A building can be called an "intelligent building" even though it. is equipped with a nonintelligent control system.

Just as the capabilities of the people and companies throughout the world have been greatly influenced by the "computer revolution", the control systems of today are much more intelligent (at least they can be) than the pre-computer systems were. If a person can think of a control function or sequence and write it in logical terms, the brains of today’s direct digital control (DDC) systems can be progra~ned to perfomn that function or sequence very accurately and continuously. It can also advise the operator, by audible alarm, visual screen display, or hard copy printout, when it is unable to perform as required. Information can be automatically assembled for a tenant’s after-hours energy usage to permit accurately charging for this usage. All this "intelligence" is available in control systems, such as are being installed throughout the world today, thanks to the influence of the microprocessor and software developments.

This paper addresses many of the improvements in building environmental control systems resulting frem the proper use of carefully selected and intelligently applied DDC systems.