the best possible operation people; they will arrive at the conclusion that the correct operation team can greatly add to the company's bottomline by enhancing the art of providing desirable cost effective buildings.

The new Web-based media access and presentation has the power to simplify and teach while greatly aiding the comprehension of building operations. The concept of creating a website for each complex allows critical building information to be located in one organized place accessible to all. The interweaving of actual dynamic building information allows contractors and consultants the ability to quickly understand complex building problems.

The fact that this information is exposed keeps the pressure on the building operation staff to achieve excellence. If it becomes obvious that existing personnel cannot operate the building effectively, areas of responsibility can be easily shifted to someone who can. Aggressive and talented operators will take on more, and some of the existing operators will be re-employed as maintainers.

Of course, the day-to-day operation of the building remains relatively unchanged. Only the complex operational issues and decisions are separated from day-to-day operation. The operating team would also control day-to-day issues to solve operating problems caused by equipment failure. The operating team would determine if equipment problems were best solved by on-site personnel or outside contractors.

The building's operational website and virtual operational center seems to be the logical place to control and store equipment maintenance information. An added advantage of control from this point is that maintenance is driven by the necessity to operate the building for the lowest cost per sq ft while maintaining an excellent environment.