The KNX UK Association brings together the system designers and integrators, product manufacturers and the support ecosystem of training providers and wholesalers that are growing the market for intelligent smart building controls based on the flexible, future-proof and manufacturer-independent KNX protocol.
It makes possible the holy grail of holistic building control, with all applications from lighting and HVAC to security, window and blind control and AV. Scalable, secure and suited for domestic and commercial premises, KNX is the undisputed global leader in open building control systems.
He says: “KNX is the lingua franca of intelligent building control. We want to help everyone to speak that language and benefit from the functionality and energy efficiency that only truly-integrated control across all applications can deliver.”
Complex control projects can throw up complex issues, leading to disputes that are costly and time consuming and, in turn, break what should ideally be long-term relationships. One way to avoid disputes is to play safe; another is to embrace innovation but with a clear understanding of what best practice should be at the leading edge.
In the buildings control world, there is a growing tendency for integrators to develop customer software wrappers for control systems. It’s a trend that should be welcomed because it will benefit customers and help to stimulate the rest of the industry to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Excellent examples of this approach are used, for instance when providing security for parallel crew and guest accommodation control of superyachts where protecting all-important navigation systems from unauthorised users when the vessel is in charter is critical. The potential downside of software wrappers is that they could be used to restrict the client’s freedom to further develop the software foundations of their installation at a later date.
It’s an issue that is not exclusive to the KNX world, but nowhere else does it so starkly contrast with the basic system principles of openness and future-proofing. That’s why the KNX UK Association felt the need to envelope a Code of Conduct for its members that goes beyond the usual “off the shelf” wording.
So, in addition to stipulating the general principles of good conduct, best commercial practice and fair dispute resolution, the new code specifically pre-empts issues that could arise from the growing use of custom – and often proprietary – software wrappers that could restrict the client’s freedom.
This Is not to discourage innovation by integrators, but to ensure code is shared with customers. Not doing so would, of course be inconsistent with the principles that underpin the open standards thinking behind KNX, and is expressly forbidden by the KNX UK members’ Code of Practice.
The KNX UK Code of Conduct give us all the confidence to explore new possibilities with KNX in the UK, improving the efficiency of the built environment and the wellbeing of occupants. I believe it has set the standard definition of good conduct for designers and integrators in our industry and clarifies principles of best practice acceptable to all our professional colleagues, working on projects that are KNX based or not. Above all, it helps to enable innovation!
Paul Foulkes is president of the KNX UK Association as well as UK business manager for Theben.
To find out more about KNX UK visit: knxuk.org
