Training as a building automation system architect: "a system architect is indispensable"

Rudy Jansen works as an account manager at Rensen Regeltechniek, a company that, in addition to control technology, also provides system integration and markets energy management products. Together with his colleagues, Jansen sells building automation solutions.

To increase his knowledge of this rapidly changing market, he has developed the System Architect Building Automation course followed at the TVVL. This training was set up in collaboration with the Trade Organization for Building Automation and OTIB.

Last July, Jansen's manager came up with an interesting course: training to become a system architect. “I wanted to do that, I thought it would be fun,” says Jansen. “That's how I started it. It is broadening your knowledge and training for the future, for what will become possible.”

Jansen and about ten fellow students went to the Intechnium building in Woerden. The students were then treated to a course package at HBO+ level. In addition to installation techniques for building automation, the subjects building management and ICT, and methodologies & skills were on the agenda.

Internet of things

A topic that particularly appeals to budding system architects is the Internet of Things. This is also the case with Jansen: “The Internet of Things was discussed, among other things, very interesting. This is not yet as far off the ground as we had intended in building automation. Everyone is saying it, but little concrete action is being taken. This involves linking existing systems to camera systems, for example.”

The interfaces between technical fields such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, ICT and security also became visible in other themes that appeared in the teaching material: “The course also covered topics such as smart grids, network construction and data processing. We also had a bit of system engineering. Human skills were also discussed. For example, how do you act during negotiations? I thought that was a very positive thing,” Jansen explains.

Jansen successfully completed the training, which consists of fifteen days of lessons and self-study. He had to roll up his sleeves for this: “It was a tough course. You need a lot of time to study and learn everything.”

'The first draft must be right from the start'

“I would definitely recommend the course, but you have to estimate that it will take a lot of time. You will receive an assignment every two weeks that you have to complete and a syllabus that you have to study. And the exam was very tough,” says the brand new system architect.

He wants to start working immediately with the knowledge he has acquired: “Because I mainly sell, I want to have systems better integrated with each other in the preliminary phase. The first draft must be good right away. The moment you, as a project leader, move towards implementation, everything is actually already determined.”

Moreover, Jansen thinks that a lot can and must change in construction, and that a system architect is indispensable: “Construction is a conservative market. Often a building is constructed and the contractor thinks 'I'm done'. While most costs come afterwards: one-third is construction, two-thirds is operation. The control technology determines how the building functions for the rest of its life. So it is an important part. Gradually more attention is being paid to it, but it is still far too little.”