Cisco Building Automation Technology

Question

Good afternoon,
I am researching into the building automation technologies that Cisco offers for our buisness. We are a university campus in Ontario, Canada and theoretically I am proposing the Energywise solution, which means that we would need to replace all (over 150) switches in our residences accross campus. I am currently waiting on a Cisco contact which I was told would come in "5-7 buisness days" however I am hoping you all here can help me as well.
I am looking into what components would be necessary for us to install/replace throughout the campus to have the Energywise solution work.
To use Energywise to control lighting, HVAC, etc. in the offices for the Housing and Residences (we are not looking into that for the entire campus - just our offices, for the current time - except for video survillance that will be incorperated), it is required that we purchase Cisco's Network Building Medators. How, exactly, do these connect to the electricity systems? It would seem as though there would be a converter from electricity to IP however I cannot find information on that anywhere. Do any of you know how that may work?
Also, does Energywise only work for Cisco products? For example:
     1. We currently have Nortel IP Phones in the offices. Would these have to be replaced with Cisco devices in order to install 3rd party applications to use the automation technology? I believe another option would to use PC applications instead of using IP Phone applications, does this theory seem reasonable?
     2. We are looking into installing a new surveillance system as well. Would the cameras and the technology to monitor and control the cameras have to be Cisco and running Cisco technology, or, as long as they are connected to the IP network through Cisco switches, would the suffice?
There are some starting questions that I have been searching for the last couple days.
Thank you for your help,
- Melissa

Answer 1

Melissa,
I don't have any experience with the mediators, but I'll see what I can dig up. I think I can answer some of your other questions though.
Also, does Energywise only work for Cisco products? No, you can install a client on servers and workstations and schedule them as well.
     1. We currently have Nortel IP Phones in the offices. Would these have to be replaced with Cisco devices in order to install 3rd party applications to use the automation technology? I believe another option would to use PC applications instead of using IP Phone applications, does this theory seem reasonable?
I'll put on my sales hat "You must replace everything that isn't Cisco!".....OK hat is now off. You can use Energywise with Nortel phones. You actually reduce/remove the power at the switch level where the PoE is supplied. There may be enhancements with using a Cisco phone, but it will work with any IP phones (wireless access points too). As I mentioned above, there is a client you can install on the workstation to put it into sleep/hibernation/power down.
     2. We are looking into installing a new surveillance system as well. Would the cameras and the technology to monitor and control the cameras have to be Cisco and running Cisco technology, or, as long as they are connected to the IP network through Cisco switches, would the suffice?
Again you could control the cameras with the switch, but by integrating Cisco IP surveillance, the value of your investment greatly increases. Here's an example. Let's say you have a camera by the fire alarm which is right inside the door (typical location). When the alarm is pulled....well that's it, the alarm went off. Leveraging a Cisco infrastructure, here is what could happen: The alarm is pulled, as soon as that is pulled, the camera powers on and starts recording. You now have video evidence of who pulled the alarm. What happens if they were wearing a mask or bad lighting, etc? If you're using Cisco card access, you can now correlate who was last through the door. The video and swipe access is now archived and time stamped for later investigation and possibly evidence. You can also have it call the fire department, your facilities people, the CEO, send an email, flash the display on an IP Phone (must be Cisco), etc. You can even have it conference all the previous listed people together.
Hope this helps.