ControlTrends

Tridium’s Production Team Notice: Weather Underground Service Discontinued

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Weather Underground Service Discontinued:

Dear Valued Partner, As you are aware, Weather Underground discontinued free service as of December 31, 2018. This impacts users who have been using a free Weather Underground key in conjunction with our WUnderground Provider. 

Over the first quarter of 2019 we have been able to keep Weather Underground service available to Niagara customers through temporary keys. As we previously communicated, we were in negotiations to provide a reliable service for our customers for the rest of 2019 through Tridium. Ultimately, we have not been able to come to an agreement but will continue to work on a solution.

 

Through the Niagara Community we are aware of alternative options to receive weather from other service providers. Note, the National Weather Service provider will continue to work for North America users. 

We apologize for any inconvenience or disruption. Please contact your Tridium representative if you have any questions.

 

DISCOVER. CONNECT. ACHIEVE. 

   

ABOUT US

For more than 15 years, Tridium has led the world in business application frameworks — advancing truly open environments that harness the power of the Internet of Things. Our products allow diverse monitoring, control and automation systems to communicate and collaborate in buildings, data centers, manufacturing systems, smart cities and more. We create smarter, safer and more efficient enterprises and communities — bringing intelligence and connectivity to the network edge and back.

tridium.com

Join the Next TridiumTalk on Templating 101!

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Tridium Customer Connections

The Niagara Framework® now provides fertile ground for developing applications that drive building automation systems forward and helping Niagara Community members take full advantage of the IoT. 

The next TridiumTalk will provide all you need to know on deploying Niagara stations utilizing templates. This demonstration will include initial deployment of templates and redeployment of updated templates. You’ll learn how to use a template and workbench template tools. 

Join us for this TridiumTalk to learn more about templating. Be sure to register today! 

                                                       REGISTER NOW!

 

  

Niagara Cyber Security Statement: Reviewing Guidelines for Niagara Framework Cyber Security

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Dear Niagara Community Member,

Over the past few months, there has been some well-needed government and media discussion related to the cyber-security posture of control systems. Cyber-threat watchers note that there continues to be a significant number of control systems configured in an insecure manner, and most concerning, exposed on the Internet. Our goal is to have zero Niagara Framework® deployments that fit these descriptions. Towards this goal, we are reminding our customers [Read more…]

Episode 281: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings Videocast and PodCast for Week Ending September 2, 2018

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Episode 281: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings Videocast and PodCast for week ending September 2, 2018 is a truncated version of CTN from Eric’s hotel room in Rome, Italy, where we are joined periodically by his daughter, Evelyn Grace. Check out J2 Innovations’ Building Technologies Innovation Recap; Blue Ridge Technologies takes you from broken to BACnet in 4 hours; Belimo 5-Step HVAC Retrofit Webinar; BASSG’s new Niagara-Intesisbox Gateway; Optergy’s Proton 2.0.6a update is now available; and Ken Sinclair’s September edition of Automated Buildings is a must read.

J2 Innovations — Building Technologies Innovation Open Finalist — Check out the 2018 Recap. This week, we were honored to present and compete at Building Technologies Innovation Open 2018 as one of their finalist teams. The BT Innovation Open is an event organized by Siemens and designed to foster innovation for their building technology division.

Blue Ridge Technologies Solutions — Shows You how to go from Broken to BACnet in 4 Hours. Blue Ridge Technologies manufactures proven energy management solutions with a focus on Unified Lighting Control. Our solutions complete the Building Automation System. The Blue Ridge approach ensures our solutions are delivered, not merely sold, while our Wide-Open design offers unparalleled versatility.

Belimo Webinar – 5 Steps to HVAC Retrofitting. 5 Steps to HVAC Retrofitting: Many commercial, health-care, and school buildings experience inefficient HVAC system performance. Problems can include complaints concerning occupant comfort, increasing operation costs, and system maintenance issues. Frequently the culprit is either non-functioning or underperforming damper actuators or control valves.

BASSG’s Announces New Tridium Niagara – Intesisbox Integration Gateway for VRF and Ductless Split Systems. BASSG Announcement: Tridium Niagara Framework driver released for the integration of over 30 brands of Ductless Split and VRF HVAC systems using the IntesisBox WIFI gateway. Alper Uzmeler of BASSG in Austin, TX has successfully implemented the driver required to facilitate the connectivity to the IntesisBox.

