A database is an organized collection of data, usually stored in electronic form. A database management system (DBMS) is a computer program that enables one to create and maintain a database.
A Building Management System (BMS) is a type of DBMS that is specifically designed to manage the data of a building or group of buildings. A BMS typically includes hardware and software components that collect, store, analyze, and report data from a building’s various subsystems, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, security, fire safety, and so on. The goal of a BMS is to optimize the performance of a building by controlling its environment and systems in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for the occupants in terms of comfort, safety, and energy efficiency.
Data collected by a BMS can be used to monitor and control a building’s systems in real-time or near-real-time; to generate reports on the status of the building or specific systems; or to provide long-term trending data that can be used for historical analysis or predictive modeling.