Smart Controls

Mantis Solutions

Field-Level Intelligence for Real-Time Equipment Performance

Smart Controls is the field-level intelligence layer that measures conditions, drives equipment, and determines how systems actually operate in real time. Mantis designs, installs, and integrates smart controls infrastructure for data center environments, from individual sensor deployments to full field device programs supporting multi-site operations.

While your BMS coordinates systems at the supervisory level and your EPMS monitors electrical performance, Smart Controls operates at the physical infrastructure layer. It instruments equipment, executes control logic, and provides the real-time feedback required to optimize performance, protect uptime, and improve efficiency where it matters most.

Smart Controls does not operate in isolation. It forms the foundation of an integrated controls architecture where field-level intelligence feeds EPMS analysis and BMS supervision. When these layers are designed together, systems respond to real conditions instead of static schedules or manual adjustment.

For data centers where thermal margins are tight and equipment performance is non-negotiable, Smart Controls turns real operating conditions into actionable control that protects uptime and drives efficiency.
 

Key Benefits

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Reliability
Precision Sensing

Accurate, real-time readings of temperature, humidity, pressure, airflow, and occupancy deployed at the equipment and zone level to give your BMS and operations team the data they need to act.

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Improve Safty
Responsive Actuation

Variable frequency drives, valve and damper actuators, and relay-based equipment control that respond dynamically to changing load conditions, enabling fine-grained management of HVAC, cooling distribution, and power delivery.

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pue
Protocol-Agnostic Integration

Field devices that communicate via BACnet, Modbus, MQTT, and SNMP connect seamlessly into your existing BMS, SCADA, and DCIM infrastructure regardless of platform or manufacturer.

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Data Driven
Equipment-Level Optimization

Control logic tuned to the specific operating parameters of your equipment reduces wear, extends asset life, and keeps energy consumption aligned with actual load, not theoretical capacity.

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improved visibility
Improved System Responsiveness

Faster feedback loops between sensing and actuation allow systems to react to real operating conditions, stabilizing performance and protecting uptime during rapidly changing loads.

Field Device & Controls Capabilities

Mantis designs, installs, and integrates smart controls infrastructure for data center environments, from individual sensor deployments to full field device programs supporting multi-site operations.

Sensing & Monitoring Actuation & Control
Temperature and humidity monitoring Variable frequency drives (VFDs) for fan and pump control
Differential pressure monitoring for CRAC/CRAH and containment systems Valve and damper actuators
Airflow measurement and containment effectiveness monitoring Relay-based digital outputs for equipment switching
Occupancy and CO2 sensing for precision ventilation control Analog outputs for precise modulating control
Current switches and airflow switches for equipment state detection  

Platforms & Protocols

Field device integration across all major BMS platforms

Platforms: Niagara N4 · Ignition · WebCTRL · EcoStruxure · Desigo · Wonderware · Studio 5000
 

Protocols: BACnet · Modbus · MQTT · SNMP · DDC/PLC Programming · Independent Data Layer Development

Proven Results

data center

Precision Cooling Control

Maintain thermal stability at the row, rack, or zone level through high-resolution sensing and responsive fan, valve, and damper control.

 

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Dynamic Load-Based Optimization

Match equipment output to actual IT and environmental load conditions to avoid overcooling, reduce energy waste, and extend asset life.

 

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Equipment Health and State Detection

Use current switches, airflow switches, and sensor feedback to confirm equipment state, detect failures early, and support faster troubleshooting.

Additional Insight

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Next Steps

Optimize Your Equipment from the Field Up

Talk to a Mantis controls expert about designing a smart controls program that connects your field devices to your BMS and turns real-time conditions into real operational gains.
 

Featured Solutions
Smart Controls is a great solution, but do you know what makes it even greater? Pairing it with any of the offerings below!
  • Energy Procurement
  • Smart & Connected Buildings
  • Roof Asset Management
  • Utility Bill Management
  • Sustainability Consulting