Optergy Announcement: Proton 2.0.6a is Now Available! Optergy is pleased to announce the latest Proton update which includes new features, improvements, and fixes. Click here to view release notes. Proton is an innovative software based building controller that combines energy and building management features, uses an intuitive web interface, and can connect to a companion IOS or Android application suitable for use with mobile devices. This economical software manages up to 100 BACnet , Modbus devices or Meters , and has built-in database, programming & tools.

Ken Sinclair’s Automated Buildings’ September, 2018 Issue, “Building Better Bots Mindful and Open.” Self-learning Machine Vision Rising to Best of Edge Bot Breed! In his September edition of Automated Buildings, Ken Sinclair concludes that “the most important component of the open movement is opening our minds while growing younger.” Ken also cites Self-learning Machine Vision as the newest and most cost-effective Edge Bot Capability yet. Read more!

BASSG’s Announces New Tridium Niagara – Intesisbox Integration Gateway for VRF and Ductless Split Systems

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BASSG Announcement: Tridium Niagara Framework driver released for the integration of over 30 brands of Ductless Split and VRF HVAC systems using the IntesisBox WIFI gateway. Alper Uzmeler of BASSG in Austin, TX has successfully implemented the driver required to facilitate the connectivity to the IntesisBox.

Tridium University Update: Don’t Miss These Training Courses Offered Through July 2018

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Tridium University is offering a wide variety of training courses across the world in the coming months. Our award-winning instructors and certified training partners stand ready to help the global Niagara Community innovate with Niagara solutions.

Through July, you can find in-classroom training in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, China, India, Thailand and Australia. Please note that our instructors can host any of our classes at your location. Virtual instructor-led training and “always on” e-learning courses are provided as cost-effective training delivery alternatives.

Click to download the upcoming training schedule

All of our certification courses now offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs). To learn more about CEUs, refer to our FAQs.

Due to popular demand, Tridium University is offering several new courses:

Niagara 4 E-Signature Certification (Virtual)
Niagara 4 End User
Niagara Advanced Technical Certification (TCP)
Log into the Niagara Community website to search the catalog for agenda, dates and locations.

Be sure to check out additional free courses in multiple languages by logging into your Tridium University account and searching our catalog using the keyword “free.”

We’re committed to making it easy for you to gain knowledge and experience, and be better positioned for new business opportunities. We look forward to training you soon!

Episode 263: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings Videocast and PodCast for Week Ending Apr 22, 2018

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Episode 263: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings Videocast and PodCast for week ending April 22, 2018 is co-hosted by Therese Sullivan, editor of Building Context, as we do an in-depth review of the 2018 Niagara Summit. This ControlTalk NOW will be invaluable to those interested members of the Niagara and Haystack communities that were unable to attend. Day 1 and 2 summary interviews with Tridium’s Ed Merwin, Director, Vykon Automation Energy Security, and Kevin Smith, CTO, offer some great insight to Tridium’s pending release of N4.6, Edge 10.0, and Bulk Deploy. The Future will be open, connected, always On. EasyIO is ready for the future, are you?

Niagara Summit 2018 Connecting the World Begins with a Festive Reception in Champions Square. The Niagara Summit 2018, held New Orleans Hyatt Regency, began under very festive and favorable conditions inside the Champions Square — as the world’s top Niagara Systems Integrators, Systems Distributors, OEMs, 3rd Party Solutions providers, and End Users — all gathered for the gala event. Also held earlier in the day, were the Niagara 4 Training Session and Developer Boot Camp. The masquerade masks were provided compliments of Cochrane Supply, who hosted a Masquerade Ball celebration later in the evening.

CEO and President Jim Bland Re-ignites the Spirit of Tridium! DAY 1 at Niagara Summit 2018. Following the dazzling electronic imagery of the Niagara blue spread of connected data through a city landscape on three-screen wide presentation, Tridium’s Jim Bland, CEO and President, took the wand from the cyber maestro of the screen and handed it, figuratively, to the expectant audience of over 1000 global Niagara Community members — challenging them that NOW — is the time to really think outside the box, Disney example provided. The possibility of failure should no longer restrain the efforts to achieve the spectacular possibilities and payoffs of innovation.

