I maintain a building that has Alerton controllers and BacNet/BacTalk software. The HVAC software is over 6 years old. The IT technician and I are wanting to upgrade with a new type of software that will not utilize a dedicated computer and the new software will allow us to access the building HVAC system from anywhere; such as: home, any computer connected to the internet, or a smartphone. Any ideas or suggestions? The company that originally installed the package is no longer in business.
In the beginning of your post you suggest "Niagara". Then, later you suggest: "DO NOT invest in any proprietary BMS (do you want to only buy car parts from the car dealer!?!?)"
Can you clarify this? Because when you state Niagara typically this means communication via a proprietary method. This Niagara Framework is essentially a proprietary framework that takes in open protocols but intercommunicates between boxes in a proprietary manner.
"At this point in time Tridium is the standard for almost all control Mfgs. and will be for some time to come (Johnson, Honeywell, Carrier, AAM to name a few and.... Alterton)."
Tridium is owned by Honeywell. Alerton and Trend are owned by Honeywell.
Johnson Controls does still use in a control line this product. So does Siemens and Schneider. But, I would not expect this to last much longer. Already Schneider Electric has unveiled an alternative. Carrier is moving toward products based on their ALC acquisition. Even, AAM has a new product in place of this Niagara framework.
This Niagara box can be fine. I just would recommend against utilizing the proprietary framework for box to box intercommunication and take advantage of actual bacnet ROUTING instead. The box is capable of bacnet routing.