Welcome back to ControlTalk NOW. This week’s edition features interviews and articles with Mike Welch, Control Network Solutions who provides insight to the success (and still untapped potential) of DALI Lighting and the “Up-skilling” of the traditional systems integrator; Ken Sinclair, Automatedbuildings.com explains the origin and evolution of the oBIX Standard; Brian Turner,Controlco, reviews the limits and possibilities of wireless technologies; and OME Facility Solutions’, Rick Werner discusses a variety of relevant industry issues. Enjoy.

“Statement on Target Data Breach” Released by Fazio Mechanical. ControlTrends thanks Paul Burke, VP, M&M Controls out of Timonium, MD for passing along Fazio Mechanical’s Official Statement on the Target Data Breach. Fazio Mechanical wasn’t monitoring any of Target’s facilities remotely; rather, the data connection exclusively for (Target’s) electronic billing, contract submission and project management.

HVAC Superstars on The Red Carpet at the 2013 ControlTrends Awards: Thanks to Stromquist & Company’s, Bill jones, for putting this video together. Our Mr. Jones, was working hard at the ControlTrends Awards to make sure the rest of the world got to see how the HVAC Stars shine.

Watch Bob Light off a Maxon Burner…….Boom!!! Stromquist & Company’s Bob Koch demonstrates in a very effective simulation how a typical commercial burner operates, using real and fully functioning parts and pieces (quite professionally, we might add) that create the safest burner environment possible and assure that there is NO BIG BOOM! Bob walks through every aspect of the combustion train, from the main gas pressure and Maxitrol appliance regulators,to the Antunes high-low gas pressure switches, to the MAXON double block and bleed gas safety shutoff valves, to the Honeywell UV scanner and RM7800 series flame safeguard controller with its display module used for start-up and trouble-shooting. Great job Bob!

Lynxspring Adds to JENEsysONE Controller Portfolio with New JO-PC3-MC Controller: February 20, 2014 Lee’s Summit, MO – Lynxspring, a premier developer and provider of open platform control solutions for building automation, energy management, cyber security and edge-to-enterprise integration today announced the market availability of the availability of the JENEsysONE JO-PC3-MC controller. JENEsysONE is part of Lynxspring’s portfolio of JENEsys® branded internet based automation technology and edge to enterprise solutions for Building Automation, Energy Management, Cyber Security, Equipment Control and Specialty Applications.

2013 ControlTrends Awards Highlight: Honeywell wins Building Automation System of The Year
Sean Johnson interviews Honeywell’s Tom Rosback after Tom received the coveted 2013 ControlTrends Awards Building Automation System of the Year on behalf of Honeywell at the BB King Blues Club. Congratulations to Honeywell!

Ken Sinclair, Building Automation’s Emeritus Extraordinare, Shares Deep Insight on ControlTalk NOW: Thanks once again to Ken Sinclair for appearing on this week’s ControlTalk Now. This video is the just 12 minute segment of Ken’s part of the show. Please watch — and share this video with others, so that our industry may better understand and appreciate what Ken Sinclair, and his wife Jane and automatedbuildings.com has done, and continues to do, for our industry.

Johnson Controls Reaches Out to All Distributors: MERCURY THERMOSTAT COLLECTION: Subject: MERCURY THERMOSTAT COLLECTION. Johnson Controls requests your support to establish a collection point at all your business locations for waste mercury containing thermostats. Dear Distributor: Johnson Controls requests your support to establish a collection point at all your business locations for waste mercury containing thermostats. All states require the proper handling of waste mercury containing thermostats in accordance with state and federal “universal wastes” regulations in order to streamline their collection and transport. Furthermore, many states have gone beyond the federal requirements and are requiring thermostat manufacturers to implement collection programs.

Niagara Summit 2014 Powered By Possibilities! Did We Mention it’s in Vegas? This is one event Niagara users can’t miss. In Vegas, baby! Tracks: Business // Applications // Developer // Technology Trends. What can you expect from the Niagara Summit? Amazing keynotes from industry leaders and experts. Relevant and helpful brainstorming sessions. Valuable networking opportunities. Thoughtful discussions about next-generation solutions for automation infrastructure technology. Did we mention it’s in Vegas? REGISTER NOW!

Chattanooga has the World’s Only “Innovation Accelerator” — GIGTANK and Next-Gen Businesses. February 24, 2014: DOE believes an “All of the Above” Energy strategy must be pursued with an “All of the Above” Innovation Strategy. As we have demonstrated through our investments in fundamental research and development, ambitious deployments under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and public-driven activities like the American Energy Data Challenge, we are committed to supporting public and private innovation to build a smarter, cleaner and more resilient grid.

