The industry is shifting and BACnet Secure Connect (BACnet SC) is becoming the new standard for protecting BAS networks from cyber threats. This episode walks you through what it is, why it matters, and how to prepare for the transition while keeping operations running smoothly.

We’ll explore:
• How BACnet SC strengthens cybersecurity for BAS networks
• The key differences from BACnet over IP
• Practical considerations before implementation
• Real-world migration strategies and lessons learned
• The future of BACnet SC in smart buildings

Discover how BACnet SC can help secure your BAS network and set the foundation for future-ready building operations.

If you're responsible for training your building automation team and not seeing the results you need, this episode will challenge how you're approaching it. Most internal training programs fail because they miss the mark on what actually drives job performance. This episode will help you refocus on what matters.

We unpack what makes a training program succeed, where most fail, and how to build one that aligns with real work in the field. This is a direct, practical look at solving workforce gaps through focused upskilling.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• The common breakdowns that weaken internal BAS training
• Core elements that lead to long-term skill retention
• A step-by-step method for designing a results-driven program
• How to measure training impact and know if it's working
• The tools worth using and the ones to avoid

If you want your techs producing real outcomes on the job, this episode will give you the clarity to move forward.

In the latest episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you will uncover what lies beneath temporary fixes that may seem harmless but carry significant hidden costs. If you've ever overridden an alarm to stop complaints or zip-tied a damper and walked away, this episode is for you.

This conversation examines the operational, financial, and safety impacts of short-term solutions. It also prompts a critical look at what these practices are truly costing your facility.

In this episode, you will explore:

• What qualifies as a "band-aid fix" and why they are widespread
• The escalating risks created by temporary repairs
• The financial impact of recurring quick fixes
• Cultural patterns that support reactive maintenance
• Practical steps to improve building reliability and performance

Listen to rethink what “just keeping it running” means and discover how to shift toward stable and efficient operations.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy, we are going to discuss how to identify energy and sustainability centered buyers.

It should be no surprise that building owners are focused on sustainability and energy.

Between regulations, incentives, and utility costs organizations are increasingly establishing energy and carbon guidelines for their facilities.

This presents a great opportunity for solution minded organizations to pursue these opportunities. In this episode we will discuss a framework to identify these customers and opportunities.

This will involve a live screenshare where we target specific customers and research these opportunities.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we continue our multipart series on cyber security. 

In today's episode we are going to dive deeper into reconnaissance, which is the first phase of a cyber security attack.

Here we will be looking deeper into techniques and tools that are used to actively and passively gather information on potential targets. 

We will explore how to protect your building automation system and your BAS employees from this initial phase of attack. 

As always please ask any questions you have. 

Cyber Security is not that hard.

Over the next several episodes we are going to be exploring cyber security concepts and tying them to building automation.

My hope is that by the end of this series you will have an understanding of cyber security theory and processes.

This is meant to be an interactive episode so be sure to tune in and ask questions as we explore this topic.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we interview Saheel Chandrani with ABB.

I'm really excited for two reasons.

One, ABB is discussing my favorite topic, workforce! You can have the best technology but without a clear plan to develop and support the workforce nothing else you do matters.

The other reason I'm excited is because you, our audience, and I get to be on the front row seat of a new building automation solution release.

I think you will find Saheel to be very down to earth and transparent.

Nick Sanchez is the next generation of BAS technicians. 

The traditional strategy of hiring someone else's employees has failed. This strategy simply cannot produce the amount of talented employees you need to run your building automation business.

But where do you find folks like Nick? 

And how do you train folks like Nick?

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast I chat with Nick about how he got into the BAS industry, his experience with BAS training, and how he went from knowing nothing about this industry to a BAS tech in less than 3 months.

So you have a customer who might be interested in a retrofit, what next? 

One of the most common ways to start the retrofit sales process is to perform a site audit. To be clear, this is not a ASHRAE energy audit or a IPMVP pre-audit.

This audit exists to ensure you have an accurate understanding of what needs to be done in order to perform a site retrofit.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we discuss:

• What a retrofit site audit is
• How to perform a retrofit site audit
• The exact steps you need to do on every site audit

Resources: Podcast Link

We are entering a retrofit market.

Those of you who have built your entire business around capital projects and construction work need to prepare.

There is a lot of opportunity in the market that will potentially be missed by people who are not prepared for it.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we discuss:

• What a retrofit market is
• Why I believe we will see a major retrofit market
• How you can be prepared to address this market and win more work

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Podcast we are going to explore Measurement and Verification together.

We are going to look at:

• Different types of energy audits and how to do them
• The different measurement and verification methods and how to do them
• General strategies for incorporating M&V and Audits into existing and new construction.

In this episode we will be discussing Smart Buildings Academy's plans for 2023 and beyond.

As you all well know we are big into transparency and collaboration.

