Beckhoff TwinCAT Building Automation vs Distech Controls EC-Net Facilities (formerly EC-Net 4)
Beckhoff TwinCAT Building Automation
beckhoff.com
Distech Controls EC-Net Facilities (formerly EC-Net 4)
distech-controls.comSide by side
| Figure | Beckhoff TwinCAT Building Automation | Distech Controls EC-Net Facilities (formerly EC-Net 4) |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · Building Management Software | 8.4 (#1) | 7.8 (#9) |
| Engineering tools | Beckhoff describes a modular set of software tools, libraries, application samples, and ready-to-use applications for building automation engineering. | It includes a graphical engineering toolset for application development. |
| Founded | 1980 | Distech Controls was founded in 1995 in Montreal, Canada. |
| Headquarters | Verl, Germany | Distech Controls identifies Brossard, Quebec, Canada as its global head office. |
| Protocols | TwinCAT supports protocols including BACnet and DALI-2 for communication with building subsystems and devices. | The EC-Net Facilities driver guide lists Modbus, BACnet, and LonWorks among supported device networks. |
| Purpose | TwinCAT Building Automation TF8040 is a software package for energy-efficient building operation and building automation applications. | EC-Net Facilities is a Niagara Framework software platform for managing and visualizing building devices across portfolios ranging from small to large. |
| System requirements | TF8040 lists Windows 10, Windows 11, and Beckhoff RT Linux as operating systems, with x86, x64, and Arm CPU architectures. | The maker's BACnet guide instructs users to download the EC-Net Facilities software image and run its Windows x64 installer on a Supervisor PC. |
Plans
Beckhoff TwinCAT Building Automation
- TwinCAT 3 Building Automation TF8040Priced on request
Distech Controls EC-Net Facilities (formerly EC-Net 4)
No plans published.
Distech Controls EC-Net Facilities (formerly EC-Net 4) pricing →
In their own words
Beckhoff TwinCAT Building Automation
Beckhoff TwinCAT Building Automation has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Distech Controls EC-Net Facilities (formerly EC-Net 4)
Distech Controls EC-Net Facilities, formerly EC-Net 4, is a server-class platform for enterprise building management. It networks Niagara-based EC-BOS controllers and other IP devices, including Eclypse Connected IP and Wi-Fi products, and serves real-time graphical information to browser clients. Server functions include centralized data logging and trending, external database archiving, alarms, system navigation, master scheduling, and database management. A graphical engineering toolset supports application development. The platform operates with the EC-Net web-based building management system powered by the Niagara Framework, and can also run EC-Net Access for access control. Listed integrations span HVAC, lighting, energy, fire and smoke, physical access, video, and industrial or processing control. Its XML interface uses the oBIX standard. Adaptive HTML5 views support desktop, tablet, and mobile browsers. Listed security controls include role-based permissions, password requirements, login lockouts, single sign-on, Google two-factor authentication, TLS encryption, certificates, and electronic signatures. Operating system requirements include Windows 11 or 10 Pro x64, Windows Server 2022 or 2019, and Linux x64 with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.7 or Ubuntu 22.04. No software price is displayed; buyers are directed to a local agent.