Costs

Are energy savings included in the Fixsus TCO comparison?

No — intentionally not. The TCO comparison only calculates implementation, upgrades, and service.

42% of the cost of a traditional system

The TCO comparison shows that over 25 years, a Fixsus installation costs approximately 42% of a traditional system, based purely on implementation, upgrades, and service.

Energy savings are an additional benefit

Energy savings resulting from superior control are not included in that calculation. Therefore, the actual benefit over the lifespan of the installation is even greater than the TCO comparison indicates.

Can a retrofit be carried out in phases?

Yes. An existing installation does not always have to be completely replaced at once. Fixsus can divide a retrofit into logical phases, tailored to the technical condition, the available budget, and the operation of the building.

Starting with the highest priorities

The first phase can, for example, focus on:

• installations with the most frequent malfunctions;
• technologies with the highest energy consumption;
• zones with comfort issues;
• outdated controls that are no longer supported;
• components that pose a risk to operational reliability.

Retaining existing components

Sensors, valves, motors, meters, cabling, and other usable components can be retained and integrated wherever possible. Only what is technically insufficient, defective, or cannot be linked needs to be replaced.

One future-oriented final concept

Although the implementation takes place in phases, an overarching architecture is determined in advance. This ensures that later expansions connect to the same central control, communication principles, and visualization.

Temporary collaboration between old and new

During the transition, existing subsystems can temporarily continue to function alongside TIBA3. Available data and main commands can already be brought together centrally where possible.

Spreading investment and disruption

A phased approach makes it possible to spread investments over several budget years and to coordinate work with renovations, vacancy, or planned maintenance moments.

Can existing cabling be reused during a retrofit?

In many cases, yes. During the preparation phase, Fixsus examines which existing power, bus, and signal cables are technically suitable for reuse.

What can potentially be retained?

Depending on the existing installation, cables to sensors, valves, motors, pumps, meters, and other field components, among others, can be retained.

Existing bus cabling and power supplies can also sometimes be reused if they meet the technical requirements of the new installation.

Technical inspection

Reuse is not automatic. Fixsus assesses, among other things:

• the condition and age of the cabling;
• the cable type and wire cross-section;
• the length and topology;
• the electrical load;
• the suitability for the communication protocol used;
• the available diagrams and documentation.

Where necessary, measurements, checks, or tests are carried out.

Benefits of reuse

By retaining existing cabling where possible, demolition work, material usage, execution time, and investment costs can be limited.

Do all existing installations need to be replaced during a retrofit?

No. During a retrofit, Fixsus first examines which existing components, cabling, control cabinets, and technical installations are still usable.

Retention of usable parts

Installations that function well technically and possess suitable communication or control options can often be retained.

This may apply to, among others:

• sensors;
• valves;
• motors;
• pumps;
• frequency drives;
• energy meters;
• cabling;
• parts of existing control cabinets.

Assessment per component

Which parts can be retained is determined based on their:

• technical condition;
• age;
• available documentation;
• communication or control options;
• operational reliability;
• expected remaining lifespan.

Targeted replacement

Only components that are technically obsolete, unreliable, or cannot be integrated are replaced. This allows the central control system to be renewed without automatically rebuilding the entire installation.

Lower investment and less disruption

By retaining usable infrastructure, material usage, demolition work, execution time, and investment costs can be limited.

Do I need licenses per user or per screen?

No. TIBA3 does not operate with individual licenses per user, workstation, or screen.

No limit on the number of users

Multiple users can access the same installation, each with their own account and rights profile.

No license per device

The visualization can be opened on various PCs, tablets, smartphones, and fixed information screens without requiring a separate client license for each device.

Simultaneous use

Different users can work with the installation simultaneously, provided that access rights and technical infrastructure permit.

Roles and access rights

Although the number of users is not limited by licenses, user management determines which information and functions are available to each person.

For example, a receptionist may only be able to control rooms, while a technical manager is granted access to more extensive settings and analyses.

How is a quotation prepared?

The quotation is structured based on clear line items and pre-determined unit prices.

Transparent price structure

The various components of the project are listed separately, for example:

• I/O points;
• control cabinets;
• field devices;
• programming;
• integrations;
• commissioning;
• service and training.

This ensures visibility regarding which components are included in the price.

Established unit prices

Wherever possible, Fixsus works with fixed unit prices per item. This allows the client to better evaluate and compare the quotation.

Additional and reduced work

If the scope changes during the project, additional and reduced work will be settled according to the same agreed unit prices.

