Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/178323
AKA COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATES RBC Centre, Toronto. opportune time, when a network approach to systems was becoming the norm," Lymer continues. "Until then, many systems ran on proprietary low-speed communication pathways that have become almost obsolete." MBII designed other complex building electronics systems before that opportune time, composed entirely of discrete, isolated systems. "Fast-forward 20 years, many of the old legacy systems need to be replaced," Lymer says. "We now must take new systems and try to shoehorn them into buildings designed to house their original equipment." "These buildings are fully occupied and operational. You have to do this on the ly, with minimal interruption to daily operations." It's little wonder MBII are big on convergence. The company itself emerged from the 1981 fusion of Mulvey Engineering (started in 1955) and A.H. Banani and Associates (1964). Lymer offers fond memories when he speaks of the founding partners, Gerry Mulvey and Husayn Banani 10/ AUGUST 2012 p.08-11Coverstory.indd 10 (both since retired – Mulvey to San Luis Obispo, California and Banani to eastern Ontario). "In 1987, when I joined the irm as a young engineer, I had the pleasure of working for both of them," he says. "Gerry was an absolute blast to work for. He was funny, he was engaging, he always had the time for you." "Husayn was also wonderful to work for, but more from a technical perspective. He seemed to be the glue that held everything together, the voice of reason. When Gerry would say something wonky, Husayn would temper the conversation, bring things back to earth." "Gerry made it clear that you can have fun while you work, and Husayn made it clear that while you have fun you can still maintain the quality of work. That philosophy has kept me and my partners here a very long time, and we carry on with that philosophy." "They were yin and yang. They were very dynamic, incredibly gifted, very different. I think that's what made this company work." Lymer credits the second-generation partners, particularly Myron Washchyshyn and Diego Battiston, for MBII's status in the industry. "They took what Gerry and Husayn started and they kicked it up a notch," he says. "They launched us more into the international scene, they put us on the map. We started bidding on major opportunities." Today, MBII consists of 91 people and it's still growing. To offer the electrical and electronic systems expertise MBII is known for, it has long integrated all required disciplines in-house. From engineeringintensive work such as mission-critical power interventions to the design of sophisticated sound and lighting systems, MBII brings all required expertise to bear on client projects as needed. Formalized inhouse groups include Electrical, IT/Communications and Security Engineering, Architectural Lighting and Audio/Visual Design and the latest group, Sustainable Design, a boon to clients seeking LEED certi ication. Lymer admits that convergence in building systems design is a disruptive concept to sell in the industry. "We still get pushback from system vendors," he says. "Certain irms still sell legacy-based products because that's all they have in their kit of parts right now." Some clients who consider convergence may fret about putting all their application eggs in one network basket, even though Lymer con idently states that spectres like network failure, data loss and viruses jumping across platforms pose no real threat. "There are no drawbacks that we can't take appropriate measures to prevent," he says. But convergence thrives within MBII even, and perhaps especially, when it causes disruption. "Over the last three years, we've made a concerted effort to hire young people," says Lymer, a third-generation partner who celebrated 25 years with MBII in February. Lymer enjoys watching MBII's evolution. "These young hires work out tremendously well. They add a new dynamic, a fresh approach." He sees part of that fresh approach in the nowwidespread bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend that has in iltrated companies everywhere, MBII included. "They mostly carry iPads that they have connected to the company network. They've done this on their own. It's not something we've necessarily supported." Neither has MBII insisted that staff always use company-issued BlackBerries. "I know they're getting their emails off other toys, but I don't know how they do it," Lymer admits. "They manage to do 12 other things we probably don't know about, get their work done on time, and ask for more work, so it's all good." "They're pushing us, and we like to be pushed," he adds. "We're in the business of consulting on groundbreaking technology and need to be well-versed." He can already imagine how clients will handle their electronic systems down the road. "Thinking ahead 20 years, where we have a common platform and a bulletproof network, if we swap out one of these systems, it would be more of a plug-and-play operation." "The whole system is almost becoming a piece of software. Theoretically, you could dump your old system in one hour and boot up your new system in the next. That's what I foresee –changing an application rather than changing hardware." Lymer has a tougher time describing how the future of building electronics will appear to ordinary people. "I foresee a lot more automation and integration in applications at all levels, from workstation to the entire building environment," he says. "It's like in movies like Minority Report, with videos and information everywhere. It's hard to put into words." ■ Mulvey & Banani International Inc. 7/13/12 9:52 AM