Revolutionise your building management with next-generation edge technology

Are your building management systems struggling to keep pace with the demands of modern facilities? The Iona Controller represents a significant leap forward in IoT-based Building Management System (BMS) technology, offering unprecedented speed, connectivity, and integration capabilities specifically designed for UK building professionals.

Why the Iona Controller stands apart

The Iona Niagara 4 Controller delivers commissioning and station restarts 3x faster than traditional JACE controllers, dramatically reducing setup time and system downtime. This ARM-powered edge device serves as the central nervous system for your building’s operations, seamlessly connecting your various systems through multiple connectivity options:

• 2x Ethernet ports
• 2x RS485 connections
• 1x RS232 port
• 24 onboard I/O points

This robust connectivity suite allows direct integration with your existing sensors, actuators, HVAC systems, lighting controls, and more—all managed through a single, powerful device. Imagine updating your entire building’s control parameters in one-third the time it previously took, allowing you to respond to changing conditions with unprecedented agility.

LoRaWAN integration: Wireless freedom for modern buildings

The advanced IONA-I model takes connectivity further by incorporating an integrated LoRaWAN gateway. This technology enables:

• Low-power, long-range wireless communication
• Battery-powered sensor deployment throughout your facility
• Significant reduction in wiring and installation costs
• Effective retrofitting solutions for older buildings

LoRaWAN technology is particularly valuable for UK buildings where structural modifications may be restricted or prohibitively expensive. As IoT For All explains, wireless sensors can be deployed without disrupting operations or damaging historical structures—a critical consideration in a country where many commercial properties are centuries old with protected status.

Consider a Victorian-era office building in central London: installing traditional wired sensors would require drilling through listed walls and disruptive construction. With LoRaWAN integration, wireless sensors can be placed strategically throughout the building with minimal physical impact, preserving architectural integrity while delivering modern monitoring capabilities.

Integrated I/O: Direct connection without complexity

With 24 onboard I/O points, the Iona Controller allows direct connection of field devices such as:

• Temperature and humidity sensors
• Occupancy detectors
• Lighting relays and dimmers
• Valve actuators
• Air quality monitors

This integrated approach eliminates the need for additional modules in many installations, reducing system complexity, minimising latency, and simplifying troubleshooting. For facility managers, this means fewer components to maintain, faster response times, and more straightforward diagnostics when issues arise.

Technical specifications: Choose your power

Whether you’re managing a boutique office space or a sprawling university campus, there’s an Iona Controller configured to match your specific requirements and growth trajectory.

Real-world benefits for UK facilities

Implementing the Iona Controller in your building management strategy can deliver tangible benefits:

Energy efficiency

IoT-enabled BMS with LoRaWAN capabilities can reduce energy waste by 15–20% through granular monitoring and control of HVAC and lighting systems. As Zenatix notes, this level of monitoring allows for identification of energy consumption patterns that would otherwise go unnoticed.

For a typical commercial building in the UK, this translates to substantial cost savings and a reduced carbon footprint—helping meet increasingly stringent energy efficiency regulations and sustainability targets. Imagine detecting that a particular zone is being overcooled during specific periods, or identifying equipment that’s running unnecessarily during weekends—insights that traditional systems might miss.

Predictive maintenance

The integrated I/O points enable continuous equipment monitoring, allowing maintenance teams to identify potential failures before they occur. According to Phoenix Contact, this predictive approach minimises downtime and extends asset lifespans in commercial properties.

Rather than waiting for a heating system to fail during the coldest week of winter, your team receives alerts about declining performance patterns weeks in advance, allowing for scheduled maintenance during convenient periods. This shift from reactive to proactive maintenance can dramatically reduce emergency callout costs and tenant dissatisfaction.

Cost-effective retrofitting

For UK buildings where extensive rewiring is impractical, the LoRaWAN capabilities of the IONA-I model enable wireless sensor deployment throughout the facility. Tyrrell Products highlights how this approach significantly reduces installation costs while providing comprehensive monitoring capabilities.

A retrofit project that might have required weeks of disruptive construction work can now be completed in days, with minimal impact on building operations or occupants. This is particularly valuable in tenant-occupied commercial spaces where business continuity is paramount.

Implementation considerations for UK professionals

When evaluating the Iona Controller for your facility, consider these key factors:

1. Protocol compatibility: Ensure the controller will integrate with your existing BMS standards (BACnet, KNX, etc.)
2. Wireless requirements: For retrofit projects, prioritise the IONA-I with LoRaWAN to minimise installation disruption
3. Scalability needs: Select models with appropriate point licensing (available in 50-point increments) to accommodate future expansion
4. Processing requirements: Choose between ARM (efficient) and Intel (high-performance) based on your data processing needs

Every building has unique requirements, and the flexibility of the Iona Controller range ensures you can select the perfect match for your specific environment without overpaying for unnecessary capabilities.

Take the next step in building management evolution

The Iona Controller represents a significant advancement in building management technology, offering UK professionals a powerful, flexible platform for creating truly intelligent buildings. With its combination of speed, LoRaWAN integration, and comprehensive I/O capabilities, it provides an ideal foundation for both new installations and upgrades to existing systems.

Contact us today to arrange a demonstration or discuss how the Iona Controller can transform your building management strategy. Your journey toward a more efficient, responsive, and future-proof facility begins with a single, powerful device.