Modern asset management, sustainability, and customer satisfaction demands require facilities to implement complex, smart systems and devices. In order to maximize their utility, these disparate yet complementary technologies should be integrated into a single interface. Integrating system components helps facility managers to better monitor and control assets and resources, ultimately improving responsiveness while reducing overall costs and energy demands.
How is this integration achieved? A Master Systems Integrator.
What is a Master Systems Integrator?
A Master Systems Integrator (MSI) is an individual or company responsible for integrating and managing various complex systems or sub-systems into a single, cohesive, and functional system. They participate in and oversee the integration of critical building management systems such as security systems, fire protection, HVAC, lighting control, and access control systems to ensure smart automation of a facility is both possible and effective.
The MSI works closely with the customer to understand their requirements and then develops a detailed plan for integrating their various systems. This plan includes the selection of hardware and software components, the design of the network infrastructure, and the deployment of the integrated systems. The MSI also provides ongoing support and maintenance services to ensure the continued performance and reliability of the integrated systems.
Their plan and support ensure the integration of technology, software, hardware, and other components to deliver a complete solution to a customer.
The MSI coordinates the installation and commissioning of these systems, ensuring that they work together seamlessly to provide a secure and comfortable environment for the building’s occupants.
Why do you need a Master Systems Integrator?
The MSI acts as a project manager, coordinating the efforts of multiple sub-contractors and suppliers to ensure that the final product meets the customer’s requirements. This is important because most buildings utilize a variety of technologies installed and provided by multiple vendors. In order to accomplish a fully integrated building, an MSI would orchestrate the design and integration of these technologies, ensuring uniform integration and sustainability.
The MSI participates in the development of phasing plans based on in-progress design drawings, prepares schedules or estimates related to in-progress systems design drawings, and provides value engineering services related to in-progress design drawings. They also field verify in-progress design drawings and oversee outreach to, and investigation of trade Contractors and the procurement of subcontract packages related to systems. The MSI provides coordination services to ensure systems requirements are integrated into project planning, design, installation, testing and commissioning phases.
Having an MSI on board from the planning stages of a project allows for overall infrastructure integration per the owner’s needs & requirements. The advantages of a single infrastructure extend into almost every aspect of a facility, including reduced up-front construction costs, lower life-cycle costs, improved system management, enhanced back-office reporting, better service, and proactive maintenance.
Effective system integration lowers costs and increases value over the project lifecycle.
In an airport setting, for example, an MSI can be used in large-scale reconstruction projects to coordinate the integration of various systems and sub-systems outlined below to ensure a seamless passenger experience:
- Access Control System
- Video Management System
- Passive and Active IT systems
- Fire Protection Systems
- Terminal Announcements System
- Electrical Power / Lighting
- Common-Use/ FIDS / MUFIDS / BIDS
- Baggage Handling systems
- Building Management System
- Queue Management System
Overall, organizations seeking to seamlessly integrate multiple systems, reduce costs, improve reliability and performance, and provide a single point of accountability for their entire important project should engage a Master Systems Integrator.
Contact info@aroraengineers.com today to learn more about MSI’s and the benefits they present!
FAQs
In this role, Arora assists our clients in managing multiple architects, engineers, constructors, schedules, and budgets. The MSI acts as a project manager, coordinating the efforts of multiple sub-contractors and suppliers to ensure that the final product meets the customer's requirements.
What does a master systems integrator do? ›
The Role of an MSI in Smart Building Development
They work with building owners, architects, engineers, and contractors to design and implement a building automation system (BAS) that integrates all building systems. The MSI also ensures that the BAS is scalable and can accommodate future upgrades and expansions.
What does a system integration engineer do? ›
What Does a Professional in this Career Do? Implements, integrates and troubleshoots computer, information and software systems, including software and hardware components. Ensures that data flows from one application to another. Synchronizes information and data systems ensuring interoperability between data sources.
What are the 4 stages of system integration? ›
The system integration life cycle encompasses several stages to ensure seamless integration of various software components and systems. The typical order of these stages includes – Planning, Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing, Deployment, Monitoring, Maintenance and Optimization, Documentation, and End-of-Life.
What is the difference between system integrator and engineer? ›
Systems integrators may work primarily with information technologies systems or they may work with embedded technologies; there can of course be a blurry line between the two. Integration application engineers are primarily concerned with integrating enterprise systems.
What is the purpose of the integrator? ›
An integrator in measurement and control applications is an element whose output signal is the time integral of its input signal. It accumulates the input quantity over a defined time to produce a representative output. Integration is an important part of many engineering and scientific applications.
How much do system integration engineers make in the US? ›
As of Mar 18, 2024, the average annual pay for a Systems Integration Engineer in the United States is $157,042 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $75.50 an hour. This is the equivalent of $3,020/week or $13,086/month.
What is the career path of a system integration engineer? ›
Systems Integration Engineer career paths
In the field of information technology, they can become an information technology project manager, information technology infrastructure manager, or information technology director. Some may even become a director of information technology services.
What is system integration and when do you need IT? ›
System integration acts as an interpreter between different codes, programming languages, and hardware, allowing data to flow seamlessly and uninterrupted. It enables the convergence of information between all business systems, ensuring a centralized network and consistent architecture.
What is an example of a system integrator? ›
For example, a casino might use a networked system that interfaces with architectural lighting, stage lighting, special effects (such as fog machines or fountains), and media content routed to a media server.
In very broad terms, system integration is the process of connecting different sub-systems (components) into a single larger system that functions as one.
What is an example of system integration in real life? ›
For example, a separate accounting system could track finances; a web analytics system could manage website traffic; and a customer resource management (CRM) system would integrate Salesforce. Depending on the organizational needs, data from each system could be pulled and combined.
What are the 3 popular types of system integration? ›
Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) Data Integration (DI) Electronic Document Integration/Interchange (EDI)
What makes a good system integrator? ›
Systems integrators are often able to solve complex software, hardware and network problems when they occur. They may be able to think creatively, quickly and logically to find solutions and design strategies that meet their customers' needs. Problem-solving skills include having an open mind and accepting criticism.
What does system integration department do? ›
The Systems Integration Specialist's role is to participate in the planning, coordination, and solution development and implementation activities related to the integration of applications and technologies within the organizations application integration environment.
What is a system integrator example? ›
On broad terms in the IT world, a Systems Integrator (“SI”) is regarded as a company that specializes in implementing, planning, coordinating, scheduling, testing, improving and sometimes maintaining IT systems. Good examples of SIs are, e.g., Deloitte, IBM, Accenture, TCS, etc.
What is MSI in construction? ›
In a commercial building, that's the job of a master systems integrator (MSI). An MSI plans, designs, and oversees all components of integrated building management systems.