WattStopper Introduces Their NEW Wireless RF Occupancy Sensors & Switches: WattStopper is pleased to announce the launch of their new Wireless RF Occupancy Sensors and Switches, available individually or in kits. The following marketing tools and resources are available: Flyer, WattStopper.com, and Press Release.

ControlTalk NOW’s first guest, Mike Welch from Control Network Solutions (CNS), Global Suppliers of Smart Products and Solutions for Intelligent Buildings since 1996. Mike is bona fide expert and industry leader in Digital Addressable Lighting Interface. CNS is a Niagara AX® Developer, Tridium and Honeywell Partner. It has a successful track record of creating both client specific and off the shelf web based solutions to the SMART buildings control environment world. They are based upon open standards network communication protocols and compatible with the “Internet of Things” (IoT) and demands for “big data” cloud based analytics. CNS is the creator of the world’s first web DALI intelligent lighting control solution called elitedali™ and EnOcean Ethernet wireless/batteryless device network solution called CNS-Enocean™.

Johnson Controls’ Chris Lane Wins at The 2013 ControlTrends Awards: Congratulations to Chris Lane from Johnson Controls. Chris was Co-winner of the 2013 ControlTrends Best Technical Support Person of The Year. This is quite an honor as Chris was chosen by the world-wide ControlTrends community for his dedication and excellence

Rick Warner Shares His Knowledge on ControlTalk: A special thanks to the very knowledgeable and informative Rick Warner from OME Facility Solutions. Ken and Eric talk to Rick about a variety of relevant topics, from the systems integrator of the future, to the must read book on innovation, to how to find and hire the right talent to be successful in today’s competitive building automation, and the DDC controls market. Rick is one of the brightest minds in our industry and we are very grateful for his willingness to share his expertise and insight.

Limits and Possibilities of Wireless Technologies: Exploring this trend with a critical eye Wireless Technologies: Limits In this new digital age, wireless technologies can’t help but sound sexy. Where would you be now if you had to plug your computer into an Ethernet cord every time you wanted to watch a movie on Netflix? But while there are extremely useful consumer applications for wireless technologies, building automation systems are not always one of them.

Tim’s Tech Tips: Understanding Chiller Surge: “Just the Facts ma’am.” No, it’s not Joe Friday from the 70’s television series Dragnet, it’s Stromquist & Company’s Tim Chamblee. Tim in addition to being a super star salesman for Stromquist & Company is one of the best trainers in the country.

2013 ControlTrends Awards HighLight: Congratulations to Ed Merwin from Tridium and Mike Marston from Easy IO, co winners of the 2013 ControlTrends PID Award. The PID Award is an honor bestowed on an individual(s) that consistently exhibit the qualities of Professionalism, Integrity, and Dedication by the world wide ControlTrends community. Great job Ed and Mike!

ControlTrends Award Highlight: On The Red Carpet With EASY IO:Check out Mike Marston and the team from Easy IO as they walk the Red Carpet at the 2013 ControlTrends Awards at BB King’s Club in New York City. Congratulations to Ed Merwin from Tridium and Mike Marston from Easy IO, co winners of the 2013 ControlTrends PID Award. The PID Award is an honor bestowed on an individual(s) that consistently exhibit the qualities of Professionalism, Integrity, and Dedication by the world wide ControlTrends community.

oBIX Redux, ControlTalk NOW’s second guest is AB’s Ken Sinclair, who traces the Life Cycle and Refresh Cycle of a XML Standard: It was in January 2002, that automatedbuildings.com first sensed the tremors conveying both the direction and impact (Information Model: The Key to Integration) of the coming IT-quake that the internet and Web Services would have on the building automation industry. AutomatedBuilding’s rich archives contain the evolving history of a standard that begins with the Open Letter, and the first oBIX chairman, Paul Ehrlich’s interview and continues on to present times, with the 30-day Public Review and oBIX’s 1.1 refresh cycle and automatedbuildings.com’s contributing editor, Toby Considine’s oBIX, Smart TVs, and Commercial Buildings. Make sure you read! “oBIX & Project Haystack — Understanding where each fits.”

ControlTalk NOW will continue to provide a weekly episode featuring the people, products, and the News of the Week shaping our world of controls, building automation, and the HVAC industry.