Episode 222: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings VideoCast|PodCast for week ending Apr 23, 2017 features interviews with DLR Groups’ Ruairi M. Blackwell; Drew Mire, CEO of Computrol; and Scott Cochrane, CEO of Cochrane Supply. Big, big week in the HVAC Industry — several new products and releases from Honeywell, Belimo, Sierra Monitor Corporation, and KMC Controls reminds of their last order date. Johnson Control named 16th Best Corporate Citizen and Lynxspring receives Frost & Sullivan Excellence Award; Memoori – Cimetrics Podcast: Creating transparency from Building Analytics; and Fulham acquires Control Network Solutions.

ControlTalk NOW’s first guest interview is with Ruairi M. Blackwell a principal with DLR Group’s Chicago location. Ruairi leads the Building Optimization enterprise within the firm. In this role, Ruaiari is responsible for growing Building Optimization as a distinct DLR Group service area while contributing his expertise in high performance building design to benefit clients in the firm’s core market sectors. Ruairi is a respected high-performance building design expert and his aim is to elevate the built environment and restore order to the climate for future generations. Additionally, Ruairi specializes in commissioning services for new and existing buildings, building energy assessments, high performance building design, energy modeling/advanced building simulation, and measurement and verification consulting.

Frost & Sullivan Applauds Lynxspring’s Strategic Thought Leadership and Technical Excellence, Making it a Top Contender in the Smart Buildings Market. SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Based on its recent analysis of the Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart buildings market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Lynxspring with the 2017 North American Award for Competitive Strategy Innovation and Leadership.

KMC Controls REMINDER – End of Life – Last order date May 1st! “As announced last year, end of life for the KMC Controls legacy BACnet controllers BAC-58XX and VAV’s BAC-7XXX is less than 2 weeks away. I know you may already be using the next generation Conquest controllers…but I wanted to send one last reminder. If you need to order these devices you must place your order no later than May 1, 2017…or sooner.”

Belimo Proudly Announces New Products and Innovations for 2017 — Get Your Access to New Pricing and Media Files. For over 40 years, Belimo has successfully focused on the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning markets. Our relationships with you and our employees are based on trust and adding value with a focus on sustained prosperity rather than short term gains. Our innovative products have always been designed to help you achieve your objectives better, faster and more economically. Investing in new technology has been a key to our success and Belimo proudly announces these new products and innovations for 2017.

Sierra Monitor Corporation Launches Cloud-Connected Network Discovery and Management Appliance for Facility Automation. BACnet Explorer NG appliance enhances device and network commissioning and integration for installers and system integrators. MILPITAS, Calif., April 18, 2017 — Sierra Monitor Corporation (OTCQB:SRMC), a provider of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions that target facility automation and facility safety requirements, today announced the availability of the BACnet Explorer NG, the industry’s first cloud-connected network discovery and management solution for BACnet networks.

Creating Transparency From Building Analytics. Great stuff from Memoori. Our friend Therese Sullivan, from Building Context, turned us on to this great Smart Buildings Resource. Here is the Audio Stream from the 4th Free Webinar in the 2017 Smart Buildings Series, sponsored by Project Haystack. Creating Transparency From Building Analytics. This was an in-depth Q&A Webinar with James Lee CEO & President of Cimetrics. We discus Jim’s recent article “Analytics Creates Transparency” and his thoughts on why he thinks analytics is the key that the industry has been waiting for to unlock the true business value from building technologies.

Honeywell Introduces New and Improved Variable Frequency Drives. Honeywell is pleased to announce the introduction of the SmartVFD HVAC2 line of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) available to all Commercial Distributors. This new offering provides a reliable, high-performing VFD that minimizes HVAC energy consumption on fans and pumps. Honeywell’s SmartVFD HVAC2 provides maximized energy savings and monitoring capabilities at an affordable price, with quality products backed by a strong 3-year warranty and solid technical support.

