A BOS is a core platform integrating data from heterogeneous sources into a single unified interface. It's easy to say, but a few concepts and principles are necessary to understand.

Merging Static & Dynamic Data

A physical representation of a building, an HVAC architecture, a metering hierarchy have all something in common, they are Static data models which is by definition information that doesn't change over time (apart from physical changes...). The static data models are very useful to understand the relationships between each asset of a building (spaces, equipment...). They provide insights to help any third parties (human or digital) to understand a building's philosophy.

At the opposite we have various systems in the building that produces real-time data such as meters, HVAC controllers, lights, IoT... They produce Dynamic data with instant values varying over time. They can be primary values such as numeric, boolean, enumeration or more complex (JSON, csv...)

A Dynamic value on its own has a very limited use unless we know exactly which equipment it comes from, what kind of dimension it represents where is it located in a building etc. This is precisely why we merge Static data with Dynamic Data.