ControlTalk Now : Sales, Marketing, Products and Technical Tips for HVAC and Smart Building Controls Professionals

ControlTalk NOW for the week ending August 30, 2015 features guest interviews with Neptronic's Luis Melgares and SI Consultants' Vinayak Sane; new products from Thermokon and Functional Devices; Tridium N4 Crossover Training Video; Fred Gordy's continued focus on Cyber Security; Sierra Monitor Corporation's Varun Nagaraj's Part 1 series on IIoT; and an updated ControlTrends Events Calendar.

Thermokon's Newest Products — Released in 902MHz EnOcean's Frequency for North America. Thermokon is pleased to announce several game-changing 902 MHz EnOcean products recently added to their extensive EasySens product platform, which include these application advantages: Cost savings due to Energy Harvesting: producing energy from the sensor environment; Flexibility with sensor location – quick and easy mounting and commissioning; Reduction of fire load – no need for wires.

ControlTrends Event Information Calendar Update. Global EasyIO Partner Event 2015: Paris, September 20-22! EasyIO is changing the way Building Automation is deployed, while significantly reducing installation costs. EasyIO's global partner event will unveil awesome new products and features that will further enhance building management and energy solutions — for all building types. EasyIO has already a reputation to hold up for their amazing event programming.

Product Update: The New Functional Devices EnOcean Relay. Wireless is all the rage in todays building automation and smart buildings control systems. But to get the most out of your wireless system you need reliable wireless components like the EN3 EnOcean relay from Functional Devices. The EnOcean technology is an energy harvesting wireless technology used primarily in building automation systems; but is also applied to other applications in industry, transportation, logistics and smart homes.

Luis Melgares, Neptronic's Vice-President, Sales and Marketing ControlTalk NOW's first guest interview. ControlTrends caught up with Luis while he was on the road in Western PA and WV, technical support to system integrator and developing new business. Luis gives ControlTrends the latest scoop on Neptronic's newest hardware and software, and previews Neptronic's next generation TUC thermostat/room controller expected to be released fourth quarter 2015 — that will definitely be on display at the 2016 AHR EXPO in Orlando.

Tridium Niagara 4 Crossover Training Promo Video — World Class Technical Training for the Niagara Community. Tridium Niagara 4 Crossover Training Promo Video featuring World Class Technical Training for the Niagara Community. At Tridium, our training goals are simple; help our customers to be effective using the Niagara Framework. We do that by offering a variety of training classes covering the broad spectrum of Niagara-based solutions.

Vinayak Sane, with SI Consulting, based in Mumbai, India is ControlTalk NOW's second guest interview. In this introductory video, we meet Vinayak and hear how he got started in the BMS/HVAC markets. Vinayak will be providing ControlTrends with progress updates on India's immense efforts to bring 100 Smart Cities on-line, while proving insights on the some of the primary challenges facing India's Smart Cities Mission, Building a Smart India, from an engineer's perspective.

Practical Application for Using Shodan. Finding Devices, Protocols, Vendors, etc. Shodan's search engine is fairly flexible and easy to use. The various lists below are what I found using a URL search like the two shown here (you must be logged in for the URL search to work). https://www.shodan.io/search?query=PDU+country%3A"US" Notice the two bold sections of the URL string. The first is what you are looking for and the second is the country. The URL Encoded Characters for a colon are %3A.

If You're Breached, You May Be Facing Two Battles. According to an arstechnica article Monday, August 24, a federal appeals court ruled that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can now sue a company that employs poor IT security practices. This resulted from a lawsuit that the FTC filed against the Wyndham Worldwide Corporation who suffered three breaches from 2008 to 2009. (click here to see FTC vs Wyndham) FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramierz wrote in a statement to Ars, "Today's Third Circuit Court of Appeals decision reaffirms the FTC's authority to hold companies accountable for failing to safeguard consumer data.

Sierra Monitor's Varun Nagaraj: A Model to Categorize IIoT Use Cases – Part 1. There is no shortage of stories and case studies about the IIoT. In aggregate, they support the assertion that the classic Buffalo Springfield song makes: "There's something's happening here; what it is ain't exactly clear". Unfortunately, the many IIoT case studies being written up throw the phrase "cloud" around like there is no tomorrow, and all the stories begin to blur together! Personally, I find it useful to have a model that helps me categorize IIoT use cases.

