How to Discover and Create Schedules

How to Discover and Create Schedules

Schedules are the programming logic used to manage the time-based operation of HVAC equipment (VAVs, AHUs, FCUs) and other devices, ensuring they run only when needed.

The following guide details how to discover and manage schedules within the KODE OS platform.


Discovering Existing Schedules

Schedules in KODE OS are usually pulled from a connected Data Source, such as a Niagara BMS or another building control system.

Schedule Discovery
is how KODE OS pulls schedules that are already set up in a connected Data Source (BMS), so you can manage them centrally in the platform. This process gives users a single, centralized place to manage all building schedules without losing any data or having to recreate schedules manually.

To initiate the discovery of schedules, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the Data Sources module on the left navigation menu.

  1. Find the desired Data Source and click the three-dot menu (...) at the end of the row.
  2. Select Discover Schedules.

  3. An Activity Log pop-up will appear at the bottom right, confirming when the discovery process is Completed.

  1. Clicking on the blue arrow will navigate you to the Schedule Discovery page. Here, you will see a list of schedules available on the data source.
  2. Select the desired schedules from the list (you can select all using the header checkbox or select individual rows).

  1. Click the Add to Database button in the bottom right corner. You'll receive a confirmation message that the schedule was saved successfully.
  2. Click Complete Discovery at the top right corner to finalize the discovery session.

Once this process is complete, you can navigate back to the Schedules module on the left navigation menu. All the schedules you discovered are now listed here.


Creating New Schedules

To create a new schedule in KODE OS:

  1. Navigate to the Schedules module through the left-hand menu.
  2. Click the Create Schedule button in the top right corner.

  1. In the Create New Schedule pop-up, enter the Name, select the Folder, and choose the Data Source.

  1. Type: Choose Weekly Schedule (for regular weekly usage) or Calendar Schedule (for special events and holidays).

  1. Kind (applicable to Weekly Schedules): Select the data type that matches the points you'll command:

            ○     Boolean Schedule: For true/false commands (most common for Occupied/Unoccupied).

            ○     Numeric Schedule: For setpoint values (outputs a number).

            ○     Enum Schedule: For multi-state points.

  1. Click Save, and you’re done.

 

Main Features After Schedule Creation

Once a schedule is created, the Schedule Details & Properties page displays some key settings, as shown below.

●     Schedule Details & Properties: This top section contains configuration settings:

      ○       Schedule Name/Display Name

      ○       Data Source

      ○       Kind

      ○       Effective Period & Default Output:
    1.  Effective Start/End: Defines the date range during which the schedule is active.
    2. Default Value: The output value that the point receives when there are no active scheduled events. The Key/Value pairs (e.g., falseText/false, trueText/true) define the schedule's available command outputs.

●     Weekly Schedule Tab: Here, you define repeating events for each day of the week, setting the start time, end time, and the corresponding output value (e.g., true for occupied).

●     Special Events Tab: This section is used to manage exceptions to the regular Weekly Schedule, such as holidays or specific overrides.

Weekly Schedules and Special Events

Weekly Schedules Tab

The Weekly Schedule Tab is where you define routine operating times. The schedule controls must be set here for the control logic to take effect.


Creating Events

In the Weekly Schedule tab, when clicking anywhere on an empty slot (e.g., for Monday), a pop-up menu appears, offering the following options for creating or managing events:

●     Create Event: Define a custom start/end time and select the output value (True or False).

●     All Day Event: Quickly sets a single state for 24 hours. By default, the value will be true (occupied).

●     Clear Week: Removes all events from the entire schedule week.

 

Managing Existing Events

When clicking on an existing event, a separate menu provides options for management, such as editing the event, deleting the event, applying it from Monday to Friday, applying it to every day of the week, or clearing the whole week’s slot.

 

Special Events Tab

The Special Events tab is used to add exceptions or overrides to the regular Weekly Schedule, such as holidays or specific shutdowns.

To create a new Special Event:

  1. In the Weekly Schedule's Special Events tab, click + New Event.

  1. This opens the Add Special Event pop-up, where you provide the event a Name and select its Type. You will then configure the date parameters for the special event.

  1. Lastly, hit Save, and the new Special Event will be created.


Using the Reference Type

Selecting the Reference type is the most efficient and scalable way to manage recurring, global exceptions like holidays.

When selected, the system prompts you to choose an existing Calendar Schedule. This creates a centralized link; the Weekly Schedule automatically inherits all exception dates from the referenced Calendar Schedule, ensuring consistency and saving time.

After linking the reference, you must define the time and command value (e.g., All Day Event set to False) that should apply on those referenced dates.


Calendar Schedules

Calendar Schedules
define central lists of specific exception dates (like holidays or maintenance days). They do not command equipment directly; instead, they serve as a master list that can be referenced by multiple Weekly Schedules. This allows for centralized management of exceptions.

How to Create a Calendar Schedule

  1. Navigate to Schedules and click the Create Schedule button.
  2. In the pop-up, give the schedule a Name and select the schedule Type as Calendar Schedule.

  1. Click Save.
  2. In the new schedule's details, click + New Event.
  3. In the Add Special Event pop-up, provide a name, and select a date Type.
  4. Configure the date settings (e.g., set Year - Any for a recurring holiday) and save.
  5. Click Save on the main page to finalize the Calendar Schedule.


Linking Points to a Schedule (Point Referencing)

Schedules most commonly target points on devices such as: VAVs (occupancy), AHUs (fan status), and FCUs (zone control).

After creating a schedule, you must link it to the specific points on the devices that the schedule will control. The Point References section is where the schedule's logic is applied to devices.

To add point references to a schedule, follow these steps:

  1. Open the schedule’s details by clicking on its name.
  2. Navigate to the Point References button on the top right corner.
  3. Click on the edit button (indicated by the pencil symbol) and then click the "Add Point Reference" option.
  4. Use the filters (Data Source, Area, Device Type, Point Kind, and Field) to quickly narrow down the specific points you want to command.

  1. On the next screen, select the points you want to link to the schedule.

  1. Click Apply Point Reference, then hit Save on the top right corner of the main page.

Point Reference Type Relation (Direct vs. Indirect):

The Type defines whether KODE OS controls the schedule link in the underlying Building Management System (BMS):

●     Direct: KODE OS is in Charge.
      KODE OS actively tells the BMS to create the schedule link. It writes the connection directly into the BMS so the schedule works everywhere.

●     Indirect: BMS is in Charge.
      The schedule link already exists in the BMS. KODE OS only tracks and monitors this link but does not try to send or write any control information back to the BMS.


How to View if a Point is Being Commanded (Occ Cmd Command Window)

To verify the schedule's live command:

  1. From the schedule's Point References page, click on the specific point link (e.g., an Occupancy Cmd point).
  2. This takes you to the Point Details page. Locate the Occ Cmd (Occupancy Command) or Command section.
Check the command hierarchy. If the schedule is running in an active time slot, its output value (e.g., true) will be visible at its dedicated priority level, confirming it is currently sending the command.

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