One of the best ways to develop ideas and products rapidly is to place the concepts out into the market and test them.

Today we will be discussing the ideas we are exploring as a business both ideas that are 100% going to happen and things we are currently exploring.

In this episode, we're going to be talking with my good friend Donny Walker, of Newcomb and Boyd.

Donny, and I met back when I still worked at Johnson Controls was part of their analytics and system integration group. And even then I knew that Donny was a unique individual.

You see, I'd met a lot of consultants, I've met a lot of commissioning agents, I've met a lot of engineering firms. And I was like, this is interesting. I'm talking to a guy who gets it. He's not just about the spec. He's not just about only what the owner wants, he is about the system that delivers results.

In this episode we will dive deep into how to build out monitoring based commissioning programs that deliver results.

Explore the full BAS project lifecycle in this episode, from sales and design to installation and service.

This episode is for building automation professionals who want a sharper understanding of how BAS projects develop from concept to ongoing service. Whether you focus on sales, design, installation, or support, this discussion outlines what makes a project succeed at every stage.

You will walk through each phase of a BAS project and learn where common pitfalls emerge. The episode offers insight into aligning teams, improving documentation, and supporting system performance after handoff.

Key topics include:

·       Finding risks during scope and specification reviews

·       Creating clear and accurate design documentation

·       Managing installation and subcontractor coordination

·       Improving programming and graphics for user clarity

·       Building long-term service and lifecycle maintenance plans

Listen to examine your current project practices and identify where improvements can be made.

In this episode we discuss the talent management lifecycle with Lewis Martin of Charlton Morris. 

Lewis lays out a step-by-step planning for discovering, hiring, developing, and retaining talent within the smart buildings industry.

Resources:

https://podcast.smartbuildingsacademy.com/397

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we speak with Glen Spry on the topic of wireless energy management. 

Glen is going to take us on a journey looking at how energy management can be achieved with a wireless system. Beyond that Glen will help us to understand the impact of energy management on the grid and how to utilize energy data to better manage our facilities.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we speak with Drew DePriest. 

Drew has an extensive background in the building automation space and has the unique experience of being a BAS technician, proptech professional, working as an OT professional for the CRE space, and working for a managed service provider as an owner's rep.

My hope is that you will get multiple looks at several career pathways during this podcast and you will leave with a better understanding of the possibilities within the smart buildings space.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast Bayron Lopez helps us to unpack the world of IT from a customer's point of view.

So often we are busy thinking "How can I respond to this spec?" 

Or 

"How can I be compliant with XYZ requirement?"

But how often do we stop to think about the operational side of the systems we install?

In this episode Bayron helps us to understand the customer's point of view. Join us as Bayron gives us a behind the scenes look at how IT decisions are made and how we can avoid that dreaded not-qualified decision from IT. 

Are you tired of the same old team meetings?

Scrambling to find a topic and hoping that your team retains what you covered?

In this episode the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we are wrapping up our series on 52 game changing strategies that will grow and improve your BAS team in 2023!

How does the building envelope effect a buildings performance?

What role does acoustics have on occupant comfort?

What can we learn from the design philosophies of the residential and light commercial sectors?

In today's episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we unpack all this and more with Barry Cope, Group Managing Director of the Building Compliance Testers Association.

I hope you enjoy this episode!

Do you want to make your building automation team more productive and profitable in 2023? 

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we will continue to lay out strategies that you can implement into your team meetings that will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your BAS team.

Are your weekly smart buildings team meetings boring?

Do you find yourself struggling to develop topics that will improve your team, increase the profitability of your business, and grow your customer base?

In this 3-part series we will layout 52 strategies that you can discuss with your team in 2023.

That's one strategy for each weekly team meeting!

Are you struggling to find talent for your building automation team?

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we discuss the exact strategies we are using right now to help leading organizations develop a robust pipeline of talent.

In this episode you will discover how to find and develop billable talent to execute backlog right now!

Resources: https://podcast.smartbuildingsacademy.com/389

Have you been struggling to find talent for your building automation business? 

If so you're not alone. In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast I interview Michael Conway of Stacks + Joules. 

Michael is relentlessly focused on delivering quality training to underserved communities in New York and Boston. What makes Stacks + Joules unique is their ability to rapidly train folks on complex topics even though their students start with little to no technical background.

My hope is that after hearing the podcast you will choose to partner with Stacks + Joules on this giving Tuesday.

Resources: https://podcast.smartbuildingsacademy.com/388

Donate at : https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C33YEHX667HFC

Is your HVAC knowledge aligned with today’s smart building demands?

This episode explores variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems and their growing role in building automation. As building complexity increases and energy efficiency becomes a priority, VRF systems offer a different approach that requires new skills and understanding from BAS professionals.

If you work in building automation, this conversation will help you see where the industry is heading and what it means for your work.

