Client customisation is an interesting aspect of the technology and Building Management Systems (BMS) industry. At Nordomatic, we are proud to say that we work aligned with our customers. However, by working aligned, it is also crucial to explore how we can enhance the front-end accessibility to each system in our diverse portfolio.
In this article, we let the floor open to three of our experts, Peter Dalgaard Nielsen, Renata Jankovska and Kenneth Martinsson, to shed light on the process of tailoring Cloud Services and Remote Access Solutions to various requirements, ultimately enhancing their accessibility and availability to different target groups and projects within the BMS field.
Working Aligned with Market Needs:
If there is someone one should talk to about adapting Smart Cloud, it’s Peter Dalgaard Nielsen. Peter Dalgaard Nielsen has had a long journey at Nordomatic and in the field of BMS and Tech. He started in 2012 as a technician, working on multiple different-sized projects. Since 2022, he has been the Business Area Manager of Cloud in Denmark, and he has become the go-to person to talk to regarding how to enhance the availability of various systems by using Nordomatic Smart Cloud.
Peter is about tailoring BMS solutions to fit specific needs and future environmental requirements. He states, “Our goal is to empower our clients by providing easy access to our BMS systems and applications. This means tailoring our solutions to their specific requirements.”
What is the main reason a client should move towards being more on the cloud?
“BMS Smart Cloud offers clients several reasons to enable easy access to their services. User availability becomes predominant with a simplified setup and reduced server requirements.” – Peter Dalgaard Nielsen.
What are the primary needs in the market at the moment?
“The cost factor drives our clients to adopt Cloud Solutions. The reason is that they want an effective solution that handles upgrades seamlessly and can be cost-effective in the long term. The capability to manage systems remotely is a key advantage of Smart Cloud. Compared to self-managing servers, you can adjust and adapt the energy flows of multiple buildings at the time in real-time.” – Peter Dalgaard Nielsen.
Visualising areas to enhance the complexity of energy consumption’s intricate aspects can sometimes be challenging. Given Nordomatic’s dedication to aligning with customer objectives and taking action on the opportunities in our way, we can proudly say that we have been involved with projects where we have customised our products’ visual components.
What value would you say the front-end aspect of a platform entails for the client?
“It’s essential to make things easy to access and understand. Having one place to log in is a big deal because everyone wants to get to things easily.” – Peter Dalgaard Nielsen.
The Value of a Visually Responsive Interface
In today’s tech-savvy world, the user experience is vital. Nordomatic recognises this and emphasises designing interfaces that are functional and visually preferred.
Renata Jankovska, a key member of the GemEX team at Spica Technologies (Acquired by Nordomatic in 2021), shares her insights on strategic designing for the user experience. She says, “User interfaces should be intuitive and visually drawing. It is also crucial that the visual aspect of the front-end design ensures that our clients can interact with the systems effortlessly.”
Renata’s graphic design background provides her with a keen eye for aesthetics and complements her expertise in UX and UI, making her a valuable asset in the tech industry where these elements converge.
Today, she plays a vital part in the GemEX team as a Product Designer, where she uses a more extensive knowledge of the psychology of the users and the art of problem-solving when designing products.
What does Product Design entail in terms of user accessibility?
“As one uses an app, you never really think how fast you adapt to the front-end design setup. Much of that psychology is to play in Product Design, and I find that aspect of it incredibly fascinating. Product Design goes beyond mere pretty aesthetics and fancy buttons. It’s genuinely about understanding how users engage with the product and using design to make it as user-friendly as possible”. – Renata Jankovska.
Every part of the front-end design exists for a reason. Making the user experience as accessible as possible requires a committed team with extensive expertise, and a lot of product testing is the driving force behind a genuinely responsive product.
“As our world evolves, so do our minds and how users interact with products. Therefore, it’s crucial always to do many tests and observe the user’s behaviour. What we do is create a responsive experience for users. Therefore, we must track data and question each step to act on the correct approach.” – Renata Jankovska.
Renata stated that product design involves upfront planning, including outlining the project, mapping user journeys, conducting research, and creating wireframes and sketches. The GemEX team collaborates closely with developers to seamlessly integrate new components. In each design process, they balance aesthetics by adhering to accessibility rules and material design principles. The main priority is always to adapt the interface to the user’s needs and follow accessibility standards.
Adapting solutions to align with client requirements:
One of the promises of Nordomatic’s approach is our ability to adapt solutions according to our client’s needs. Kenneth Martinsson, Developer of BMS Applications in Stockholm, Sweden, is a testament to this commitment.
Kenneth’s journey in tech can be traced back to 1998, when he started working in the field as a technician. Having acquired experience across the entire spectrum, from working with control and routing cables to developing sophisticated Applications and integrating them with the interface of Styrportalen, Kenneth’s apparent proficiency in comprehending information flows and understanding how they interact has been pivotal in streamlining the resolution of complexities as they arise.
What should take the highest priority when developing BMS Applications?
“There are two key aspects to prioritise. Firstly, ensure the application is designed to be as intuitive as possible. It should be self-explanatory and not require a manual. Users should be able to see how to use it directly.” – Kenneth Martinsson.
As a Styrportalen user, the user accesses remote oversight of all units and systems across single or multiple buildings, Real-time comparison of energy consumption among numerous teams, Insightful tracking of trends and flowcharts and Swift troubleshooting and alarm resolution. With the Nordomatic solution, Secure Edge Gateway, Styrportalen becomes an even more secure, user-friendly platform.
Do you influence how the Applications in Styrportalen can be visually presented?
“Our approach involves adopting layouts similar to those used in many other apps, and we strive to emphasise our focus areas within that framework. In that context, we establish a structure reminiscent of other applications, placing logins in familiar spots and adhering to standard functionalities.” – Kenneth Martinsson.
Kenneth explains, “One size does not fit all. We take the time to understand our client’s unique requirements and then customise our solutions accordingly. This includes integrating different BMS systems and applications to enhance availability and functionality.” – Kenneth Martinsson.
How do you ensure the compatibility of the applications with other emerging technologies, such as IoT and edge computing?
“Ensuring compatibility with emerging technologies can be quite a challenge. Some systems have conservative capabilities, leading to varied patterns in certain scenarios. To address this, we focus on standardising communication methods, enabling seamless integration of devices with both Cloud and SMART systems.” – Kenneth Martinsson.
The Journey Ahead:
In conclusion, Nordomatic’s dedication to working aligned with customers’ goals and needs is not just a commitment; it’s our guiding principle. By enhancing the availability of our BMS systems and BMS Applications and focusing on the user experience, we are meeting expectations and setting new standards in our industry.
As we move forward, we remain excited about the endless possibilities and challenges in this dynamic field, knowing that our customer-centric approach will continue to drive our success.
Click here to learn more about Nordomatic’s ServicesWritten by: Tove Ljung, Marketing & Communications Partner