The post ControlTalk NOW Week Ending August 30, 2015 appeared first on ControlTrends.

ControlTalk NOW for the week ending August 23, 2015 continues its focus on Cyber Security Awareness with Data Center Equipment Exposure; CABA's Landmark CyberSecurity Research Initiative; and White Hat Billy Rios brings ICS/SCADA training to Georgia. Also featured: Eric Stromquist presents the Belimo Energy Valve to the Atlanta Better Building Challenge; Neptronic's and ecobee's newest product releases; the 2016 AHR EXPO registration is now available; 7 Minutes in Control with Rob Allen and Mike Bonner discussing their successful Honeywell N4 migration; and the amazing history of KMC Controls.

Data Center Equipment Exposed With Default Manufacturer User and Pass. Shodan Cataloging of Liebert & APC (Disclaimer – It is not the intent of this post to point out a particular BAS software vendor. The intent is to show that we, the system integrator, still have work ahead of us to do our part.) Last week I searched for Niagara systems on Shodan and the numbers were 27k plus in just the US. This week the US number is down just over 15k.

CABA Launches Landmark Research on CyberSecurity: Is Your Organization Prepared? What steps have your organization taken to ensure that your customers, products/services and organization are safe from privacy issues and cybersecurity attacks? The CABA Board of Directors and the CABA Connected Home Council (CHC) have selected the next CABA Landmark Research Study to be "Cybersecurity and the Connected Home".

7 Minutes in Control with Stromquist's Rob Allen and Mike Bonner. The two gentlemen provide great insight to a successful Honeywell WEBs AX migration to N4 that included several JACE controllers, numerous Honeywell Spyders, and an AX Supervisor, connecting multiple buildings over a wireless IP LAN. Please stay tuned to 7 Minutes in Control as Rob and Mike continue with N4 project migration updates.

World's Largest HVACR Marketplace is Headed to Orlando, FL — January 25-27, 2016. The World's Largest HVACR Marketplace is headed to Orlando, January 25-27, 2016, Orlando, Florida — ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER! The AHR EXPO brings the entire HVACR Industry together under one roof to see the latest products and technology, learn about innovations & trends, and build relationships.

Neptronic Announces its Next Generation VAV and Fan Coil Controllers are Here! Neptronic, a leading manufacturer of HVAC Products and Solutions since 1976, is proud to announce that their game-changing Next Generation VAV and Fan Coil Controllers — are Available NOW! Huge hardware, software, and network improvements provide better precision, greater application versatility and more. Visit Neptronic today to see more features and benefits of Neptronic's Next Generation Controllers!

Hey Siri, meet ecobee3 — Ahem, the HomeKit-enabled ecobee3. HomeKit makes it easy to discover, group, and control Apple HomeKit-enabled accessories in your home. Control your ecobee3 by using Siri on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Requires iOS 8.1 or later. Your iPhone is now a universal remote that controls your home. Imagine all your smart accessories working together and customized around you.

ControlTrends at The Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge. I got a chance to hang out with the movers and shakers of the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge last night. Atlanta's mayor, Kasim Reed, gave us an update on the progress Atlanta Building owners are making towards reducing their energy spend by 20% by the year 2020.

KMC Controls — A History of Great Success Built with Great People and Great Products. KMC Controls, an almost mythical American success story begins with a summer job at Barber Colman in Rockford, IL, where Ken Krueter was first introduced to the world of HVAC and controls. Ken Kreuter's pioneer efforts were soon augmented by a remarkable family and a cast of industrious and harmonious visonaries that would sustain KMC's growth — and allow KMC to make significant contributions to the HVAC industry — for the next fifty years.

ICS/SCADA Security Essentials, Atlanta – Billy Rios, Instructor. My friend and mentor Billy Rios will be he instructor for the upcoming SANS Institute ICS/SCADA Security Essentials in Atlanta, September 28 thru October 2. Billy is not only an expert on this subject, but is highly engaging and thought provoking. His instructional delivery method coveys information that can be easily understood and is comprehensive.

The Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge, Pecha Kucha, and The Belimo Energy Valve. Here is a video of my Pecha Kucha at the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge. Pecha Kucha is a presentation style that allows the speaker 20 slides and 20 seconds to explain each slide. The Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge is the vision of Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed. He challenges commercial buildings in Atlanta to reduce their energy consumption 20% by the year 2020.

The post ControlTalk NOW Week Ending August 23, 2015 appeared first on ControlTrends.

ControlTalk NOW for the week ending August 16, 2015 focuses on Cyber Security Awareness with a vulnerability summary from the National Cyber Awareness System, Tridium's Niagara AX security updates, and Fred Gordy's BAS exposure report from the Shodan site. Delta Controls' Und de Boer shares her insights about "Doing Things Right." Join Chris Ryan and "30 Minutes with Lynxspring," and another great application from Data Center Monitoring experts, Sierra Monitor Corporation.

National Cyber Awareness System: SB15-222: Vulnerability Summary for the Week of August 3, 2015 08/10/2015 06:14 AM EDT. Original release date: August 10, 2015 The US-CERT Cyber Security Bulletin provides a summary of new vulnerabilities that have been recorded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Vulnerability Database (NVD) in the past week. The NVD is sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) / United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT).

Sierra Monitor's Featured Application — Data Center Monitoring. Sierra Monitor — Experts in Data Center Monitoring Applications. A data center is a facility used to house networked computer servers and storage systems that are securely connected to the Internet. A data center generally includes redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, gas detection, fire suppression), and physical access control systems.

Niagara AX Updates Available Now — Versions 3.6, 3.7, and 3.8 are Affected. Niagara AX updates available now. Versions 3.6, 3.7, and 3.8 are affected. The August 2015 Update Releases are available for download on Niagara Central. The updates include important enhancements that increase the security of a Niagara AX system, including a newer revision of the Java Virtual Machine. VYKON strongly encourages all customers to update Niagara AX to one of the newly available releases.

"30 Minutes with Lynxspring" Webinar Series – August 19, 2015. We are always thinking of ways we can help you maximize your company's productivity and profitability.This month's "30 minutes with Lynxspring" discusses the services we provide through our Professional Services Group and how they will help you turn projects over quicker, maximize resources and productivity, allow you more time to increase your customer base, pay more attention to your existing customers, and have the time to spend in front of them discussing additional opportunities.

What Makes a Company Great? It starts with their Philosophy. As we prepare for the nomination period for the 2015 ControlTrends Awards, I am reminded of how many great people, products and companies we have in our industry. It made me wonder what is at the core of these amazing players that make up the Building Automation Controls and HVAC Group. I came across this video and post from Una de Boer, the director of marketing at Delta Controls. Una is one of the bright, hardworking, thoughtful people in our Industry and does a wonderful job of answering my question. So, with her permission, please check out the following video and Una's words from one of her LinkedIn posts.

Top US Cities With Exposed Niagara Systems. (Disclaimer – It is not the intent of this post to point out a particular BAS software vendor. The intent is to show that we, the system integrator, still have work ahead of us to do our part.) The information I list below I got by running a report on Shodan today (8/13/2015). And it didn't cost a dime and I didn't have to use any query language… just plain ole English. I opened the site (https://www.shodan.io/) and in the search bar I typed "niagara".

The post ControlTalk NOW Week Ending August 16, 2015 appeared first on ControlTrends.

ControlTalk NOW for the week ending August 9, 2015 is co-hosted by Rob Allen as we discuss Niagara 4 and the TridiumTalk Update; WattStopper's new DLM product launch; 2015 Annual Demand Response Forum announcement; BACnet Attack Framework video from Brad Bowers; Better Buildings August Bulletin; EasyIO's Global Conference in Paris; Interview with Ron Zimmers and CABA's Big Data Research; and the updated ControlTrends Event Calendar.

TridiumTalk: Niagara 4 Tagging and Templating and Launch of Niagara Community.Presenting the latest additions to our TridiumTalk series: Join us for a demo of a key feature of Niagara 4 and learn more about the new Niagara Community website. Niagara 4 Tagging and Templating: How to quickly integrate devices and make data readily available. Niagara 4 delivers many notable improvements to help businesses take full advantage of the Internet of Things.

