The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology

Unravel the mysteries of IT for Building Automation Systems (BAS) with Phil Zito in Episode 452 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast. Geared towards the non-technical audience in the BAS field, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide, introducing key IT concepts essential for BAS professionals. Whether you're a building owner, MEP spec designer, salesperson, or operations manager, this epis...

Uncover the essentials of BACnet integration in Episode 451 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast with Phil Zito. This episode is an invaluable resource for professionals embarking on BACnet integration projects, offering a comprehensive overview of BACnet protocols, communication methodologies, and practical integration strategies. Whether you're tackling a retrofit or adding new components to y...

In Episode 450 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, Phil Zito dives deep into the process of conducting site audits for building automation systems. This episode is a comprehensive guide aimed at both professionals looking to retrofit existing systems and building owners seeking to upgrade their building automation systems. Phil emphasizes that this audit focuses on assessing the system rather...

Dive into the world of Building Automation System (BAS) point objects with Phil Zito in Episode 449 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast. This episode is dedicated to demystifying BAS point objects, a fundamental concept for professionals in the building automation industry. Whether you're new to BAS or looking to refresh your knowledge, this episode provides valuable insights into different typ...

In Episode 448 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast as he delves into the essential strategies for developing self-sufficient technicians in the building automation industry. Discover a comprehensive framework designed to minimize repeat support calls by addressing common gaps in technician training and knowledge. Episode Highlights: Introduction to Self-Sufficiency: Phil outlines what it means...

Episode Description: Dive into the intricacies of building automation programming with Phil Zito in Episode 447 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast. This technical episode takes a deep dive into the art and science of writing effective building automation programs, focusing on sequences of operations, design patterns, and translating complex sequences into graphical programming interfaces. Epis...

Welcome back to the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast with your host, Phil Zito, in Episode 446. After a brief hiatus, Phil dives back into the world of smart buildings, sharing his recent experiences, insights from industry trade shows, and addressing the critical issue of workforce development in building automation. This episode takes listeners on a journey through the whirlwind of trade shows li...

In this insightful episode of the Smart Buildings Academy podcast, Chief Talent Officer Rachel Zito sits down with the Academy's visionary founder and CEO, Phil Zito, for a deep dive into his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of the Smart Buildings Academy (SBA). Episode Highlights: Kick off: The Journey Unveiled - Phil shares his motivations behind opening up about his journey and what he...

In this enlightening episode of the Smart Buildings Academy podcast, we were joined by Phil Zito, CEO of Smart Buildings Academy. Together, we explored the critical aspects of creating effective training programs in the building automation industry. Episode Highlights: Insider Insights : Phil shares his valuable experience and knowledge on developing impactful training programs. The Hidden Costs :...

In this insightful episode of SBA 443, we dive deep into the intricacies of building and managing a Remote Operations Center (ROC) specifically designed for building automation teams. Our discussion is grounded in the practical experiences and successes of SBA in this field, offering listeners a blend of theoretical knowledge and real-world application. We begin by defining what a Remote Operation...

🎧 Dive into the dynamic world of building automation with Phil Zito in our latest podcast episode "SBA 442: Ask Me Anything"! Phil, an acclaimed expert in the field, opens the floor to listeners, answering questions on a wide array of topics. Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with valuable insights. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Sales Strate...

In episode SBA 441, we're joined by Derek Wright from D&L Controls, who offers an intimate look into the journey of his organization. From its humble beginnings to the present, and aspirations for the next two years, Derek gives listeners a roadmap of D&L's evolution. Hiring practices take center stage as he reveals what qualities stand out in potential candidates, followed by an engaging discussi...

In this episode of SBA440, delve deep into the intricacies of talent management in the building automation industry. From understanding the profound impact of organizational culture to navigating the challenges of corporate-imposed pay constraints, we'll explore innovative strategies to reengage disengaged staff and dissect a real-world case study of ThermoTech Automation Solutions. Discover actio...