Fulham Acquires Control Network Solutions to Bring DALI® Control to Customers for Emerging Smart Lighting Products. CNS’s Smart Light Management Software and Technical Expertise Helps Fulham Meet Growing Demand for DALI-enabled Clever LED Drivers and Smart Lighting Controls. HAWTHORNE, Calif. – April 19, 2017 – Fulham Co., Inc., a leading supplier of lighting components and electronics for commercial and specialty applications, today announced the acquisition of the assets of partner company Control Network Solutions (CNS), the UK-based creator of the elitedali smart lighting control and management system.

ControlTrends Award Highlight: 2016 Peripheral Product of The Year. Catch all the excitement as Smart Building Controls Powerhouses Contemporary Controls and Functional Devices are Awarded the Peripheral Product of The Year. Contemporary Controls designs and manufactures the system building blocks for networking, integrating and controlling automation processes where performance and reliability are important. Functional Devices, Inc. has been designing and manufacturing quality electronic devices in the United States of America since 1969.

ControlTalk NOW second guest interview is with Computrols’ CEO, Andrew Mire, who took the helm of VP of operations in 2014, and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 2017, where he manages corporate operations, Computrols’ dealer program, and remote job operations. In 1983 Computrols began providing first-rate professional technical service for large building automation systems. A complete dedication and commitment to customer satisfaction has provided valuable lessons that have carried the company for years. Simplicity, flexibility, and power are the Computrols cornerstones of success, and it is this first-hand knowledge of what’s important to customers that drives product development even today.

Hanging Out with Scott Cochrane at the 2017 AHR Show. I had a chance to catch up with one of the smartest people in Smart Buildings controls at the Distech booth. Check out what Scott Cochrane had to say about Building Automation Controls, why Cochrane is now handling Distech Controls, and the CONTROL-CON 2017 Event hosted by Cochrane Supply & Engineering, CONTROLS-CON will take place June 8th and 9th, 2017 at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, Michigan. This fast-paced, education-packed event will bring together hundreds of integrators and end users from throughout the United States and Canada to explore the latest technologies and possibilities of Building Controls and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

Future Shock: Something to think about! Excerpt: Artificial Intelligence: Computers become exponentially better in understanding the world. This year, a computer beat the best Go player in the world, 10 years earlier than expected. In the US, young lawyers already don’t get jobs. Because of IBM Watson, you can get legal advice, (so far for more or less basic stuff), within seconds. With 90% accuracy, compared with 70% accuracy when done by humans. So, if you are studying law, stop immediately. There will be 90% fewer generalist lawyers in the future; only specialists will be needed.

The post Episode 222: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings VideoCast|PodCast for Week Ending Apr 23, 2017 appeared first on ControlTrends.

Episode 221: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings VideoCast|PodCast for week ending Apr 16, 2017 features an interview with one of the most venerated experts in the Building Automation Industry, Leroy Walden, President and Chief Consultant Highrose Consultants, LLC. Updated Ken’s Calendar details upcoming training, webinars, and major industry events; more 2016 ControlTrends Awards video highlights; new DLP pressure sensor from ACI; EasyIO’s Mike Marston and Lim Hoon Chiat discuss new product release and the upcoming EasyIO Global Conference.

2016 ControlTrends Awards Highlight: The PID Award. Join all the excitement, and I do mean EXCITEMENT, as the most exciting man in the smart buildings controls industry Roger Rebennack and Mike Marston from EasyIO (both former recipients of the PID Award) light up the crowd and announce this year’s PID Award winners.

ControlTrends Keeps an Eye on 2017 Events with Ken’s Calendar. While it has been an amazingly busy and productive year so far, many more events are on the horizon. ControlTrends will continue to post the event information as we receive notice or become aware of the event. Please note that the information is gathered from various sources, and the times, dates, and locations may have changed. Be sure to visit the appropriate website or contact the event coordinator to ensure the most up-to-date information.

