Service life

Can a TIBA3 installation be expanded later?

Yes. TIBA3 is modularly structured and can grow along with the building.

New zones and technologies

New floors, rooms, installations, or technologies can be added to the system later without having to replace the entire existing solution.

Changing use

Changes in the use of a building can also be accommodated. When rooms are given a different function or installations are renewed, the control and visualization can be adjusted accordingly.

Phased expansion

Expansions can be carried out step-by-step. This allows a building to start with a limited scope and be further expanded later with additional technologies, measuring points, or zones.

Future-oriented design

During the design process, Fixsus therefore considers not only the current situation but also possible future expansions and changes in the building.

Can I escape the upgrade carousel with a retrofit?

Yes, that is one of the primary reasons to make the switch.

The carousel of traditional systems

Traditional systems typically require a paid upgrade every ±8 years. Those who do not upgrade lose support and the availability of spare parts.

25 years without a mandatory upgrade

The Fixsus platform is designed to last 25 years without a mandatory upgrade and is infinitely expandable. You are therefore investing in an installation that lasts, rather than a subscription to replacements.

Can I monitor multiple buildings from a single environment?

Yes. TIBA3 can integrate multiple buildings or sites into one central monitoring environment.

Overview of all locations

Users can navigate between different buildings from a single environment, with access to the corresponding dashboards, floor plans, installations, alarms, and measurement data for each site.

Central comparison

Overarching dashboards can display data from multiple buildings side by side, for example:

• energy and water consumption;
• comfort performance;
• active alarms;
• fault frequency;
• operating hours;
• performance per square meter.

Permissions per building

Access can be configured per user and per location. For instance, a local administrator may only see their own building, while a central facility manager is granted access to all sites.

Local autonomy is maintained

Each building continues to function locally on its own central installation. The overarching environment is used for central monitoring and comparison, but it is not a necessary requirement for the daily control of the buildings.

Relevant for organizations with multiple branches

This approach is suitable for healthcare groups, government agencies, educational institutions, retail organizations, and companies with a distributed building portfolio.

Can other programmers or integrators work on the installation later?

Yes. TIBA3 is deliberately designed so that the customer is not technically excluded from their own installation.

Open and transferable architecture

The installation utilizes standard industrial hardware, open communication protocols, and a structured project design. This allows a technically qualified third party to maintain, modify, or expand the installation at a later date.

Availability of information

The programming, diagrams, settings, and technical documentation can be made available to the end customer or another authorized integrator under agreed conditions.

Required expertise

Another party must possess the necessary knowledge of Beckhoff, PLC programming, building technologies, and the communication protocols used.

Controlled handover

To avoid errors, security risks, and ambiguity regarding responsibility, a handover is best conducted in a structured manner with clear agreements on source code, documentation, access rights, and liability.

Can the visualization be customized to my organization?

Yes. The TIBA3 visualization is tailored per project to the building, the users, and the information relevant to each specific role.

Custom dashboards

The home screens can be structured around the organization’s priorities, such as:

• energy consumption;
• comfort and indoor climate;
• active alarms;
• technical performance;
• room occupancy;
• performance of multiple buildings.

Different user roles

Not every user needs to see the same information. A receptionist can be given a simple control overview, while a technical manager has access to synoptics, trends, and control parameters.

Adapted to the building

Floor plans, technical diagrams, installation names, and navigation structures are built according to the actual layout and technical systems of the building.

Recognizable terminology

The naming conventions in the interface can align with the language and internal terminology of the organization. This makes operation more intuitive for daily users.

Expandable in the future

When the building, the organization, or the information requirements change, dashboards and visualizations can be further adapted or expanded.

Can TIBA3 be applied in existing buildings?

Yes. TIBA3 can be applied in both new construction projects and existing buildings.

Preservation of usable installations

During a retrofit, Fixsus examines which installations, field components, control cabinets, and cabling are still usable. Technologies that function well technically and are suitable for integration or control do not necessarily need to be replaced.

Phased renewal

The existing building management system can be completely renewed, but a phased approach is also possible. This allows specific floors, zones, or technologies to be transitioned to TIBA3 step-by-step, while the rest of the building remains operational.

Less demolition work and lower investment

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

Future-proof expansion

A retrofit with TIBA3 also provides an open foundation for future expansions. New technologies or additional zones can be added when they are due for replacement or when the building’s needs change.

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.

How does Fixsus prevent a customer from becoming dependent on a single supplier?

Fixsus deliberately chooses open communication protocols, freely programmable technology, and widely available components.

No closed ecosystem

The installation is not built around a single brand, product family, or exclusive supplier. This allows for the selection of the most suitable component for each application and ensures that long-term replacement remains manageable.

Open technology and data

This openness applies not only to communication protocols but also to hardware, programming, visualization, and data. As a result, the installation remains accessible and transferable.

Structured documentation

Programming, schematics, settings, and project documentation are managed in a structured manner. This ensures the installation remains understandable, adaptable, and expandable for technically qualified parties.

Long-term freedom

Openness does not mean that anyone without the necessary expertise should perform modifications. It does mean, however, that the customer is not technically locked into a system that can only be maintained or expanded by a single supplier.

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 long will the hardware remain available?

The availability and lifespan of the platform are aimed at 25 years.

Widely available components

Beckhoff components are widely available, including through regular electrical wholesalers. Consequently, replacement parts do not pose a problem, even in the long term.