WattStopper's Digital Lighting Management (DLM) Product Launch. Based on simplicity, flexibility, and scalability, WattStopper's Digital Lighting Management (DLM) platform continues to revolutionize lighting controls projects across North America. Today we're excited to announce the availability of new DLM fixture-integrated controls — products that add granularity to our already-proven suite of room and area controls.

2nd Annual Demand Response World Forum 2015, October 6-8 in Costa Mesa, CA. Utilities around the world are under increasing pressure to maximize energy efficiency, control load, and integrate distributed energy resources. These factors plus a changing regulatory environment are driving new requirements for network resiliency, flexibility, and power quality — all of which impact the traditional utility business case.

What You Always Wanted to Know About BACnet (… but were Afraid to Ask). Although this video is a little bit dated, it contains a lot of vital information and critical content for those in the awareness and knowledge gathering phases of the cyber security "human patching" process (Gordy). At ShmooCon 2013, Brad Bowers' BACnet Attack Framework presentation "How To Own A Building: Exploiting the Physical World With Bacnet" brings to light the vulnerabilities of one of the most standard communication protocols used in the operational technology side of the HVAC and Building Automation industries.

Better Buildings Bulletin: August, 2015. The Better Buildings Bulletin is a monthly feature to help keep you up to date on partner successes, program updates, opportunities to participate, and more. View the Bulletin online. At the 2015 Better Buildings Summit, over 200 speakers presented their solutions. These presentations are posted to the Solution Center where you can easily browse presentations using filters for building type.

EasyIO Global Conference Paris 2015 Update. Global EasyIO Partner Event 2015: Paris, September 20-22! EasyIO is changing the way Building Automation is deployed, while significantly reducing installation costs. EasyIO's global partner event will unveil awesome new products and features that will further enhance building management and energy solutions — for all building types.

CABA — Where the Pros go to get Big Data on Big Data. I got a chance to catch up with Ron Zimmer from CABA. If you need to get the facts and information on all things Smart Buildings, and Building Automation Controls, Ron and the team at CABA can hook you up. Watch Ron and learn more. The Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) is an international not-for-profit industry association dedicated to the advancement of integrated technologies for homes and buildings. The organization was founded in 1988 and is supported by an international membership of over 300 organizations.

ControlTrends Event Information Calendar Update. Global EasyIO Partner Global EasyIO Partner Event 2015: Paris, September 20-22! EasyIO is changing the way Building Automation is deployed, while significantly reducing installation costs. EasyIO's global partner event will unveil awesome new products and features that will further enhance building management and energy solutions.

The post ControlTalk NOW Week Ending August 9, 2015 appeared first on ControlTrends.

ControlTalk NOW for the week ending August 2, 2015 has two provocative cyber security posts from SmartCore's cyber security evangelist and guru Fred Gordy, who shows us the ballistic cyber world with real-time Threat Maps and Shodan. Fred warns, "If you have setup a customer's system that is directly connected to the internet, Shodan has either found it or will find it and put into its database for the world to see." Read Ken Sinclair's AutomatedBuildings and the August theme: Transformational Change our Mission Possible. DOE funds STEM training; Lynxspring Exchange updates; Easy IO's Mike Marston with more Control Pub Talk; and Angie Jarvis and ProLon have a VAV Solution for you!

Real-Time Threat Maps: If you haven't seen these maps, it can be eye opening. These are real-time and/or near real-time threat maps that are readily available online. Various companies who are touting their cyber security offering like to throw these up behind them during photo ops. They are impressive, but more importantly they show us the unseen cyber world and the fact we are under attack.

Shodan – Are Your Sites Listed?If you haven't heard what Shodan is and why do we care, I would suggest you get familiar with it. Shodan has been called the "Google" for the internet of things (IoT). Shodan is continually cataloging web facing, connected devices such as control systems, computers, CRACs, power systems, etc. Why should we care? We should care because if you have setup a customer's system that is directly connected to the internet, Shodan has either found it or will find it and put into its database for the world to see.

Lynxspring Exchange 2015 Announces Sponsors and Supporters: LEE'S SUMMIT, MO-July 29, 2015 Lynxspring, a premier developer and provider of open, IP-control solutions for building automation, energy management, cyber protection, and device-to-enterprise integration today announced the latest sponsors and supporters for The Lynxspring Exchange and Partner Conference being held October 26th-28th at the Argosy Hotel and Casino in Riverside, Missouri.