Topics covered:

• Why VRF systems are gaining widespread adoption

• How VRF components interact to enable precise zone control

• Challenges with integration and proprietary communication protocols

• When VRF is the right choice, and when it’s not

• How AI and remote monitoring are shaping the future of HVAC

Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your edge in a changing BAS landscape.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast I interview Bill Spohn of TruTech Tools. Bill has a tremendous level of experience in the Smart Buildings Space.

We discuss:

• New technologies that can be used for takeoff and measurement.
• How developments in the residential space can translate to the commercial space
• How the future of building techniques will translate to the commercial sector.
• And Much More.

Resources

https://podcast.smartbuildingsacademy.com/387

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast I will answer any questions you have live. I will also be asking past questions asked by our listeners.

In today's episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we are going to review the ASHRAE 55 standard.

ASHRAE 55 Thermal Conditions for Human Comfort is a fascinating standard.

In this standard we will learn:

• How space type and utilization factor into comfort design
• How to identify setpoints and conditions based on space load
• How to comply with the ASHRAE 55 standard
• And much more

With people begrudgingly returning to the office how can you increase the attractiveness and suitability of the work environment?

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Podcast we discuss how to increase the efficiency of space utilization and planning with Akira Jones of HH Angus. In this Podcast we discuss:

How is space utilization and efficiency planning different in the modern built environment? 

How do you know if you need space utilization and efficiency planning?

What are the silos, that tend to keep the built environment from modernizing their space utilization and efficiency planning? 

Framework for space utilization and efficiency planning
What framework do you use? 

What are the inputs for use case development?

How do you differentiate between inferred data and actual data?

How do you plug inputs into the framework? 

What should come out of the framework?

Resources: https://podcast.smartbuildingsacademy.com/384

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we will be exploring the ASHRAE 62.1 standard.

ASHRAE 62.1 is a key standard that is tied to indoor air quality in buildings.

But how does ASHRAE 62.1 work?

We will be exploring:

• How the standard is structured.

• How to determine the required indoor air quality (IAQ)

• The different methods for achieving the 62.1 standard

Resources: https://podcast.smartbuildingsacademy.com/383

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we will be exploring the ASHRAE 90.1 standard.

ASHRAE 90.1 is a key standard that is tied to multiple upcoming utility regulations and initiatives.

But how does ASHRAE 90.1 work?

We will be exploring:

• How the standard is structured.

• The two implementation methods; Performance and Prescriptive.

• How modeling works with ASHRAE 90.1.

• How 90.1 ties into potential energy conservation measures.

Resources:

https://podcast.smartbuildingsacademy.com/382

How do you actual succeed with analytics? This is a question I get asked often. 

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, Devan Tracy of Lockheed Martin discusses how she built a successful analytics platform from the ground up.

If you've found yourself thinking, "Analytics seem like a good idea but I'm not sure they'll work for me" or "Where would I even get started on an analytics journey" this podcast is for you!

Resources: 

https://podcast.smartbuildingsacademy.com/381

©️ 2022 Lockheed Martin Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Are you struggling to find technical talent?

Are you unable to execute backlog due to labor shortages?

If so you're not alone. In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we unpack how to develop talent right now.

For as long as I can remember the prevailing belief has been that it takes years to train a building automation technician.

In this episode we are going to unpack how we built a 11-week training program that has trained postal workers, hotel lobby clerks, and gas station attendants to become profitable BAS technicians in 11 weeks.

We will discuss lessons learned, how you can implement a similar program in your business, and how to find talent to place into a program of this type.

We will also discuss our plans for future Workforce Development Solutions.

Resources: 

https://www.smartbuildingsacademy.com/wfd-info_employers

5 years ago we founded Smart Buildings Academy with the hopes of gaining 1,000 students by 2025. Today we are the largest vendor-agnostic provider of building automation training programs.

In the beginning of this journey it was just me and my co-founder, who happens to be my wife.

Along the way we've created 30+ training programs with over 2,000 hours of training lessons, 370+ Podcast episodes, thousands of blog articles, and we proved that online delivery is an effective delivery model for BAS training.

It wasn't an easy journey, along the way we've made mistakes, had people blatantly copy our training programs, and we've had to develop processes from scratch for delivering training.

In today's episode I am sharing the lessons learned from running a rapidly growing training business. In our traditional style, I'll share the good, the bad, and the ugly.

My hopes is that you all can learn from us and take away processes and strategies you can bring into your business.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we will be discussing troubleshooting BACnet MS/TP.

You will learn:

• Common BACnet failures
• The signs of each failure type
• How to troubleshoot each BACnet failure type

Many building automation systems are operating far below their potential. If you're only using basic features or managing your system with limited insight, you are likely missing out on performance, energy savings, and operational efficiency.

