But just how integrated are these systems? That's hard to say, because integration means different things to different people, especially where hardware and software are concerned. To some, integration may just mean being able to monitor a particular building system through the BAS without necessarily controlling it. To others integration may mean the ability to monitor and control multiple building systems through one workstation.

Total system integration can be expensive and complex, which is why many system designers are often more comfortable keeping building systems as separate entities. However, endusers may not be content with this structure for long as they start to hear about the potential benefits of interoperability and shared resources.