This prevents subsequent changes from being calculated on an opaque or entirely new price basis.

Aligned with the scope of work

The quotation aligns with the agreed division of tasks between Fixsus, the installer, and other involved parties. This clarifies which deliveries and activities are or are not included in the price.

How long does a Fixsus installation last?

A Fixsus installation is designed for a lifespan of 25 years without mandatory platform upgrades.

Long lifespan as a core principle

The central architecture, industrial Beckhoff hardware, and open technology are selected with long-term availability, maintainability, and replaceability in mind.

No mandatory upgrade cycle

With traditional building management systems, customers are often forced to renew controllers, software, or licenses after just a few years to maintain support.

TIBA3 is designed to continue functioning throughout its intended lifespan without mandatory, paid platform upgrades being imposed.

Replaceable components

When an individual part fails or reaches the end of its technical lifespan, that component can be replaced without automatically renewing the entire installation.

Expandable during its lifespan

New rooms, technologies, and functions can also be added to the installation at a later stage. This allows the installation to grow alongside changes in the building and its use.

Lower total cost of ownership

The long lifespan, the avoidance of mandatory upgrade cycles, and the replaceability of individual parts help to limit the total cost over the entire period of use.

How much does a service contract cost?

The indicative price depends on the project size; for a binding price, Fixsus will provide a customized quote.

Indicative prices per year

• project of €30,000: approx. €3,185 (Total Care +), €2,181 (Standard), or €1,458 (Basic);
• project of €100,000: approx. €5,495 (Total Care +), €4,211 (Standard), or €2,998 (Basic).

Customized quote

The right formula and price depend on your installation and your own technical organization. Based on this, Fixsus will provide a customized quote.

Is retrofitting not more expensive than simply installing everything new?

Usually, it is quite the opposite: by reusing cabling, field devices, and cabinets, the investment is significantly lower than with a full replacement.

Reuse reduces investment costs

Everything that is usable remains: signal cables, sensors, valves, and cabinets. Only what is outdated or proprietary is replaced. This makes a significant difference in both costs and disruption.

No recurring upgrade costs

Furthermore, with the open platform, you avoid the recurring upgrade costs associated with traditional systems. The savings are therefore found not only in the initial investment but also in the years to follow.

What exactly does Total Care entail?

Total Care is the service package through which Fixsus continues to provide technical monitoring for an installation even after completion.

Three service packages

Fixsus offers three packages:

• Total Care + for maximum peace of mind;
• Total Care Standard for extensive monitoring and support;
• Total Care Basic for essential service functions.

What is included in every package

Each package includes, among other things, secure remote access, trending, email notifications for alarms, access to the spare pool, monthly backups, an intervention log, and operational support during maintenance.

Differences between the packages

The packages differ in the level of proactive monitoring, interventions, reporting, updates, warranties, and support.

In addition to Basic, Total Care Standard includes urgent remote interventions, monitoring of trends and notifications, SMS notifications, support for daily operations, proposals for adjustments, and reporting.

Total Care + adds features such as automatic and security-oriented updates, urgent on-site interventions, extended software and hardware warranties, summer and winter start-ups, and periodic checks of comfort objectives.

Tailored to the organization

The appropriate package depends on the project size, the criticality of the installation, and the extent to which the client has their own technical organization.

A service contract is not a technical obligation, but a choice for peace of mind, continuity, and proactive monitoring.

What makes Fixsus different from traditional BMS providers?

Fixsus distinguishes itself through a combination of a unique customer approach, open technology, direct service, and a lower total cost over the installation’s entire lifespan.

The operator is central

In traditional projects, the building management system is often primarily evaluated during design and implementation. Fixsus starts from the perspective of the party that must manage and operate the building for years to come.

Therefore, the focus is not only on the initial investment, but also on ease of use, maintainability, energy performance, scalability, and long-term service.

Open and industrial technology

TIBA3 is built around open, industrial PLC technology. Hardware, communication, data, and programming are intentionally organized so that the customer does not become dependent on a single closed brand or exclusive supplier.

Direct service and in-house expertise

Design, programming, commissioning, and service are all handled within Fixsus. As a result, technical knowledge remains concentrated within a single organization, and the customer can rely directly on the specialists who know the system.

Lower total cost over the lifespan

The open architecture, long lifespan, replaceable components, and absence of mandatory periodic platform upgrades help to limit the total cost of ownership.

The difference, therefore, lies not only in the technology used, but in the entire approach: from concept and implementation to operation, support, and further expansion.