SBA 488: BAS Channel Enablement 101 with Jonathan Lewis
Release Date: 03/27/2025
SBA 505: 10 Things Building Operators Can Do Right Now To Optimize Their BAS
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
This episode is for building automation professionals ready to improve performance without waiting for a capital project. It focuses on direct, practical actions you can take to increase efficiency, reduce energy waste, and streamline operations using your current BAS tools. You'll walk away with a checklist of tasks that can be implemented immediately, helping you reduce noise in your system, sharpen team performance, and identify problems before they escalate. Key areas covered in this episode: Auditing your system to spot performance gaps Fine-tuning schedules and setpoints to reflect real...
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SBA 504: What Every Manager Should Know in 2025
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Facility managers are expected to do more than ever. Your role now includes managing complex systems, reducing risk, and making decisions that impact the entire organization. This episode outlines what you need to understand to stay effective and relevant. Building automation systems are evolving. They are no longer just tools for comfort control. They are critical assets for energy management, compliance, cybersecurity, and long-term planning. If your approach hasn't changed, it's time to catch up. Key topics in this episode: How building automation systems have become strategic assets ...
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SBA 503: From Reactive to Strategic Building the Future Ready Facilities Team
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
If you're tired of constant alarms, short-term fixes, and feeling like you're always behind, this episode is for you. This conversation focuses on helping building automation professionals step out of reactive mode and into a forward-thinking strategy that positions your facilities team as a critical part of business success. You’ll hear how teams can stop being viewed as a cost burden and start being seen as a strategic asset. This episode challenges how you approach maintenance, documentation, and performance. It offers a roadmap to help your team work smarter, reduce waste, and align with...
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SBA 502: The Art & Science of BAS Estimating Part 2
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Estimating in building automation is not just about pricing. It's about influencing how a project performs, how it's delivered, and whether it turns a profit. If you're involved in estimating, bidding, or scoping BAS work, this episode is built for you. Michael Roper expands on the fundamentals from a previous episode and takes a deeper look at how to approach estimating with accuracy and control. The focus is on precision, awareness, and building estimates that hold up in the field. In this episode, you'll explore: How strategic thinking affects estimating outcomes Where complexity hides in...
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SBA 501: How BAS Contractors Can Win Back Owners
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Facility owners are not waiting anymore. Across healthcare, higher education, government, and critical infrastructure, a growing number are building internal teams to self-perform automation work. This shift is not driven by cost, but by frustration, urgency, and the need for consistent, reliable service. In this episode, you'll hear exactly why this trend is accelerating and what it means for your business. Owners are not trying to compete with contractors, but they no longer trust the current model to support their operations. If you're in the contracting or OEM space, this episode is a...
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SBA 500: The History of Smart Buildings Academy
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
This episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast examines the transformation of a side project into one of the most recognized training providers in the building automation industry. It focuses on the strategic shifts, leadership lessons, and systemized processes that shaped Smart Buildings Academy from its inception to its current impact. The story shared in this episode mirrors challenges many building automation professionals face when growing their careers or businesses. It presents a clear view into what it takes to scale, adapt, and lead with purpose. Key topics covered include: ...
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SBA 499: The ROI of BAS Training
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
If you're leading teams, overseeing projects, or managing budgets in building automation, this episode is for you. Training isn't just a line item. It affects how fast your jobs get done, how often your clients call back, and how long your employees stick around. This conversation challenges how you think about the cost of training by showing what happens when you measure its value the right way. Instead of guessing, you'll learn how to track real numbers, get better results, and build a stronger team. You’ll hear case studies, practical metrics, and a clear process for capturing what...
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SBA 498: The True Cost of Band-Aid Fixes in Building Operations
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
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...
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SBA 497: The Life Cycle of a BAS Project
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
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....
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SBA 496: Revolutionizing HVAC – The Rise of VRF Systems
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
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...
info_outlineWhat if the key to unlocking more profitable and efficient building automation projects was already at your fingertips?
In Episode 488, you’re invited into a detailed conversation tailored specifically for building automation professionals. This episode explores how OEMs like Johnson Controls are equipping their contractor channels with advanced tools - not just to sell, but to successfully deliver full BAS solutions from estimation to final commissioning.
This episode is about helping you rethink the way you approach your BAS projects. Whether you're estimating, designing, installing, or managing the handoff to operations, there are resources out there that can make you faster, more accurate, and more profitable.
You won’t just hear about features - you’ll hear how these tools and processes can be applied to your business and your daily operations.
Key topics explored include:
- The underestimated power of estimation tools and how they impact risk, labor, and material accuracy.
- How engineering efforts in the sales phase can translate into operational success and earlier cash flow.
- What to consider when transitioning to IP controls and how OEM partnerships are shaping the network infrastructure conversation.
- How to strategically manage materials to drive revenue and reduce risk before a project even breaks ground.
- How automation and evolving software tools are reducing human error and accelerating project timelines.
If you're a contractor, estimator, engineer, or project manager in the BAS space, this episode will give you insight into what’s possible with the right toolset and the right approach. You’ll walk away with new perspectives on how to enhance your current workflows and set your projects up for greater success. Listen in to discover how the strategies discussed can impact your business.