Kevin Smith Tridium’s CTO Reviews DAY 2 at Niagara Summit 2018. Tridium’s CTO, Kevin Smith possesses advanced and distinguished expertise in the fields of Cybersecurity, Semantics, Analytics, and Software Development. When Kevin Smith talks, people listen — and for good reason. That’s why we were delighted when Kevin joined ControlTrends in summarizing DAY 2 of Niagara Summit 2018. Kevin touches all the new Niagara bases as he hits this interview out of the park (his affable style of engagement almost outdoes his technical prowess). The Niagara Framework and team are strong, getting stronger, and committed under great leadership. The Niagara Community and ecosystem are growing world-wide and leading the way with innovation.

The Future will be Open, Connected, Always On. EasyIO is Ready for the Future, are You? EasyIO leads the future of Building Automation with smarter, faster, and greener concepts and controllers. This newest video release captures the driving spirit behind EasyIO’s philosophy to master and exploit emerging technologies that are pushing expectations and performance to higher standards, while eliminating costs and barriers to implementation.

Episode 261: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings Videocast and PodCast for Week Ending Apr 8, 2018

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Episode 261: ControlTalk NOW — Smart Buildings Videocast and PodCast for week ending Apr 8, 2018 features an update on the April 1st announcement of the Invisible Stat. Updates from the 449 Technology Center in Zelienople, PA, and Aaron Groka, ANT Technologies’ Innovation Manager, from Uruguay. Have you heard about the April 1st I-Stat marketing release? Project Haystack on the march; Optergy’s awesome new smart phone APP; CGNA Cyber Power Systems Webinar; IBcon SBIS is invite only, register now; Advertise in Project Haystack Spring 2018 Connections Magazines; Optigo pioneers Edge-to-Cloud Network; Lynxspring expands partner channel; Ken Sinclair’s April AB edition; IOTday is April 9th; Don’t miss Niagara NS18 Summit!; and Intesis and DMS Controls exciting new partnership.

ControlTrends Update from 449’s Innovation and Technology Center in Zelienople, PA with 449 instructor, Tim Takacs, who provides more insight to the amazing cutting-edge resources and training available at the new innovation and technology center. The training staff recently added an 110″ monitor to the computer lab and building automation section, where students can program and monitor DDC controllers networked to live loads such as chillers, boiler, AHUs, and other equipment loads.

Hello Haystack Community, This is an Invitation to the Project-Sandstar Working Group. Hello, this is an invitation to the Sandstar projects working group. Sandstar is a project that we are open sourcing which merges Haystack with Sedona. The way we merge haystack with Sedona improves the processes of tagging points and implementing controls. Call to action: Read Project-Sandstar intro doc.

NEW Optergy Smart Phone Application Datasheet. Did you know that every Enterprise and Proton site can take advantage of the the FREE Optergy companion smart phone App? Enabled for both Android and IOS smart phone devices, the App is available NOW to download with unlimited users from Itunes or Google play. The App has a number of cool features to offer value add solutions to your clients including: Multi-site integration, User configurable site dashboards, and more.

ControlTrends Young Gun, Aaron Gorka, Innovations Manager, ANT Technologies, providers of paperless, cloud-based, operational technology for HVAC & Control Contractors, interviews ANT’s Mike Simmons, sales ejecutivo, stationed in Uruguay. Cranes and condominiums abound, gorgeous region of South America. Get your passports in order. These guys from ANT Technologies believe Uruguay presents significant business opportunities.

CGNA Complimentary Webinar — Cyber Power Systems BAS34U24V Product Launch – Wed., 4/11/18 at 2pm Central. Introducing Cyber Power Systems Power Management Solutions from the Edge to the data center. REGISTER NOW! Webinar Topics: Introduction of CyberPower; BAS34U24V Product Launch / market relevance/IT vs OT networks; Learn about the importance of powering and protecting equipment and controls at the edge; Partner Benefits/Product training; and Question & Answer Session.

IBcon Smart Building Integrator Summit 2018 – June 5 – You’re Invited! The Smart Building Integrator Summit (SBIS) is a by-invitation event for the integrator community. You must also be a registered Realcomm|IBcon conference attendee to participate. Once you are registered for the conference, please reserve your seat using the link below. Space is limited. RESERVE YOUR SEAT by contacting Dee Shockley, Special Events Coordinator, Phone: 919-985-3988, dshockley@realcomm.com.