Our interview this week is with Leroy Walden, LEED AP, President and Chief Consultant Highrose Consultants, who has worked in the Building Controls and Automation industry since 1978, beginning with Robertshaw Controls as an Applications Engineer. Leroy recently retired from a leading systems integration firm to pursue his passion for tracking the growing uses of technology in sustainable building operations. Listen in, as Leroy brings specific insights to smart devices and equipment and how open-source integration platforms will transform building maintenance in the coming decades. Contact Leroy ASAP (lcwalden256@gmail.com) — to take advantage of Leroy’s $100.00 discount for the 2017 Realcomm|IBcon Conference June 13th-15th in San Diego, CA.

ACI’s Differential Low Pressure Sensor has Arrived — The DLP is Available Now! ACI is combining all the best features from multiple products to create an all-encompassing differential pressure option that should make a huge impact! Every aspect of this product was analyzed and designed to maximize the value it will present to you!

Connexx Energy to Participate in US Department of Commerce International Trade Administration Smart Technologies Mission to Hong Kong and Taiwan. Lee’s Summit, Missouri, April 5, 2017: Connexx Energy (www.connexxenergy.com), a recognized developer and implementer of smart building, energy and IoT data management and visualization solutions, announced today that it will be participating in the Smart Technologies Business Development Mission to Hong Kong and Taiwan being organized by the United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration.

2016 ControlTrends Awards Highlight: The Light Commercial Control System of the Year. Light Commercial Solution of the Year Winners: KMC Commander and Proton, Optergy. KMC’s mission is to “provide innovative, intuitive building automation and Smart Buildings Controls solutions from responsive and supportive people,” and the KMC Commander delivers as an open building automation and Smart Buildings control system that is “open, secure, and scaleable.” “Proton by Optergy became the first true open supervisor and controller that can interoperate with any BACnet unitary controller and is 100% web based. It has all the needed tools to setup, operate and maintain the system, and has all of this at economical price points.”

EasyIO’s Mike Marston and Lim Hoon Chiat Discuss the FW Wireless Controller “That Will Change the World!” This is the first video of a series from EasyIO’s Mike Marston and Lim Hoon Chiat, who share their visions of the FW Series wireless controllers — that they believe will change the world of Building Automation. Lim cites how WiFi, the defacto protocol for wireless networking, has been around for over 20 years, and because it’s so pervasive and each generation is inherently compatible, it’s ideally suited for the HVAC and Building Automation industry.

EasyIO’s Mike and Lim Preview Next-Gen Smart Sensors and Introduce the Early Guns Education & Learning Program. EasyIO’s Mike Marston and Lim Hoon Chiat continue their discussion on the differences and nuances between M2M and IOT, smart sensors and edge devices, and the impact that wireless will have on the future of HVAC and Building Automation. Also, Lim’s amazing insight into programming starter kits and educational programs to kick start our next generation of system integrators and HVAC technicians.

Let’s Go to England: Last Chance for Discount to EASY IO. Manchester (UK) May 21–23, 2017. This EasyIO Global Partner Event will unveil and officially release awesome new EasyIO products and features to further enhance building and energy solutions for all types of buildings. We’re gonna reveal all the secrets of our five(!) new controllers that are coming up: the WiFi controllers FW-14 and FW-8, the WiFi VAV controller FW-8V, the powerful FS-32 and the FR-02. Register Here!

Haystack Connect 2017 Update! Keynote Speakers & Technical Program & The IBB is Getting Back Together! Make your reservations for Haystack Connect 2017! There are, technically, a lot of reasons to attend Haystack Connect 2017. Now, we added some fun ones! See below. Register Today! 3-Day Technical Conference at the Saddlebrook Resort Tampa: See the very latest software and hardware solutions for the Building Industry exhibited in the Vendor Showcase. Meet and network with leading experts in our industry that are implementing real solutions that combine diverse devices, systems, data and protocols.

