CAFMTEK vs BMSTEK: CAFM and BMS Explained

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In short

CAFMTEK and BMSTEK do different jobs. BMSTEK is HITEK AI's building management system: it monitors and controls building equipment such as HVAC, lighting, pumps and lifts. CAFMTEK is HITEK AI's CAFM software: it manages the assets, maintenance work, SLAs and teams behind that equipment. The two can be used together.

Applies to: Buildings using CAFMTEK, BMSTEK or both

The short difference

BMSTEK CAFMTEK
Category Building management system (BMS) Computer-aided facilities management (CAFM) software
Main job Monitor, control and optimise building equipment Manage assets, maintenance work and service delivery
Connects to DDC panels, IoT sensors and existing building systems Asset register, work orders, SLAs, inventory and contracts
Typical users Building operators, supported by HITEK AI’s Command and Control Room FM managers, supervisors and technicians
Main outputs Equipment status, on/off automation, status logs, historical performance data Work orders, PPM schedules, SLA and KPI reports
Access Operator dashboards and 24/7 remote monitoring Web app, Android and iOS apps, WhatsApp chatbot

What BMSTEK does

BMSTEK connects building systems through Direct Digital Control (DDC) panels, IoT sensors and existing infrastructure. It uses open protocols, so it can also connect to an existing BMS from another brand.

Systems BMSTEK monitors and controls:

  • HVAC: air conditioners, fans, chillers, exhaust units, split AC units, VFDs and VRF/VRV systems
  • Lighting
  • Water: plumbing, water tank monitoring, irrigation and water leak detection
  • Power: electrical meters
  • Life safety: fire alarm and firefighting equipment
  • Security and access control
  • Lifts and elevators

BMSTEK also provides equipment scheduling, status logs, historical data logging and energy optimisation. HITEK AI’s Command and Control Room monitors it 24/7.

What CAFMTEK does

CAFMTEK manages the work of running a facility:

  • the asset register
  • preventive maintenance and work orders
  • service requests
  • SLAs and KPIs
  • contracts, inventory and procurement

Its AI modules add fault detection and predictive maintenance. For the full feature list, see the CAFMTEK Fact Sheet.

How CAFMTEK and BMS data work together

CAFMTEK’s Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD) module connects to building management systems, smart meters and sensors. It can turn an equipment reading into completed maintenance work:

  1. A BMS or sensor reading on an HVAC or electrical asset breaches a set threshold.
  2. An alarm is raised, and CAFMTEK creates a work order automatically.
  3. CAFMTEK assigns the work order to a technician with the right skill set.
  4. The technician resolves the issue and closes the work order.
  5. CAFMTEK closes the related alarm automatically.

Predictive maintenance in CAFMTEK combines live BMS data with the asset’s maintenance history, so it needs both.

[CONFIRM: BMSTEK connects to CAFMTEK’s FDD module as a standard integration]

Do you need BMSTEK, CAFMTEK or both?

Your situation What fits
You need to monitor and control building equipment remotely BMSTEK
You already have a BMS, but maintenance runs on spreadsheets, paper or email CAFMTEK
You want equipment alarms to create and assign work orders automatically CAFMTEK with BMS data, through the FDD module
You have an existing BMS from another brand and want central remote monitoring BMSTEK, connected to the existing BMS

Common misunderstandings

  • “A BMS replaces CAFM software.” It doesn’t. A BMS controls equipment. It doesn’t manage the asset register, maintenance schedules, technicians, SLAs or contracts.
  • “CAFM software controls equipment.” It doesn’t. CAFMTEK manages maintenance and service work. Turning equipment on and off is done by a BMS.
  • “BMS data alone predicts failures.” Not in CAFMTEK. Its predictive maintenance also uses historical maintenance records, and accuracy improves with more data points per asset.

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