No forced replacements

Because the hardware remains available for a long time and the installation is designed for 25 years without mandatory upgrades, you avoid the forced replacement cycles that are common with traditional systems.

What about systems that only need replacement later?

These can often already be linked via their existing interface, so that they are visible and operable on the platform.

Link first

Via BACnet, Modbus, M-Bus, or another existing interface, the systems are included in the visualization and monitoring, even if they are still running on their own controllers.

Fully integrate later

When the system is due for replacement, it is fully integrated into the platform. This ensures the transition occurs gradually and at the pace of your installation.

What are the advantages of Beckhoff technology in buildings?

Beckhoff combines industrial automation technology with an open, modular, and freely programmable architecture. This makes the platform suitable for buildings where various technical installations must work together reliably and flexibly.

Industrial reliability

The hardware is developed for continuous operation in demanding environments. This makes Beckhoff suitable for applications where operational reliability, speed, and a long service life are important.

Modular design

The installation can be built using central PLC technology, I/O stations, and communication terminals for diverse building technologies. New functions or additional zones can be added later without replacing the entire automation layer.

Open communication

Beckhoff can communicate with various bus systems and protocols. This allows components and installations from different manufacturers to be integrated within a single central control system.

Availability and replaceability

The hardware is available as standard and is not exclusively tied to Fixsus. This supports the replaceability of parts and reduces dependency on a single supplier.

The role of Fixsus

Fixsus uses Beckhoff as the technological foundation for TIBA3, combining that hardware with its own programming, visualization, control strategies, and knowledge of building technologies.

What does ‘all intelligence in one place’ mean?

With TIBA3, project-specific control intelligence is centrally housed on a single industrial PLC. The field devices and I/O islands execute their commands but do not contain any distributed project-specific logic themselves.

One central control environment

All control strategies for HVAC, lighting, sun protection, and energy management, among others, are managed from the same central environment. This makes it immediately clear where the building’s operation is determined.

Simpler diagnostics

Technicians do not have to search through different controllers, software packages, and configuration tools. Signals, settings, and controls can be checked and tested from one central structure.

Easily replaceable components

Because the project-specific intelligence is not located locally in each field device, many components can be replaced without the need to reprogram the entire control strategy.

Better collaboration between technologies

The central intelligence uses data from different installations simultaneously. For example, occupancy can control both lighting and ventilation, while room measurements determine heat and cooling production.

This architecture makes the installation clearer, easier to maintain, and simpler to expand.

What does Fixsus mean by an ‘open concept’?

By an open concept, Fixsus means that an installation is not made dependent on a single closed brand, product family, or communication environment.

Open at different levels

The openness is not only found in the communication protocols. The hardware, programming, visualization, and data are also structured in such a way that the client is not unnecessarily tied to a single supplier.

TIBA3 utilizes open and widely used protocols, such as Modbus, BACnet, KNX, DALI-2, and M-Bus. This allows devices and technical installations from different manufacturers to be integrated within a single system.

Freedom in product choice

The client can choose the most suitable product for each application and is not obliged to purchase all components within a single brand or product family.

This also ensures that future replacements and expansions remain more manageable.

Access to the installation

The installation is not intentionally locked down technically. Hardware, project information, and interfaces are managed so that a technically qualified party can maintain or expand the installation at a later date.

Technical conditions

Openness does not mean that every device can automatically communicate with every other system. A connection must be technically possible and sufficiently documented.

What if our nurse call system is no longer supported?

Various manufacturers are phasing out their support for nurse call systems. As long as everything is working, there seems to be no problem. However, without support, every defect becomes a risk.

Why waiting is risky

Spare parts become scarce, knowledge disappears, and in the event of a malfunction, your organization is on its own. Especially with nurse calls, this is unacceptable: a call that does not arrive is not a technical detail.

Switching without interruption

With Fixsus Cura, you switch to a call system that is part of the building management system. The transition takes place room by room, existing cabling is reused where possible, and residents do not need to move. The wall components fit into a standard flush-mounting box with BTicino finishing, so that existing rooms can also be included.

25 years of guaranteed support

You are not choosing a standalone care solution, but a structural integration on an open platform, with 25 years of guaranteed support. This way, you choose when to renew.

Discover Fixsus Cura

Which types of buildings is TIBA3 suitable for?

TIBA3 has been developed for professional buildings where multiple technical installations must be centrally controlled and monitored.

Broadly applicable

Fixsus works for cities and municipalities, government buildings, service companies, financial institutions, healthcare facilities, hotels, schools, industrial buildings, and real estate projects, among others.

From a single building to multiple sites

TIBA3 can be applied in a single building, but also across an entire building portfolio. Multiple sites can be monitored centrally, while each building retains its own techniques, settings, and visualization.

Scalable according to needs

The solution is always tailored to the scale of the project, the existing installations, the use of the building, and the needs of the manager and users.

Who is Fixsus?

Fixsus is a Belgian company that has specialized in building automation based on open, industrial PLC technology since 2009.

Experience and scale

With a team of 32 employees, Fixsus currently manages more than 500 buildings across various sectors.

Comprehensive in-house approach

Fixsus is responsible for design, programming, commissioning, and service. As a result, knowledge, responsibility, and follow-up remain consolidated within a single organization.

Focus on open building management

With TIBA3, Fixsus deliberately chooses central intelligence, open technology, and a long installation lifespan. The goal is to make buildings easier to manage, more energy-efficient, and to make clients less dependent on closed systems and suppliers.