LIGHTFAIR 2017 PHILADELPHIA — PRE-CONFERENCE MAY 7-8, TRADE SHOW & CONFERENCE MAY 9-11. Trade Show + Conference + Networking = See It All. LIGHTFAIR 2017. The world’s leading manufacturers will be showcasing their latest products in IoT (Internet of Things), intelligent lighting, LEDs, decorative lighting, daylighting, exterior lighting and more. Experts from around the world will be leading courses on the forward thinking topics in lighting design and technology.

DDC Training with the BAScontrol22: For Colleges and Training Centers Interested in Providing Direct Digital Control (DDC) System Training. April 2017 – For colleges and training centers interested in providing Direct Digital Control (DDC) system training, Contemporary Controls recommends using the BAScontrol22 unitary controller and the free Sedona Application Editor (SAE). The BAScontrol22 is an ideal controller for training technicians on programming DDCs and use of unitary building automation controllers.

Increasing Efficiency for Better Business — New Siemens Website Launches Next Week! Mark your calendar for next week. That’s when the new Siemens partner’s website will launch! The new site will replace the Vantage, Beacon and Infolink sites which you may have used in the past. By the end of next week, all links will take you directly to the new site. What can you expect? A product-centric site that is organized around the products you sell and the information you need to succeed; Updated content and a systematic approach to managing important assets; and Account registration that has self-service capabilities.

The post Episode 221: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings VideoCast|PodCast for Week Ending Apr 16, 2017 appeared first on ControlTrends.

Episode 220: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings VideoCast|PodCast for week ending Apr 2, 2017 features video coverage of the 2016 ControlTrends Awards Young Gun recipients and Belimo’s Award-winning Energy Valve. News of the Week: Roger Rebennack takes over as CEO at Jackson Controls; Honeywell releases WEBs-N4.2.36.38; 2017 Project Haystack Announces Keynote Speakers; EasyIO World Conference, Manchester United, UK, Early Bird Tickets now available; CABA’s upcoming Intelligent Buildings & Digital Home Forum in Silicon Valley; Stromquist’s Tim Chamblee Valve training; Eric Kreuter explains KMC’s SimplyVAV; Siemens’ Talon Building Controls Systems overview; and Ken Sinclair’s April edition of Automated Building.

Honeywell Announces Release of WEBs-N4.2.36.38. Honeywell is pleased to announce the release of the WEBs-N4.2.36.38 software that is packaged with Spyder, Stryker Venom and BACnet FF Tstat programming tools. Main Features: * This is a packaged release with Honeywell tools within the Niagara N4.2.36.38 software build. * This release Fixes software issues after the release of WEBs-N4.2.36, including the CCN driver issues. * There is no cost to upgrade for existing N4.x users. However for other users of AX (3.8 and below) software, please use SMA part number to upgrade to N4.x software.

Project Haystack Announces Keynote Speakers and Technical Program for Haystack Connect 2017 Conference. This year’s conference will bring together industry leaders, end-users and corporate representatives involved in automation, control and Internet of Things applications to share the latest techniques for managing, presenting and analyzing the vast amount of data generated by today’s smart devices and equipment systems in applications including intelligent buildings, energy, HVAC, lighting, remote monitoring, and other smart-device applications. Rita H. Wouhaybi,Ph.D., and Milan Milenkovic are the Keynote Speakers for the third biennial Haystack Connect Conference 2017 beginning May 8, 2017 at the Saddlebrook Resort Tampa.

Congratulations to Roger Rebennack! The “most exciting man in the controls industry” and our friend Roger Rebennack is moving on from Honeywell to become the CEO of Jackson Controls in Indianapolis. Roger has been at Honeywell for 30 years and spent time in the Alarm Monitoring Security & Fire division, the HBS Branch Division, Environmental Controls Division and at Tridium. Rog will bring his skills and passion to Jackson Controls, who is the Honeywell Indiana Authorized System Distributor (ASD) and has been a HVAC controls distributor for 40 years that handles Honeywell, Vykon, Johnson, Belimo and Tridium.

