Johnson Controls launches Metasys 15.0 for large-scale smart buildings

Johnson Controls has introduced Metasys 15.0, an updated version of its building automation platform aimed at helping facility operators manage larger, more complex buildings and multi-site portfolios from a central point.

Metasys 15.0 now supports up to 1,000 IP devices per server, which the company says is 60% more than comparable systems. The platform can accommodate up to 50,000 objects, catering to the needs of large campuses, healthcare facilities, universities and data centre portfolios without requiring additional hardware upgrades.

The system’s architecture enables direct communication between IP devices and the server. This eliminates intermediary components and, according to Johnson Controls, may reduce infrastructure costs by as much as 60%.

The new release incorporates multi-server redundancy, providing simultaneous backup for critical alerts, trends and audit logs. This redundancy is designed to maximise uptime and ensure data availability even if a server fails, which is important for facilities in mission-critical sectors such as hospitals and data centres.

Facility teams now have access to a built-in suite of applications that provides instant insights into energy usage and emissions. This suite supports emissions tracking, benchmarking and budgeting, giving operators tools to address energy costs and environmental reporting requirements. The applications aggregate data across energy management, engineering productivity and cybersecurity operations.

Metasys 15.0 moves to a streamlined, browser-based interface for configuration and management. Facility managers can configure and manage their systems directly using a web client, cutting down equipment setup times by up to 95% compared to previous versions. This change also removes the need for server shutdowns or external support when making updates or changes to the system.

The platform continues to support a range of third-party IT and OT protocols, including BACnet, Modbus, MQTT and API integrations. This enables facility teams and service technicians to deploy Metasys 15.0 in diverse environments without being limited by vendor-specific technology.

Metasys forms part of Johnson Controls’ broader ecosystem, integrating with the company’s range of HVAC, fire and security products alongside the OpenBlue smart building suite. This combined offering is intended to support facilities in improving energy efficiency, optimising system-wide performance and delivering improved return on investment.

“Building operators today must navigate a complex landscape of energy goals, operational demands and evolving workforce needs. The latest release of Metasys delivers a secure, intuitive BMS platform that ensures reliability, simplifies energy oversight and reduces reliance on specialised labour - essential for deploying across critical applications where performance and uptime matter more than ever before. We’re thrilled to launch this highly anticipated release, a technology that symbolises the roots of Johnson Controls and where our experts continue to redefine building automation,” said Kaishi Zhang, Vice President of Product Management for Building Automation Systems, Johnson Controls.