IBM to Launch Smart Infrastructure Lab at CMU

Meanwhile, in related news, IBM on July 28 announced it plans to "work with Tridium ... to develop new technology and solutions that will allow companies to maximize efficiency of their new and existing buildings and facilities while keeping an eye on profits."

IBM's statement continued:

"Tridium, part of Honeywell's Automation and Control Solutions group, is a global provider of software and embedded hardware that allows for integration and control of the numerous devices, systems and networks found in commercial buildings and retail structures.

Tridium's Niagara and Sedona software enable the integration and control of virtually every system and device in any facility from HVAC equipment, lighting and generators to gas pumps, ovens, and medical devices. The companies plan to integrate IBM Tivoli Monitoring for Energy Management and IBM Maximo Asset Management enterprise software with Niagara and Sedona to create secure, Internet-enabled networks that will allow for new levels of energy management, integrate thousands of disparate systems and devices, and analyze vast streams of real-time data.

Applying IBM's advanced software will let managers know if their buildings and the systems inside are operating at maximum performance and profitability, a major concern in many industries, including retail."

 "Our work to create smarter buildings will be enhanced by Tridium technology that allow many of the systems that constitute a building—heat, water, sewage and electricity—to be controlled and automated," David Bartlett, vice president of industry solutions at IBM Software Group, said in a statement. "Together we'll be able to give clients greater intelligence and control of their buildings and of the physical world."

"Our technologies embrace many communications methods in order to support the integration of these disparate systems and devices, facilitating better control and awareness," Steve Fey, president of Tridium, said in a statement. "Our focus has always been on the integration and interoperability of all of these systems, whether wired or wireless. Now, with IBM, we can deliver an end-to-end IP-based infrastructure for any type of building and deliver real-time information, asset intelligence and analysis from virtually every device and sensor in the network for decision support around the globe."