Siemens Challenge Focuses on America's Smartest Buildings

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- America's collective IQ, from pre-school kids to octogenarians, continues to be the focus of heated study, measurement and debate.  Now a new challenge from Siemens Industry, Inc. puts the intelligence of buildings in the United States to the test.

The Smartest Building in America™ challenge looks at how people use the sophisticated technology that keeps America's buildings operating.  Anyone may submit a nominating entry for a building that operates either APOGEE® or TALON® building automation systems, the challenge looks for innovative and creative approaches taken by facility managers.

"The challenge is really designed to recognize the intelligence and ingenuity of the men and women who manage America's buildings," says Christoph Vogel, Vice President of Control Products and Systems (CPS), Building Technologies Division of Siemens.  "The United States has a small army of facility managers and building engineers who work under tremendous pressure to balance priorities - control lighting, increase efficiency, prevent fires, meet security and emergency requirements and maintain budgets. When you think of the variety of ways we use buildings and the number of people going in and out every day, you realize how monumental their job is to keep this country in business. This challenge gives facility managers and engineers a chance to illustrate their creativity and hard work."

Participants are asked to submit brief videos that explain why their buildings are the smartest in America.  They can submit their entry form and video at:

http://www.smartestbuildinginamerica.com/

A panel consisting of leading authorities in facility management, such as Jim Sinopoli, Managing Principal, Smart Buildings, and Robert Beverly, Editor, Engineered Systems Magazine, will judge the entries.  Two prizes will be awarded to each product category — APOGEE and TALON.  Grand-prize winners will receive $25,000 in products and services from the Building Technologies Division or a $25,000 contribution to a qualified charity of their choice.  Runner-up prize winners will receive $15,000 in products and services from the Building Technologies Division or a $15,000 contribution to a qualified charity of their choice.  Go to www.smartestbuildinginamerica.com for more information.

The Siemens APOGEE Building Automation System provides an open system architecture that allows all of the information throughout a facility to be accessible to everyone who needs it, when and where they need it. APOGEE System's backward and forward compatibility help facilities of all types improve performance, expand functionality and adapt to the future.  

The Siemens TALON Building Control System provides integrators with an open architecture based on BACnet or LonTalk® protocols.  Its benefits include unlimited flexibility and project management tools to keep projects on schedule and within budget. Its wireless sensors help improve a building operator's return on retrofit investment, fulfill new tenant needs and ensure building and energy efficiency.

About Siemens

Siemens Industry, Inc. (SII) is the U.S. affiliate of Siemens' global Industry Sector business - the world's leading supplier of production, transportation and building technology solutions. The company's integrated hardware and software technologies enable comprehensive industry-specific solutions for industrial and infrastructure providers to increase their productivity, sustainability and profitability.  The Industry Sector includes six divisions: Building Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility, Drive Technologies and OSRAM SYLVANIA.  With nearly 222,000 Siemens Industry Sector employees worldwide, the Industry Sector posted a worldwide profit of $2.7 billion on revenues of $47.7 billion in fiscal 2009.  www.usa.siemens.com/Industry

A division of Siemens Industry, Inc. (SII), Building Technologies (BT) Division is a leading provider of energy and environmental solutions, building controls, electrical distribution equipment, fire safety and security systems solutions.  BT's solutions enable America's buildings to be more comfortable, secure and environmentally friendly as well as less costly to operate. With a U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove, Ill., BT employs 7,400 people and provides a full range of services and solutions from more than 100 locations coast-to-coast. Worldwide, the company has 28,000 employees and operates from more than 500 locations in 51 countries. The Building Technologies Division posted worldwide revenues of $8.1 billion in fiscal 2009.

www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies

SOURCE Siemens Industry, Inc.