Starting out with SkySpark - our Simple Introduction

Summary

This video introduces SkySpark, an open platform designed for managing building data, but adaptable to various environments. It explains how SkySpark integrates data from devices and systems, making it ideal for complex setups like hospitals or aquariums. The video follows Chuck, a BMS engineer, as he navigates the technical process of setting up and using SkySpark, including software installation, data integration, modeling, analytics, and creating custom dashboards. Through Chuck's journey, viewers learn the essential skills required to fully utilize SkySpark, with support from Fantom Factory's eLearning courses.

Takeaways

• 😀 SkySpark is an open data platform that integrates with a wide variety of devices and systems, making it highly customizable.
• 😀 SkySpark can handle data from different environments, such as buildings, aquariums, or even hospitals, showcasing its versatility.
• 😀 Setting up SkySpark requires technical skills like configuring servers, connecting devices, and applying tags for data modeling.
• 😀 The core challenge in using SkySpark lies in managing and analyzing large datasets across multiple devices and locations.
• 😀 SkySpark requires a solid understanding of data analytics to extract actionable insights from raw data and improve system performance.
• 😀 Axon programming language is essential for writing rules, creating alerts, and processing data effectively within SkySpark.
• 😀 Building a custom view/dashboard is key to visualizing and interpreting SkySpark data efficiently, making it easy to extract insights.
• 😀 Chuck, the BMS engineer in the example, learns through trial and error while setting up SkySpark for his pilot project with a Rooftop Unit (RTU).
• 😀 SkySpark's modular setup allows for targeted learning, with team members focusing on specific areas like data integration, analytics, or programming.
• 😀 The Fantom Factory eLearning courses provide structured, CPD-accredited training to help teams develop the necessary skills for using SkySpark effectively.
• 😀 With the right training and skills, teams can utilize SkySpark to monitor, analyze, and optimize building systems or any data-rich environment.

Q & A

What is SkySpark and why is it considered an open platform?

SkySpark is a powerful, open platform designed to integrate and analyze data from various devices and systems. It is considered 'open' because it allows users to connect virtually anything to the platform, such as measurement devices, software, and web applications, making it highly customizable.

How can SkySpark be used in different environments, and what’s an example?

SkySpark is designed to manage building data but can be applied in other environments as well. For instance, an aquarium could use SkySpark to monitor the water quality and temperature of their tanks.

What challenges arise when using SkySpark in large-scale environments?

The main challenge is managing big data. For example, handling data from all rooms across multiple floors in a hospital campus can be complex. SkySpark’s data engine, however, is powerful enough to process this large volume of data.

What technical skills are required to set up SkySpark?

Setting up SkySpark requires skills in installing software, configuring web servers, setting up license files, and connecting the platform to devices or systems. This process involves understanding networking and server configuration.

How did Chuck approach setting up SkySpark for his Rooftop Unit (RTU)?

Chuck installed SkySpark and decided whether to use a local server or a web-hosted server. He then connected the RTU to SkySpark but initially struggled because the platform didn’t recognize the unit, requiring him to use Project Haystack tags to model the data correctly.

What is the role of Project Haystack tags in using SkySpark?

Project Haystack tags are used to describe devices and their data. In Chuck’s case, he applied the right tags to his RTU so that SkySpark could understand the device’s data and integrate it properly into the system.

Why is data analytics important for SkySpark users like Chuck?

Data analytics is crucial for users like Chuck because it helps them make informed decisions about the performance of their devices. In Chuck’s case, understanding the RTU’s data allowed him to optimize its performance and identify inefficiencies.

What is Axon programming, and why did Chuck need to learn it?

Axon is the scripting language used in SkySpark for writing rules and conditions. Chuck needed to learn Axon to set up alerts and notifications, ensuring that the RTU operated efficiently and that any issues were immediately flagged.

What type of data was Chuck trying to monitor for his RTU, and why was it important?

Chuck wanted to monitor key data like the RTU’s current status, operation schedules, and date/time information. This data was important because it helped Chuck ensure the RTU was running efficiently and alert him to any potential issues.

What solution did Chuck use to make his SkySpark data easier to manage and present?

Chuck created custom dashboards and views in SkySpark to simplify data management. This allowed him to easily access the most important information with minimal clicks, saving time and improving workflow efficiency.

How did Chuck’s team get the necessary skills to use SkySpark effectively?

Chuck’s team underwent training through Fantom Factory’s eLearning courses, which helped them develop skills in areas like data integration, analytics, programming, and building custom views. These modular courses were CPD accredited, ensuring they received recognized certifications.