ProLon: The Easy Way to do Zoning. Are you looking for an easy to use and configure zoning system — that has the capabilities of a much more complex zoning system? We caught up with Angie Jarvis and the team from ProLon at the 2015 CGNA Vendor Showcase and ProLon just might have the answer! Check this video out and see just how easy it is to set up a zoning system. Reach out to your local CGNA controls distributor and try ProLon on your next zoning job.

Energy Department to Fund Master's and Doctoral Training in Power Electronics ($10 Million)! Energy Department to Fund Master's and Doctoral Training in Power Electronics. As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to accelerating American manufacturing and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz's support of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) to create the next generation of engineers and manufacturers.

How to Make Beer with the EASY IO FG Controller. In episode 2 of Control Pub Talk with "Mad" Mike Marston, Mike shows us the EASY IO FG-32 Controller being used in several unique applications. Want to make beer? The powerful FG32 is the control solution of choice for micro brewers in the know. Could you control vending machines with the EASY IO Controller? Watch this video and find out!

Automated Building's August Theme: "Transformational Change our Mission Possible." Transformational change is the process of altering the basic elements of an organization's culture, including the norms, values, and assumptions under which the organization functions. Getting some great comments directly, off the record and in articles and comments in our August issue about the "Transformational Change" that is happening to allow the Map of the possible.

The post ControlTalk NOW Week Ending August 2, 2015 appeared first on ControlTrends.

The posted content for ControlTalk NOW for the week ending July 26, 2015 is rather sparse, but is offset by importance, because during time away from our keyboards, we were able to secure two major events of extreme importance: Cyber Security Summit and the 2015 ControlTrends Awards. SmartCore's Fred Gordy, Lynxspring's Marc Petock, Stromquist Company and DMS Controls Group LLC, working in close concert with the Georgia Tech Research Institute, will be hosting the first Cyber Security Summit in Atlanta, GA. Additionally, ControlTrends is excited to announce that the 2015 ControlTrends Awards will be held Sunday, January 24, 2016, at Orlando's Hard Rock Live.

New Power Meter from Dent Instruments. It has been said that you can't control or manage what you don't measure, and this is especially true when it comes to Smart Buildings and controlling energy. I had a chance to catch up with Tim Van Slambrouck from Dent Instruments at the 2015 Controls Group North America (CGNA) Vendors' Showcase. Tim is the VP of Sales and Marketing at Dent, and shows us a very cost effective way to monitor power consumption. Check it out!

ControlTalk NOW Special Guest: Fred Gordy is Senior Consultant for SmartCore and is responsible for the technology strategy and cybersecurity for control systems. Fred has focused on control system cybersecurity for the past several years and has built a network of cybersecurity professionals to grow knowledge for control systems at large. Fred's portfolio includes military bases, internet data centers, national retail chains, an international media company, REIT's, and research labs to name a few.

2015 ControlTrends Awards to be Held — January 24, 2016, at the Hard Rock Live! ControlTrends is excited to announce that the 2015 ControlTrends Awards will be held January 24, 2016, from 6:30PM to 9:30PM, at Orlando's Hard Rock Live located at the door step to the amazing Universal Studios. Hard Rock Live is home to music history and a most befitting venue to celebrate the heroes and superstars of our HVAC and the Building Automation industries. ControlTrends graciously thanks our sponsors for allowing us to make this special industry event possible. Platinum Sponsors and their invited guests will join ControlTrends in the John Lennon replicate #71 Dakota Suite reception area prior to the awards show.

ControlTrends Event Information Calendar Update. Managing the Contractor Lifecycle at Critical Infrastructure Facilities for Enhanced Security and Regulatory Compliance. Wednesday, August 5, 2015 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM ET. Critical infrastructure facilities, such as energy and petrochemical sites, are complex environments to secure. Not only do these facilities manage valuable resources that need to be protected, but an accidental or intentional mishap can prove costly to both an organization's bottom line as well as a nation's economy.

The post ControlTalk NOW Week Ending July 26, 2015 appeared first on ControlTrends.

