Device Support 2.1 includes the LNS® support files for the newest Circon controller, the UHC-400, including XIF and plug-ins.  In addition, Device Support 2.1 includes the new Circon Catalyst® graphical programming editor for LNS, used to create and edit programs for the UHC-400.  

Note: The UHC-400 and the Catalyst programming editor are only supported on LNS.  Niagara^AX support will be included in a future version.

Finally, Device Support 2.1 includes a significant number of bug fixes for Device Support 2.0, and includes support for Niagara^AX 3.6 for the 300 series.

For further information, please consult the release notes included with the install set, or at the Partner Services Website.  To download this release as a PDF document, click here.

Availability, Ordering, and Pricing Information

Device Support 2.1 is now available through download from EBAC’s FTP site or via CD by issuing a purchase order for the following part number:

• Device Support 2.1 – part #11-0030

Device Support 2.1 is a no-cost download, please contact EBAC technical support to obtain download instructions.  Should you require a version on CD, a $75 charge is applicable.

Software Maintenance Policy

You are encouraged to upgrade to Device Support 2.1 as it is EBAC’s policy is to focus our support and maintenance efforts on the latest version of software, providing periodic maintenance upgrades at minimum or no cost.

Other features include:

• Improved support for dynamic network variables (dynamic nvs are supported when copy/pasting a UHC-400)
• The ability to download firmware to the UHC-400 (using .CXE files)
• Better support for the Virtual Functional Block (which unifies the process of creating dynamic nvs on the LNS Network Interface with that of the other functional blocks)
• Support for Virtual Functional Block in the Circon Graphics Editor
• Dynamic nvs used in new graphics are linked by programmatic name (rather than index), allowing graphics including dynamic nvs to be reused between controllers, and allows links to dynamic nvs on graphics to remain valid, even if the index of the nv has changed as a result of changes made in the Circon Catalyst editor

Additional features in 4.0 SP2 have been added to unify NI with VI, these include:

• The ability to create customers and sites directly from the navigation tree
• The ability to create backups directly from the navigation tree
•  The ability to open multiple sites at once
• The ability to Inspect nvs/cps from controllers from different sites at the same time
•  The “auto-logoff” feature from VI has also been included in NI

For further information, please consult the release notes included with the install set for both products, or at the Partner Services Website.  To download this release as  PDF, click here.

Availability and Ordering Information

NI and VI 4.0 SP2 are now available through download from EBAC’s FTP site or via CD by issuing a purchase order for part number:

• NI 4.0 SP2 Upgrade – 11-0318
• VI 4.0 SP2 Upgrade – 11-0319

The price is $75 and the purchasing multiplier does not apply.  Be aware that the upgrade file does not contain any of the software prerequisites listed in the release notes.  You must obtain those separately and install them prior to installing 4.0 SP2.

Software Maintenance Policy

You are encouraged to upgrade to NI and VI 4.0 SP2 as it is EBAC’s policy is to focus our support and maintenance efforts on the latest version of software, providing periodic maintenance upgrades at minimum or no cost.

The UHC-400 marks a strategic shift in EBAC’s Circon product suite, moving to a powerful processor and utilizing the new Catalyst graphical programming environment.  The result is a feature set that provides access to over 400 Standard Network Variables (SNVTs), including 256 user-defined NVs and ability to bind to 256 devices on a LonWorks network.

“In developing the UHC-400, we looked at what the Circon product did well in the past, while ensuring we developed a product with the scalability and features that would be our platform for the future.” states Surge Uppal, Principal of EBAC.  “It is our intent to continue to build on this new processing power in developing new and exciting products for our clients.”

Key features of the UHC-400 include:

• Powerful, industry-leading 32-bit ARM processor
• Fully programmable with flexible and easy-to-use Circon Catalyst® programming tool; with support for floating point and structured SNVTs
• 12 universal inputs and 10 universal outputs configurable for voltage, current, resistance and dry contacts; all are software configurable
• High performance LonTalk stack with support over 400 network variables (NVs) including 256 user-defined NVs and 256 address table entries (can be bound to 256 different devices on the LON network)
• Battery backed real-time clock (on-board lithium rechargeable) allows for time-based events, data logging and network master operation
• Auxiliary 15 VDC output for powering peripheral devices
• Adaptable for standalone applications (with on-board scheduling, alarming and trending) or as part of a networked operation

To view the UHC-400 datasheet, visit our Circon Products page, or click here.

For more detail, please contact EBAC at info@circon.com or +1 (604) 248-4404.  To download this release as a PDF document, click here.

About Efficient Building Automation Corporation

Efficient Building Automation Corporation (EBAC) is a privately-held provider of open, interoperable and integrated facility automation products and services. More than a leading-edge developer and manufacturer of products based on LonWorks® open systems technology, EBAC is dedicated to helping its integrator customers apply the most appropriate technologies, tools, products and services to a wide variety of facility automation and control requirements.

For more information, please visit our website: www.circon.com

Sourcing experienced automation talent, whether in sales, engineering, field services or other areas of the industry, is an ongoing issue for most companies.  In an effort to assist our clients, EBAC has formed a strategic arrangement with BirdDog to provide an experienced resource in this field.

BirdDog offers a pro-active, diversified recruitment approach that clients to take control by leveraging four resources proven to provide good hires; your website, internet job boards, word-of-mouth referrals and social media. Visit www.birddogjobs.com/EBAC for more information.