EasyIO World Conference, Manchester United, UK, May 21, 2017 — Early Bird Tickets for EasyIO Global Conference now available! Our Global EasyIO Partner Event in Manchester (UK) is coming up May 21-23, 2017. The conference will unveil and officially release awesome new products and features — to further enhance building and energy solutions for all types of buildings. Consider this is your official invitation! EasyIO is changing the way building automation is deployed and is also reducing the cost. This Global Partner Event will unveil and officially release awesome new products and features to further enhance building and energy solutions for all types of buildings.

CABA Intelligent Buildings & Digital Home Forum — April 26-28, 2017 in Silicon Valley. Attend the CABA Forum — this April 26-28, 2017 in Silicon Valley, and learn about the latest research in our industry from the many research analysts and research firms attending. Industry thought leaders will be providing their insights during the many technical panel discussions and during the four (4) connected home and intelligent buildings research workshops.

Everything You Wanted to Know about Control Valves… but were afraid to ask. Valves, Valves everywhere. If you work with Building Automation or Smart Building Controls or do HVAC maintenance in buildings you cannot escape control valves. Join Stromquist & Company‘s master trainer Tim Chamblee as he trains control pros on everything they need to know about control valves. If you are interested in attending one of Tim’s classes call Nancy at 800.241.9471 and ask for a schedule.

The Easy Way to Do A VVT Retrofit. Variable air volume projects can represent tremendous opportunities for contractors serving commercial and institutional customers. But even in today’s world of open system communications, digital VAV projects have been unnecessarily complex. Until now. Watch as Eric Kreuter explains SimplyVAV, KMC’s digital product that fits that universal replacement need and does so in a fashion that is nearly as straightforward as that old thermostat. It is, in fact, your ticket to today’s digital VAV project marketplace.

Siemens’ TALON Building Control System – Making the Most of Your Building Investment. Today’s buildings are becoming increasingly complex. Building automation systems don’t just control the basics. They regulate airflow, monitor energy use and are being called upon to integrate with security, lighting, and other systems throughout buildings to deliver comfort, safety and energy efficiency. Choosing a TALON® system can help you get the most out of your building, today and tomorrow.

2016 ControlTrends Awards Highlight: The Young Guns. ControlTrends is extremely proud of the Young Gun Awards and what we believe to be another important industry initiative to draw young talent to our industry. There is no better way to enhance the image of the HVAC Industry than recognizing young professionals — who, early in their careers, have already made an important contribution or significant impact within their organization — that serves well as career role model.

Ken Sinclair’s Automated Buildings April, 2017 Theme: In Search of the “Make Me Happy Button” – Claiming our Piece of the Productivity Puzzle. Most of us see that the forces driving much of our industry are changing faces, morphing from the owners’ countenance to the occupier’s smile or frown. The seriousness of these new metrics, criteria, and occupant feedback cannot be underestimated. In this April edition of Automated Buildings, Ken Sinclair, owner and editor, continues his elucidation on this most worthy topic.

The Belimo Energy Valve Wins Energy Savings Solution of The Year. The Belimo Energy Valve was awarded the 2016 Energy Savings Solution of the Year the 2016 ControlTtends Awards. This is not the Belimo Energy valve’s first win in this category, having won in 2014 and 2015. This unique control valve combines the Belimo pressure independent flow strategy with a supply and return temperature sensor which allows the valve to control off of Delta T. Not only do you have BTU data but you can gain an additional 20-30% energy savings. Well done Belimo.

What is Scrum and Why is it Important? In Ken Sinclair’s April issue of Automated Buildings.com. Brad White from SES Consulting answers this question in a very timely article called Cope with the IOT Revolution by Staying Agile. I encourage you to read this article to understand the importance of this video and why Scrum might be the tool you need to keep up with the Smart Building IOT revolution.

The post Episode 220: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings VideoCast|PodCast for Week Ending Apr 2, 2017 appeared first on ControlTrends.