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Types of Application Programming Generation in BMS

November 17, 2025


Building Management Systems (BMS) have evolved rapidly, and so has the way engineers create control programs. This evolution—from manual logic to AI-generated automation—is known as Application Programming Generation. Below is a short and clear overview of the five generations used in BMS.

First Generation: Manual Programming

The earliest form of BMS programming. Engineers created logic entirely by hand.
Features:

  • No templates or tools
  • Slow and error-prone
  • Required deep HVAC expertise
  • Second Generation: Text-Based / Script Programming

Logic written as text or scripts, similar to coding languages.
Features:

  • Powerful but complex
  • Needs strong programming skills
  • Harder to maintain
    Used In: Older systems like Siemens P1, JCI NCM, Honeywell Delta
  • Third Generation: Graphical / Block-Based Programming

The most common method today—engineers build logic using visual blocks.
Features:

  • Drag-and-drop design
  • Easy to visualize and troubleshoot
  • Faster and less prone to errors
    Platforms: Niagara N4, Siemens Desigo, Schneider EcoStruxure, Honeywell WEBs
  • Fourth Generation: Template-Based Programming

Predefined templates automatically generate most of the logic.
Features:

  • Ready-made AHU, VAV, FCU, chiller templates
  • Auto-generated points and SOO
  • Ensures standardization and reduces engineering time by up to 80%
    Examples: Siemens ABT Site, Schneider templates, Honeywell Profiles
  • Fifth Generation: AI-Driven & Self-Generating Logic
  • The latest, smartest generation using AI and digital twins.
    Features:
  • AI auto-creates logic
  • Self-learning HVAC optimization
  • Auto PID tuning
  • Fault detection & auto-correction
    Examples: AI extensions in Niagara, chiller plant optimizers, digital twins

Conclusion

BMS programming has evolved from manual coding → script logic → graphical blocks → templates → AI-driven automation.
Each generation made BMS systems faster to engineer, more reliable to operate, and smarter in performance.

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