ControlTalk NOW for week ending July 19, 2015, features interviews with Tridium's Ed Merwin, Siemens' Paul Gilvydis, and Rob Allen's 7 Minutes in Control with Honeywell's Roger Rebennack; Fred Gordy contributes vital Cybersecurity information; TridiumTalk: Cybersecurity Webinars — three registration opportunities; and new product release and information from Neptronic and ZKAccess. Don't miss this great video edition from Eric's new studio!

Toss the Key with Biometric Access.Stromquist is pleased to now be a distributor for ZKAccess, manufacturers of security access equipment. As one of the largest providers in the world, they have earned a reputation for technical innovation, quality, speed-to-market and reliability. These are just a few reasons why ZKAccess is the reader manufacturer of choice for so many OEMs, software developers, integrators, distributors and dealers worldwide.

Siemens Now Offering BAS Sensors through CGNA Distributors. It use to be that if you had a Siemens Building Automation Control System you had to go to the Siemens branch to buy all your replacement parts, including sensors. Although you still have to go back to the Siemens branch or factory direct contractor to get your properitory Siemens Building Automation controllers, you now have the option of buying the communicating wall sensors from independent distributors like the ones in Controls Group North America.

DOE Seeking Prototypes & Posters for Emerging Technology Pavilion. Building Technologies Office: Calling all innovators! Apply to share your early stage technologies at Energy ConneXions' Emerging Technology Pavilion. This event brings together leaders in the federal government and the private sector to advance collaboration, and offer viable solutions for improving outcomes and reducing costs at federal sites.

Neptronic Announces: Next Generation VAV and Fan Coil Controllers are Here! Neptronic, a leading manufacturer of HVAC Products and Solutions since 1976, is proud to announce that their game-changing Next Generation VAV and Fan Coil Controllers — are Available NOW! Huge hardware, software, and network improvements provide better precision, more application versatility, upgrades to BACnet V14, an dual menu selected BACnet or Modbus protocols. and context driven menu. Visit Neptronic today to see more features and benefits of Neptronic's Next Generation Controllers!

TridiumTalk: Cybersecurity and Why it Matters. Join Tridium's chief security architect, Kevin Smith, for our next TridiumTalk. Today's cybersecurity threats are sophisticated and growing, but there are ways to prepare yourself and your customers to combat these threats. That's why you won't want to miss our next TridiumTalk, Cybersecurity: Why it matters.

Ed Merwin at 2015 Realcomm|IBcon. Young gun, Rob Allen, caught up with "The Godfather" (yes, he will make you an offer you can't refuse), Ed Merwin, at the 2015 Realcomm|IBcon conference. What was the offer? Well, here is a hint, the number 4 is involved. Niagara 4 builds on the legacy of the Niagara Framework® in new and exciting ways. It's less reliant on browser plug-ins, faster and easier.

Are You Patching The Humans In Your Control System? Dan Kaufman, head of the Software Innovation Division for DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) was asked a question by Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes (view 60 Minutes segment) "Can the Internet be fixed? Or do we just have to throw this one out and build a whole new Internet from scratch, with security built in?"

Rob Allen's 7 Minutes in Control with Honeywell's Roger Rebennack. Young Gun, Rob Allen welcomes the incomparable Roger Rebennack to 7 Minutes in Control. Roger, one of the most knowledgeable experts in access and security systems, shares with Rob the 5 primary reasons building owners and facility managers need to integrate access and security controls to their BAS now.

The post ControlTalk NOW Week Ending July 19, 2015 appeared first on ControlTrends.

ControlTalk NOW for week ending July 12, 2015, features a recap of the 4th of July holiday week; interviews with Realcomm's Jim Young, LumenCache's Derek Cowburn, and Networking Conversations: Understanding IIoT with Sierra Monitor's Varun Nagaraj; Industry and DOE webinars and calendar dates for upcoming events (Register Today!); Project Haystack demo; and an important DG Logik Adobe update.

ControlTalk NOW for week ending July 5, 2015 (sans video) wraps up a short holiday week with HVAC and Building Automation highlights including product posts from Belimo and Sierra Monitor Corporation; interview with John Petze, DOE's Program Funding, and a preview look at Ken Sinclair's "Finding Reality in a Virtual World," and Belimo's Lar van der Haegen assumes duties as the CEO of Belimo Global.

