Interest groups still will exist under the new structure with such focuses as interoperability, education and marketing. The new organization also will continue to focus on testing and certification of products through the BACnet Testing Laboratory.
"The BMA and BIG-NA have been operating separately over the past several years with great success in promoting the BACnet standard, creating the BACnet Testing Laboratory and educating the industry," said Eric Craton, president of the BMA, in a press release. "We felt by joining forces we could more strongly articulate and demonstrate the value of open systems to the industry. Bringing these groups together also allows us to accelerate the development of tools and test processes that facilitate interoperable products and systems."
BACnet International will begin accepting memberships in 2006. Individuals and organizations interested in joining can contact BMA at (617) 426-6956, or e-mail info@bacnetassociation.org.