Dive into the world of energy management with Nathan Miller, the driving force behind UHAT's facility initiatives. In this episode, we journey through Nathan's personal career evolution and uncover valuable insights from his transition into the owner space. Discover how UHAT is setting facility standards, the synergy between IT and Building Automation Systems (BAS), and the thought process behind...

Are you frustrated with the revolving door of talent in the building automation sector? Ever trained an employee only to watch them be lured away by a competitor? If these scenarios sound familiar, our latest podcast episode is for you. Why Employee Retention Matters In the rapidly advancing world of building automation, maintaining a skilled and dedicated workforce isn't just an HR concern—it's a...

Employee and leadership challenges are some of the most difficult issues business owners and managers face. Often times you advance in your career because of your skills in a specific area. Your team or business grows and now you have people. People are awesome, they bring life to a team and business. But they are also complicated. In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, our co-own...

Hello SBA listeners! 🚀 Reconnect with us in this powerhouse episode, where we dive deep into our newest evolutions and the growth of the SBA community. If you've ever felt like a cog in the building automation industry's machine, you're in for a treat. Highlights Include: SBA's New Horizons: Discover how we're reshaping our vision. From introducing dynamic team members to revealing our innovative...

Prepare for an adventure as we roll out the 435th episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, imaginatively titled "SBA 435: Highway Heroes - Untold Stories from a Traveling Building Automation Repairman." In this episode, we have our Corporate Trainer, David Perkins, as your travel guide. David has spent countless hours on the road, moving from site to site, unraveling and fixing complex buil...

Get ready for a thrilling ride as we present the 434th episode of our popular Smart Buildings Academy podcast, titled "SBA 434: In the Maintenance Zone - Exploring Best Practices for BAS Upkeep." Leading the discussion will be our corporate instructor, David Perkins. Drawing from his extensive experience on the maintenance frontlines, David will share a captivating mix of success stories and horro...

Clear your schedules for the 433rd episode of our Smart Buildings Academy Podcast! This time, we're bringing in the big guns with our distinguished corporate instructor, Michael Roper, taking the lead. The episode is masterfully titled, "The Art and Science of Valve Sizing - Decoding the Mystery." Get ready to immerse yourself in the fascinating universe of valve types, their sizing, and the criti...

At last, the wait is over! Episode 432 of the Smart Buildings Academy's Podcast is finally here! We sat down for an incredible roundtable discussion on Wednesday, June 7th, in an episode we've titled, "Growth and Grit: Our Workforce Development Endeavors Revealed". In this discussion, we peeled back the layers on our trailblazing, fully online, 11-week workforce development program. Yes, we've bee...

We're excited to share with you that our esteemed Director of Sales, Julian Palacios, has guest hosted an insightful episode of our podcast series, titled "Seal the Deal: Winning Strategies for Securing Service Agreements". In this episode, Julian illuminates his tested framework for identifying, proposing, and landing profitable building automation service agreements with commercial clients. Leve...

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️ We are thrilled to bring you the 430th episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast - a podcast that explores the technologies and people driving the smart buildings industry. 👷‍♂️ Joining us this time is none other than industry veteran, Michael Roper. With his extensive knowledge and experience in the HVAC industry, Michael will be providing us with invaluable insight...

Don't miss out on our latest episode airing on Friday, May 26th at 9 AM CST. Titled "The Current State: How Electrical Fundamentals Drive Building Automation," this session promises to shed light on the crucial role of electrical fundamentals in the realm of building automation. Led by our seasoned instructor, Michael Roper, this discussion aims to provide building automation professionals with a...

On episode 428 of the Smart Buildings Academy (SBA) podcast, SBA instructor David Perkins demystifies the world of BACnet MS/TP. This episode, titled "BACnet MS/TP Explained: Its Influence and Importance in Building Automation," dives deep into the technicalities, impact, and relevance of the BACnet MS/TP protocol in the realm of building automation. David dissects how the BACnet MS/TP, a key prot...