Frequently Asked Questions.
What does Bitdash Graphics do?
We design command-grade visuals that turn Niagara N4 data into clean dashboards and graphics. Our goal is to make building automation interfaces feel modern, consistent, and easy to operate — without unnecessary complexity.
What is the Niagara Framework (Niagara N4)?
Niagara N4 is a platform used in building automation and IoT to integrate, monitor, and control systems like HVAC, lighting, energy, and sensors — often across multiple buildings and sites.
Who is Bitdash Graphics for?
Bitdash is built for system integrators, automation engineers, consulting engineers, and facility teams who run Niagara-based systems and want better visuals, stronger standards, and faster delivery.
What problems do you solve in Niagara graphics projects?
We solve the problems that cause delays and frustration:
• Inconsistent graphics standards across technicians
• Maintenance headaches from non-native approaches
• Connectivity and performance issues that impact the operator experience
• UIs that look dated or confuse end users
What do you mean by “turning data into visuals”?
We take raw system information — temperatures, statuses, alarms, trends, equipment states — and convert it into visual dashboards that help people understand what’s happening at a glance.
What’s the difference between a Niagara “graphic” and a “dashboard”?
A graphic is typically an equipment or system screen (AHU, VAV, chiller, boiler). A dashboard is the “command center” view — summary tiles, KPIs, alarms, trends, and navigation that guides operators.
Do you work with Niagara AX and Niagara N4?
Yes. We focus on the Niagara ecosystem, including Niagara AX and Niagara N4, and we design approaches that make modernization and standardization easier.
Why does “standards” matter so much in Niagara graphics?
Because without standards, every technician builds screens differently — and you end up with:
• Inconsistent navigation
• Different symbols and naming
• Unpredictable alarm/trending layouts
• Higher training and support cost
• Standards make your UI scalable.
What is a Niagara graphics template?
A template is a prebuilt structure you can reuse to speed up delivery and enforce consistency — page layouts, navigation patterns, styling, and common pages like alarms and trends.
What is FLEX?
FLEX is our Niagara graphics template designed to help teams build a consistent, modern station faster. It includes prebuilt pages and a foundation you can extend into your own standards.
What comes inside FLEX?
FLEX includes a set of ready-to-use pages and examples that help teams standardize quickly — things like:
• Homepage layout
• Alarm and history/trending pages
• Settings/navigation structure
• Equipment examples you can replicate
Do I need a Niagara Workbench license to use FLEX?
Yes. To work inside Niagara and use station content properly, you need a valid Niagara Workbench license.
Can I reuse FLEX across multiple projects?
Yes. FLEX is intended to be reused as a standards foundation so your team can apply a consistent approach across multiple stations and deployments.
Do you offer custom Niagara graphics work?
Yes. We do custom work from single equipment graphics all the way to full campus or multi-site dashboards, depending on your scope and priorities.
What are custom Niagara .jar modules?
Custom .jar modules allow you to extend and tailor the Niagara user experience — custom UI components like:
• Buttons
• Gauges
• Navigation layouts
• Specialized widgets
They’re ideal when you want a truly differentiated, consistent UI.
What is “native” Niagara graphics, and why does it matter?
“Native” means the UI is built to operate cleanly inside the Niagara platform. Native approaches typically reduce long-term friction because you’re not depending on external tools or workflows that create extra complexity.
Do you replace third-party graphics tools?
In many cases, yes — especially when teams want to simplify maintenance and standardize delivery. Some teams still use third-party tools for specific use cases, but we specialize in a Niagara-first approach.
What causes inconsistent graphics across technicians?
Common causes include:
• No documented UI standard
• No reusable template foundation
• Rushed deadlines
• Multiple developers with different styles
We help by building a repeatable baseline so “quality” isn’t dependent on who touched the station last.
Can you help us create a “house style” for our company?
Yes. A house style typically includes:
• Page layouts
• Icon/symbol rules
• Spacing and typography rules
• Color and status conventions
• Naming conventions
• Navigation hierarchy
We help teams formalize and implement.
How do you make Niagara dashboards look modern?
Modern dashboards usually come down to:
• Strong visual hierarchy (what matters most is biggest/clearest)
• Consistency in spacing, font size, and alignment
• Clean navigation patterns
• Clear status visuals (live/stale/disconnected)
• Less clutter, more clarity
Do your dashboards work on mobile, kiosks, and tablets?
We design visuals so they can support real-world usage patterns across devices — especially where operators need quick clarity and fast navigation.
Why do building automation dashboards feel slow sometimes?
Slowness can come from several layers — station structure, rendering choices, network paths, and how data is being served. We aim to design UIs that are clean, efficient, and operator-friendly so performance issues aren’t made worse by the UI.
What’s the best way to reduce alarm noise for operators?
Start with the UI fundamentals:
• Alarm prioritization and filtering
• Clear “what changed” context
• Consistent navigation into the root cause
• Layouts built for fast scanning
A clean alarm experience reduces missed issues and fatigue.
How should trending pages be designed in Niagara?
Trending should support real workflows:
• Quick access to the right points
• Consistent naming and grouping
• Baseline views + drill-down views
• Clear time ranges and comparison patterns
The goal is diagnosis speed, not “useless data charts.”
What’s the biggest mistake teams make with Niagara graphics?
They treat the UI like decoration instead of an operational tool. The interface should reduce confusion, speed up decisions, and make the system easy to run — especially under pressure.
How much do Niagara dashboards and graphics cost?
It depends on complexity and scale. Most pricing is driven by:
• Number of buildings and equipment graphics
• Standards requirements
• Custom components/modules
• Scope of alarms, trends, navigation
We typically scope based on outcomes and effort — not vague guesswork.
What information do you need to quote a project?
We usually need:
• Station type and Niagara version
• Scope (how many buildings/systems/equipment)
• Required pages (alarms, trends, dashboards, reports)
• Whether you need custom modules
• Your standards goals (or if we’re creating them)
How long does a typical graphics project take?
Timelines depend on scope. The fastest projects are those using a template foundation with clear standards. Custom modules and large multi-site rollouts naturally take longer, but we structure projects so you can see progress early.
What’s the process for working with Bitdash?
A typical engagement looks like:
1. Short discovery call
2. Define the standard and scope
3. Build a “foundation” (template or baseline station)
4. Expand to equipment and dashboards
5. Handoff with documentation so your team can maintain it
What’s the fastest way to standardize Niagara graphics across our team?
Start with a repeatable foundation: one navigation system, one alarm/trending approach, and one set of layout rules. Then enforce it with a reusable station/template so every tech builds the same way.