DEADLINE APPROACHING: Advertise in Project Haystack Spring 2018 Connections Magazine. Project Haystack Connections Magazine Spring 2018 Issue Call for Advertisers. AD SPACE PURCHASE DEADLINE: April 13, 2018. The Spring 2018 issue which will be our fourth issue of Haystack Connections and it is growing in readership as the industry comes to understand the mission of the Project Haystack Organization and the importance of making it easy to work with the data produced by smart, connected devices and equipment systems. Promoted via a variety of digital media outlets, the Connections Magazine is now subscribed to by over 8,000 known readers. Here is your opportunity to reach them.

In The News: Optigo pioneers the Edge-to-Cloud network with Visual BACnet Capture Tools. April 4, 2018, Vancouver, BC – The future of centralized, Edge-to-Cloud systems has arrived. Optigo Networks is happy to announce an exciting new suite of Capture Tools, for complete network visibility from server toMS/TP. The sophisticated Visual BACnet Capture Tools collect network data at the edge and push it to the Visual BACnet cloud, our advanced visualization platform for building automation system service providers.

Lynxspring Is Expanding Our Technology Solution Partner Channel! There are exciting times happening at Lynxspring. If you are a building/facility system integrator or contractor, now is the time to join our Technology Solution Partner (TSP) Program. Lynxspring, a premier developer and provider of open platform control solutions for building automation, intelligent buildings, energy management and edge-to-enterprise integration is seeking new technology Solutions Partners in selected geographic markets in North America and selected international opportunities.

Ken Sinclair’s Automated Buildings’ April Issue “Meta-Morphing Mashup.” We agree with what owner and editor, Ken Sinclair, says about his April edition of Automated Buildings: “As always this new issue is a nest of great articles, columns, reviews, new products, interviews and of course the steady stream of news depicting our rapid Meta Morphic Mashup.” Now, what the heck is Meta-Morphing Mashup? Ken describes it as “yet another annoying alliteration.” but, we know there is gold in those hills. Start digging!

You’re Invited to a Live Webinar: Building Cybersecurity is a Legacy Building Risk. Ron Victor, CEO & Founder, IoTium, and Fred Gordy, Dir. of Cyber Security, Intelligent Buildings. Before the smart buildings concept digital, Internet-connected controls systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and elevators have been installed and managed by non-IT persons from architects, engineers, contractors and property managers. Without IT best practices, much-less cybersecurity requirements there is significant exposure to: Life Safety Risks, Equipment Failure, Productivity Loss, Network Hopping, and Brand Damage.

April 9th, 2018 — IOTday! An Open Invitation to the Internet of Things World-wide Community. ​Iotday is an open invitation to the Internet of Things Community to participate in an event, host a hackathon, or just share a beer/coffee with a friend or fellow collaborator focused around the IoT and its implications. IoT Council initiated the iotday in 2010. The event has grown in scale and scope as Internet of Things is sinking into the everyday.

Meet Niagara at the Edge During NS18! Throughout the exhibit hall at the Niagara Summit this year, you’ll get a look at how Tridium and our partners are running Niagara at the edge. You’ll learn during select breakout sessions about the new controllers that are simplifying Niagara edge device management. Register NOW!

Intesis Software Announces an Exciting New Partnership with DMS Controls Group. Intesis Software, a member of the HMS Group, is pleased to announce the addition of DMS Controls Group to its North American Distribution network. This agreement will allow customers to have unprecedented access to the Intesis solution set for the integration of HVAC systems to building, hotel, industrial, and home automation systems. With the outstanding reputation and support capabilities of DMS Controls Group, it is a natural fit.

Lynxspring Is Expanding Our Technology Solution Partner Channel!

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Lynxspring Is Expanding Our Technology Solution Partner Channel!

There are exciting times happening at Lynxspring. If you are a building/facility system integrator or contractor, now is the time to join our Technology Solution Partner (TSP) Program.

Lynxspring, a premier developer and provider of open platform control solutions for building automation, intelligent buildings, energy management and edge-to-enterprise integration is seeking new technology Solutions Partners in selected geographic markets in North America and selected international opportunities.

We are looking for experienced system integrators and contractors with Building Controls, Facilities Management, Energy Management and Systems Integration knowledge. Our Niagara, Niagara at the Edge, Onyxx and Data-Vision Xchange Engine (D-VXE) product and solutions are simplifying connectivity, integration, interoperability data accuracy and exchange from the edge to the enterprise.