This episode focuses on you - the facility manager, the BAS technician, the energy consultant - and how to unlock the full capabilities of your system. You will hear real-world examples that highlight common issues and overlooked opportunities. More importantly, you will gain a new perspective on how to reclaim control and value from your existing system.

In this episode, you will explore:

• What underutilized means in building automation
• Root causes that limit system performance
• Overlooked features that can improve efficiency
• Practical barriers and how to start addressing them
• Immediate actions to increase system value

This episode encourages you to rethink your BAS strategy and start taking steps toward better performance and smarter building management.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we are going to discuss how to properly select inputs and outputs for your BAS projects.

You will learn:

• How to look at a specification and select input/output devices
• How to decide between multiple different devices
• How to properly size and select inputs and outputs for your BAS project

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we discuss server virtualization.

You will learn:

The different types of servers

How servers work

How server virtualization works

Why you would want to use a virtualized server

Security Certificates can protect your communications, ensure that rogue devices are not on your network, and verify the authenticity of the devices that do connect to your network.

But do you know what certificates are, how they work, and how to deploy them?

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we are going to do a deep dive on security certificates.

Your backlog is full. You find yourself taking calls from GC's asking where your technicians are every, single, day!

You're expected to execute 10,000 man hours of labor with only 5,000 manhours of techs.

Welcome to the world of BAS project management, and the bad news is it's only getting more intense. Material shortages, labor challenges, and inflationary cost pressures make effective project management seem impossible.

The good news is there is a way to succeed as a project manager.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we discuss 10 tips to increase your project management effectiveness right now!

Things tend to fall apart after they are built, buildings are no exception.

Yet every day I'm seeing new construction projects completed with NO post occupancy maintenance strategy.

Do customers need agreements for planned service? If so what should these agreements include?

And most importantly how can you convince your customers to buy a planned service agreement.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we are going to explore the scoping, selling, and execution of planned service agreements.

What is one of the biggest costs in a retrofit project.. wiring!

I remember back when wireless first hit the market. It was clunky, unreliable, and quite frankly a headache!

Not anymore!

Wireless systems are robust, fast, and effective.

But how do we use them? How do they work?

And how do we fix them when something goes wrong?

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we will explore the fundamentals of wireless systems!

Did you know that having a meter in the wrong place is sometimes worse than not having a meter at all?

In order to meet the increased demand for net-zero and energy efficiency we first must understand our energy use profile. In order to accomplish this we need to have meters!

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we discuss the different types of meters, where to place meters, how to tie meters into your BAS, and how to interpret metering data.

Did you know that the Inflation Reduction Act changes 179D to allow for a tax deduction of up to $5/sq foot for energy efficiency retrofits?

But this is dependent on your energy baseline!

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we are going to look at how to perform a energy audit so that we can establish a baseline and identify potential retrofit solutions.

KNX is a protocol that is seeing increasing adoption across the United States.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we will research KNX together. Throughout the episode we will explore what the protocol is, how the protocol works, and what the protocol does.

In today's Smart Buildings Academy Podcast Episode we discuss 9 energy management strategies that you can implement right now to reduce your energy consumption and demand.

This episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast focuses on a key factor affecting building performance and operational cost: the building operator.

If energy costs remain high despite efficient equipment, or tenant complaints persist after BAS upgrades, the problem may lie in overlooked operational practices. This episode examines how operator actions directly influence energy use, system performance, and downtime.

Designed for professionals managing facility systems and operations, the episode highlights what separates underperforming buildings from optimized ones.

Topics include:

• The impact of trained operators on building efficiency and cost savings
• Core skills operators need beyond system knowledge
• The role of alarms, overrides, and scheduling in energy waste
• Common gaps in trend analysis and setpoint management
• Approaches to developing operator skills and accountability

If your building still is not performing the way it should, this episode will help you start asking the right questions.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we lay out 7 tips for performing effective site audits for your building automation customers.

Building owners need to understand their current building systems to manage the increasingly aggressive energy standards and goals rolling out.

This episode will help you tackle this topic with actionable tips that work right now.

As one of the largest providers of training in the building automation industry we see employers investing millions to train their employees each year.

Yet our industry has a belief that employers do not want to train their people. This makes no logical sense on the surface. Trained employees stay longer, produce more profit, and deliver better customer satisfaction. Outside of those benefits, we have seen firsthand how many organizations now have strategic initiatives around talent development and retention.

Which begs the question do employers really avoid training their employees? Or do employees not know how to ask for training?

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we are going to layout an ROI based approach to training requests. You will learn how to analyze your role and the impact prospective training will have on your role. You will then learn how to communicate the results of that training in such a way as to align with your employers strategic objectives.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast we continue our deep dive on how to design IP controls layouts including ring, bus, and star topologies as well as how to deploy IP controls on both existing and new projects.

We will be using the whiteboard and exploring the three IP architecture types and how to design them