The Niagara Framework

The One Truly Unified Communications Platform

NiagaraAX is a software framework and development environment that solves the challenges associated with building Internet-enabled products, device-to-enterprise applications and distributed Internet-enabled automation systems.

NiagaraAX builds on the pioneering capabilities of Niagara R2, originally introduced in 1999, and the experience gained in deploying over 96,000 Niagara-based products operating in over 6,000 installations worldwide. Niagara R2 introduced the concept of a software framework that could normalize the data and behavior of diverse devices, regardless of manufacturer or communication protocol, to enable the implementation of seamless, Internet-connected, web-based systems. NiagaraAX takes that concept to the next level.

The core concept of Niagara is its unique, patented component model that transforms the data from diverse external systems into uniform software components. These components form the foundation for building applications to manage and control the devices. In Niagara R2, the component model focused primarily on modeling data from the various systems to create a uniform data set for applications. The NiagaraAX component model goes beyond unifying protocols and data from diverse systems, to unify the entire development environment used to build applications.

To integrate diverse systems a physical connection to a device's network is required. The Java Application Control Engine (JACE) is the mechanism that provides this connectivity to systems within a building. By connecting common network protocols such as LonWorks, BACnet, and Modbus, along with many proprietary networks a unified system without seams emerges. Scalability and reliability concerns are avoided with the unique distributed architecture that a network of JACE's creates.

Vykon is a complete management and control suite that orchestrates the building automation, energy, and security functions of a facility by means of a single software platform. Vykon integrates diverse systems and devices - regardless of manufacturer or communications protocol - into a unified platform that can be easily managed and controlled in real time over the Internet using a standard web browser.

Vykon utilizes a highly scalable architecture that fits any size facility or enterprise. It has been used in office buildings, data centers, hotels, airports, industrial plants, convenience stores, restaurants, churches, schools, universities, and other facilities. Vykon provides a 360 degree view into the operational assets of any facility, allowing managers to optimize their applications, enhance performance efficiencies, reduce operational costs, and gain actionable intelligence to drive decisions resulting in greater returns.

To learn more about NiagaraAX we recommend the following articles:

• About Niagara
• Niagara Framework
• JACE