A building automation and control system encompasses all control functions of one or more buildings.

In addition to typical HVAC systems, there is a need to integrate other areas of the building, such as lighting and blind control systems, fire alarm systems and access systems.

At completion the system comprises one or more superordinate management platforms that let you centrally operate and monitor the individual plants, while each plant's technical building equipment still continues to work autonomously.

Functions

Desigo CC has the following functions:

  • Central operation of HVAC processes and related areas of a building
  • Visualization, storing and interpretation of data from underlying levels
  • Control of superordinate functions (time catalogs, external process reactions)
  • Interface for external communication (alarm messages, etc.)
  • Data exchange between DDC controllers (automation level)

Requirements

Modern building automation and control systems need to fulfill the following requirements:

  • User friendliness
  • Integration capability
  • Expandability
  • Remote operability
  • Cost effectiveness

Advantages

Under the brand name Desigo™, Siemens offers a system family of complementary automation modules and management platforms for buildings and infrastructures of all types and sizes.

Desigo CC has the following advantages:

  • A uniform interface for all connected areas from heating, ventilation and air-conditioning through fire alarm systems, video solutions and intrusion alarms to access control systems.
  • Cost-effective solutions in every expansion phase through the broad scalability of the number of data points, functions, and broad integration of subsystems.
  • A state-of-the-art graphical user interface.
  • PC- or server-based management platform based on the current Microsoft operating system.

For more information on the Desigo CC management platform, see Desigo CC System Description (A6V10415500).

Architecture

The Desigo CC management platform presents a single point of entry for users to operate, monitor and optimize building automation, fire safety and security systems or a combination thereof.

Desigo CC is a flexible, full client-server architecture allowing scalability from small and medium to large and complex systems. The platform provides customizable and market-specific distributions.

Desigo CC can be installed on one single computer, with full server and client functionality. Furthermore, Installed, Web, and Windows App Clients can also be added on separate hardware. Additional system connections can be made through systems installed with Desigo CC Front End Processors (FEP) configurations. Web interfaces provide the customer an increased flexibility for operation and future extensions, e.g. mobile applications for tablets and smart phones.

Main server

The main server contains the project database and the software that monitors and commands the system network. Clients connect to this server to monitor and control the facility. If the same computer runs Microsoft IIS, the installation provides web clients with access to the facility. The Desigo CC server installation always includes an installed client with a user interface for monitoring and controlling the facility. The main server has interface connections to the field (either directly or using FEP) and provides a centralized database and other services to the connected clients. The main server can support a number of clients that are connected using a network (LAN) or Intranet (WAN).

Installed client

The Installed Client is typically used for operators who are focused entirely on monitoring and managing building systems. In this configuration, software components used for event management are locked in place and cannot be moved or covered by other applications. This ensures that critical events are never missed or hidden. Installed Clients can optionally be configured to run in a closed mode where only Desigo CC and other specifically identified applications are allowed to run. In closed mode, the workstation is dedicated to running Desigo CC, with access to the Start menu or other operating system and customer applications available only to administrative users.

Web client (browser client)

The web client is deployed on the intranet with full trust and allows access to local resources. The system runs in the Internet Explorer browser (using HTTP or HTTPS as communication protocol) and is downloaded on demand each time the user launches the system as web application. When working in a browser, you can have the same capabilities as those working on an Installed Client, or can be restricted to have different access when connected remotely.

As web clients require low latency and high network bandwidth, they are appropriate for intranet use. We do not recommend it for internet use.

See Desigo CC Installing the Web Client Application Certificate (A6V10415479).

Windows app client (ClickOnce)

The Desigo CC Windows App Client looks like the standard system software, but is a light application that can be downloaded from the Desigo CC server when connecting through a browser. When the Windows App Client is downloaded, it runs like any other Windows application on the desktop. It can be launched from the Start menu, desktop icon, quick-launch toolbar, and so on. This deployment does not require administrative privileges. The Windows App Client runs in its own pane, without the overhead of the internet browser application and menus.

Web server

To use the Desigo CC Web and Windows App Clients, you must install the web server. To install the web server, you must first install Microsoft IIS on the web server computer. Usually the web server is on the Desigo CC server. It might be located on a separate computer, if the customer's IT department requires the web server to be installed in a separate controlled environment, or if it is preferred not to use the resources of the system server for the Microsoft IIS tasks.

The web server lets you to access the system using the intranet and a web browser. You can add only one web server. It lets you download all files required for the Web Client and Windows App Client environments. It provides a system web page to access the Web Client, the Windows App Client, and the system documentation in the Internet Explorer browser. It also represents the endpoint of the communication with the system server.

Front End Processor

A Front End Processor (FEP) is a computer that provides additional connections between building level devices (such as field panels) and Desigo CC. By providing additional connections to the building level network, an FEP enables load balancing for the network-based processing for a Desigo CC system.

System Dimensioning Guide

Desigo CC covers a wide variety of solutions so that it is impossible to define simple rules for determining the size. Therefore, a system dimensioning tool is available that estimates the system size and disk storage space on the basis of information available at the time of the offer, e.g., the number and type of physical points and the expected history data base contents.