Lynxspring empowers our partners and their customers to take control of technology and have true choice through solutions and best in breed products across common platforms designed and tested to meet the demands of today’s requirements and specifications. We enable partner success by offering a mix of technology, support, education, services, training and marketing.

For more information contact Lynxspring Marketing at marketing@lynxspring.com.

Tridium Technical Bulletin: Mitigating “Meltdown” and “Spectre” Vulnerabilities

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Mitigating Meltdown and Spectre Vulnerabilities

Dear valued partner,

On January 3, 2018, a group of researchers from Google Project Zero, Cyberus Technology and several universities revealed two major flaws in computer chips that could leave a huge number of computers and smartphones vulnerable to security concerns. Called “Meltdown” and “Spectre,” the flaws exist in processor families and could allow an attacker to read sensitive data stored in the memory, like passwords, or look at what tabs someone has open on their computer. Researchers indicate almost every computing system – desktops, laptops, smartphones, and cloud servers – is affected by these flaws.

Tridium takes the security of our customers and products seriously. Upon learning about this CPU issue, we began a company-wide product review to determine which of our devices are affected, and what corrective actions are necessary. Our findings to date are summarized below.

IMPACTED TRIDIUM PRODUCTS:

Niagara Supervisor running on Windows or Linux

If you have a Niagara Supervisor that runs on Windows or Linux, your machine may be affected.

Recommended Customer Actions:

* Update your operating systems with the latest patches, making sure that your organization has a patch management plan that is always executed.
* For Windows, please follow the instructions from Microsoft for patching your systems. You may access this information via this link.
* For Linux, please follow the instructions for Red Hat for patching your systems. You may access this information via this link.
* Ensure anti-virus software is up-to-date.
* Ensure that your Supervisor machine, which is a mission-critical system, is not being used for email access or general web browsing. The Spectre/Meltdown threats require malware be executed on a target machine. Malware attacks typically come from malicious web links, malware-based email attachments and infected USB disks.
* Control physical access to your mission critical systems to prevent attackers from using infected USB disks to infect your machines. Physical security is critical, and your systems must be protected.

JACE® Hardware

We are continuing to work with our vendors in our investigation, but at this point, we know the following:

Older JACEs:

* The JACE 2/3/6/7 families use a much older PPC architecture, and the processor vendor has determined that they are not susceptible to Spectre and Meltdown.

JACE-8000:

The JACE-8000 is not affected by Meltdown.

The JACE-8000 uses an ARM chip that is reportedly vulnerable to a Spectre The vendor of the operating system of the JACE is doing further investigation into what patches could possibly apply. Tridium will be working closely with them to determine what OS changes, if any, should be made to mitigate any threat. In the meantime, Tridium has employed significant security measures that mitigate the threat of malware executing on a device.

A Spectre attack requires malware execution. The security controls that are employed by the JACE-8000 include (but are not limited to) the following:

* Niagara’s JACE-8000 employs a “secure boot” process, providing integrity validation of the image at boot time, providing non-repudiated assurance that the root image wasn’t tampered with.
* Niagara 4 employs integrity validation of the core framework at run-time, validating the digital signatures of all Niagara run-time components, ensuring that core Tridium Software has not been tampered with.
* Niagara 4’s Security Manager provides malware prevention by “sandboxing” third party modules, restricting installed software to a limited set of permissions, and terminating execution of any installed software that attempts unauthorized privileges.
* Niagara limits administrative controls and access to sensitive areas of Niagara to authenticated administrators with platform access.

It is important to understand that the security of your Niagara system also revolves around how your system is configured on your network. Please refer to the following documents to ensure that your systems are up-to-date with best practices:

* Niagara AX Hardening Guide (Step-by-Step Guidance for securing your AX systems)
* Niagara 4 Hardening Guide (Step-by-Step Guidance for securing your Niagara 4+ systems)
* TridiumTalk on Cybersecurity – “Defending Your Business Against Cyber Threats” (One hour webinar on Cybersecurity best practices in your organization)
* Q&A from TridiumTalk on Cybersecurity
* Tridium Cybersecurity White Paper

If you have any questions, please contact your Tridium account manager or contact Customer Support via support@tridium.com.

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