ControlTrends Around the World Premier with Special "Down Under" Guest: Richard McElhinney from Australia. Richard is a veteran systems integrator with Airmaster and Vice President, Board of Directors at Project Haystack Corporation. Richard shares the five big take-aways from Haystack Connect 2015 and fills the ControlTrends Community on what's new in Australia. Join us next week for another global ControlTrends correspondent!

FREE Smart Building Webinar: Project Haystack – Working with Data from the Internet of Things. PROJECT HAYSTACK WORKING WITH DATA FROM THE INTERNET OF THINGS. JULY 22, 2015 | 4:00PM UK TIME Featured guests: Q&A with Marc Petock of Lynxspring & John Petze of SkyFoundry Discussing how the open source initiative Project Haystack is streamlining working with data from the Internet of Things; creating standardized semantic data models and web services with the goal of making it easier to unlock value from the vast quantity of data being generated by smart buildings. Register here!

Jim Young Recaps Realcomm|IBcon 2015 and Reveals the Next Big Trend in Smart Buildings. It was my great pleasure to catch up with the always prophetic Jim Young at the hugely successful 2015 Realcomm|IBcon Conference in San Antonia, TX. In addition to recapping the great event that he and his team orchestrated, Jim offers us a glimpse at what could be the next game-changing technology in Smart Buildings: DC Micro Grids.

Put New Tools and Content on the Building America Solution Center To Work for You! Join us for a free webinar on July 22, 2015, presented by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building America program! Each month's webinar will offer information about the latest advances in residential building technologies and practices, presented by Building America research team and national laboratory experts, and DOE Program Managers. Date/Time: July 22, 2015; 3:00–4:30 PM EST. Register now!

Press Release: Lynxspring Announces October Lynxspring Exchange!Lee's Summit, MO. July 7, 2015 Lynxspring, a premier developer and provider of open, IP-control solutions for building automation, energy management, cyber protection, and device-to-enterprise integration today announced it will hold The Lynxspring Exchange and Partner Conference on October 26th-28th at the Argosy Hotel and Casino in Riverside, Missouri. Register here!

2015 Project Haystack's Amazing Live Demo — The Future of Tagging is Here. Using an integrated live audience, a host of visual props, and three screens, the masters of Mythbusting, Jason Briggs and Scott Muench brought Haystack tagging to life instantly and with profound effect. In close cooperation and support of the growing Haystack community of manufacturers, vendors, and sponsors — including : J2 Innovations, SkyFoundry, Lynxspring, Altura, Pacific Controls, Siemens, KMC Controls, Contemporary Controls, WattStopper, Veris, bueno, Onicon, Wind, Daintree Networks, BASSG, Airmaster, Connexx energy, Lobos/Yardi, Intellastar, and CBRE/ESI, Project Haystack continues its mission to bring the world of building integration to maximum efficiency and benefit.

Catching Up with Derek Cowburn from LumenCache. Jim Young introduced me to Derek Cowburn, and the concept of the DC micro grid, at the 2015 Realcomm|IBcon conference. Jim believes that Derek has a technology that will radically change how we power devices. When the ever prophetic, Jim Young speaks, we listen.Derek's technology is in the mix of the green tech wave that is upon us.

DG LOGIK UPDATE! – Adobe Releases a Patch to Flash Player which Eliminates Vulnerability. Important UPDATE! – Adobe has now released a patch to flash player which eliminates this vulnerability. Please ensure that you have the most up to date Flash player which includes the patch for this vulnerability. We, at DGLogik, want to assure you that we remain committed to supporting DGLux2, and you can continue utilizing it without concern as Adobe has now patched this issue.

Sierra Monitor Networking Conversations — Video Volume 1: Understanding IIoT. This first Sierra Monitor Networking Conversation video is an extremely comprehensive and important overview of the economic impact and changes that the Industrial Internet of Things (IIot) is making within our industry. Join in on the conversation as Sierra Monitor's CEO, Varun Nagaraj, rewards viewers with a remarkably down-to-earth insight into the most significant and economically vibrant aspects of IIoT and the opportunities these changes represent. The channels and business models for the OEMs, integrators, and facility/building managers are indeed changing. Are you?

ControlTrends Event Information Calendar Update. Put New Tools and Content on the Building America Solution Center To Work for You! Join us for a free webinar on July 22, 2015, presented by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building America program! Each month's webinar will offer information about the latest advances in residential building technologies and practices, presented by Building America research team and national laboratory experts, and DOE Program Managers. Date/Time: July 22, 2015; 3:00–4:30 PM EST. Register now!

The post ControlTalk NOW Week Ending July 12, 2015 appeared first on ControlTrends.

ControlTalk NOW week ending June 28, 2015 features products from BASSG, LLC, and ACI; DOE's latest Crowdsourcing Initiative; interviews with Newcombe and Boyd's Donny Walker, and SmartCore's Will Winn; Mike Marston's Inaugural BAS Pub Talk; Honeywell's Niagara 4 Head Start Program and Momentum 2015; and the ControlTrends Event Information Calendar Update previewing a variety of HVAC and Building Automation information announcements and industry events. Help ControlTrends help you — by forwarding your organization's up-coming events, training, webinars, and product releases — and we'll gladly post them ControlTrends!

Alper Üzmezier, BASSG, LLC, Presents Cool New Thermostat from BAS.co. The ever inventive, Alper Üzmezier, BASSG, LLC, introduced us to a very cool thermostat at Haystack Connect. This is more than your average commercial thermostat. With a port on the back of the thermostat, you can control your Dali Lighting ballast directly from this thermostat, you can add remote I/O, and get data from the thermostat via modes on BACnet MS/TP.

ACI'S NEW A/CO2 SERIES: Room and Duct sensors only strengthen an already distinguished product lineup. The A/CO2 Series sensors are a cost-efficient means of monitoring carbon dioxide levels in industrial, school, and office-type environments. Output data can be used in conjunction with a Building Automation System or Demand Control Ventilation System.

DOE's Crowdsourcing Initiative Seeks to Solve Buildings-Related Problems (Watch Video). Calling all building technology innovators! The Building Technologies Office is partnering with the successful SunShot Catalyst crowdsourcing initiative to identify and solve problems related to software development, data, and/or automation. Individuals who submit a problem statement will have a chance to win a $1,000 cash prize! Problem statements need to be submitted by July 15, 2015.

What Kind of Consulting Engineer Shows up at Realcomm|IBcon? What kind of consulting engineer shows up at shows like Realcomm|IBcon? Well, the enlighten ones, like Donny Walker do. It is refreshing to see more and more consulting engineers coming to conferences like Realcomm|IBcon and getting the 411 on the latest building automation controls technologies and solutions.

Inaugural Episode of BAS Control Pub Talk with Mad Mike Marston. We affectionately refer to EasyIO's Mike Marston — as Mad Mike Marston, because of his effervescent scientific approach towards building solutions. In the first relaxing hours after an intensive 2-day conference show, ControlTrends adjourned with Mike, to a near-by microbrewery restaurant.

SmartCore's Will Winn on Making Your Building Cyber Secure. I had a chance to catch up with Will Winn from SmartCore at the 2015 Realcomm|IBcon conference. Based in Charlotte, NC, SmartCore provides a five‐tiered framework that encompasses building management systems, physical security systems, digital media systems, network communications systems, and operational support solutions.

Get an Edge with Niagara 4 Head Start Program!As the excitement builds for the release of the next generation of the Niagara Framework®, now is the time to take advantage of its features and benefits before the official launch. This program introduces the Niagara 4 Head Start bundle for current Niagara AX TCP certified professionals.

Honeywell MOMENTUM 2015 — IT STARTS HERE! BUSINESS-BUILDING INSIGHTS — Join Honeywell Building Control Systems in our mission to drive technological innovation, sustainability and profitable growth. We're advancing the industry with unprecedented speed and power, but it's only with you that we can transform our momentum into true success.

ControlTrends Event Information Calendar Update: Use ControlTrends to help keep you on track and up-to-date with all of the HVAC and Building Automation information announcements and industry events. Help ControlTrends help by forwarding your organization's up-coming events, training, webinars, and product releases — and we'll gladly post them ControlTrends!

The post ControlTalk NOW Week Ending June 28, 2015 appeared first on ControlTrends.