About Efficient Building Automation Corporation

Efficient Building Automation Corporation (EBAC) is a privately-held provider of open, interoperable and integrated facility automation products and services. More than a leading-edge developer and manufacturer of products based on LonWorks® open systems technology, EBAC is dedicated to helping its integrator customers apply the most appropriate technologies, tools, products and services to a wide variety of facility automation and control requirements.

For more information, please visit our website: www.circon.com

About BirdDog

Bird Dog is a service of Industry People Group, Inc., a company with a rich 14 year history of providing “Specialty Job Boards and Technology Based Recruiting Solutions to Specialized Industries like Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing”.  Our flagship site has been MEPjobs.com, which continues to be the standard in the MEP industry for job seekers and employers.

To download this announcement as a PDF file, click here.

San Jose, California

Keeping with its mandate to design energy efficient HVAC systems, the AOC is specifying the LonMark open systems standard to help reduce building energy consumption by 15 percent or more. The AOC Building Management System (BMS) requires the use of an “open system” utilizing LonMark certified products allowing total facility control to manage, monitor, trend, schedule, down and up load data to and from building MEP systems network devices and the ability to communicate using the AOC Wide Area Network (WAN) or the Internet.

The Carol Miller Superior Courthouse, located in Sacramento, California was one of the first facilities to transition from proprietary to open systems. This 1990 vintage Building Management System underwent a retrofit to an advanced building control system using LonMark certified products. The system is tied into a server that monitors building space temperatures, HVAC equipment operations, alarms, trends, off normal conditions, electrical, gas and water consumption. The same server allows multiple users to concurrently monitor and control the various building disciplines.

ACS Controls, headquartered in North Highlands California, is the system integrator for the Carol Miller project installing LonMark certified controllers from Schneider Electric. ACS Controls is configuring the system with Echelon’s Lonmaker® Turbo integration tool to an Schneider Electric Vista graphical user interface.

“We are working on several new and retrofit courthouse projects throughout Northern California,” said Mitch Slavenky, president of ACS Controls. “As other courthouses are converted to LonMark open systems they will be integrated into a single server for data collection. The new LonMark based systems are expected to result in fewer occupant complaints, lower operational costs and improvements in HVAC system operation,” Slavensky added.

“LonMark International played an important role in helping the AOC with the development of their vision, specification standards, and helping supply a statewide list of qualified control system integrators,” said Barry Haaser, executive director of LonMark International. Both ACS Controls and LonMark International are working closely with the AOC to advise on industry best practices for designing and installing open interoperable systems,” continued Haaser.

###

About LonMark International
LonMark International is a non-profit corporation supporting the testing and certification of products, people and companies supporting the ISO/IEC 14908 body of standards.  Its nearly 400 members manufacture, distribute, develop, install or use systems based on these standards.  For more information about LonMark International please visit www.lonmark.org.

San Jose, Calif.– Sept. 13, 2011–

In this position, Haaser’s responsibilities include implementing the strategy and management of LonMark International. He will also be instrumental in the expansion of the organization’s membership, certification and interoperability programs.

“We are pleased to expand Barry’s role to executive director,” said Tracy Markie, chairman of LonMark International. “Barry’s commitment and enthusiasm for the organization’s mission is matched by his experience and proven ability to execute.”

Haaser is the president of the Lakeview Group, a company providing marketing and association management services to trade associations. Haaser has extensive experience creating and managing industry alliances and trade associations including the Digital Home Alliance, Home Lighting Control Alliance, LonMark International, OpenADR Alliance, SunSpec Alliance and the USNAP Alliance. Prior to starting his own company, Haaser spent 15 years with Echelon Corporation (ELON) where he held a number of marketing and business development positions in the U.S. and Europe. Haaser previously was vice president of marketing at Alacritech and director of marketing at Saratoga Systems.

Haaser succeeds Ron Bernstein, who served as executive director since 2006. LonMark International is grateful to Ron for his dedication, commitment and success over the last five years. Bernstein will be taking on a new role as senior director of commercial programs and business development for the open building controls market at Echelon.

About LonMark International

LonMark International is an international, non-profit corporation supporting the testing and certification of products, people and companies supporting the ISO/IEC 14908 body of standards. Its nearly 400 members manufacture, distribute, develop, install or use systems based on this standard. For more information about LonMark International please visit www.lonmark.org.

LonMark, LonWorks and the LonMark logo are registered trademarks of Echelon Corporation in the U.S. and other jurisdictions.

Media Contact:
Shannon Mayette
LonMark International
+ 1-602-882-4733
shannon.mayette@lonmark.org

To read more about the custom solution implemented that achieved an Energy Star Rating, click here.

Surrey, British Columbia, Canada – Efficient Building Automation Corp. (EBAC), a leader in open-protocol building automaton control products, and Lynxspring, Inc., a technology company with a focus on interoperability, are pleased to announce a strategic OEM partnership that will allow EBAC to supply and support the Niagara platform and products to its channel of authorized System Integrators and value-added resellers. 

As part of EBAC’s ongoing strategy to deliver integration options and solutions, the Lynxspring JENEsys™ Niagara product will allow EBAC to provide its clients with an industry proven, third party protocol integration platform.  “The addition of Niagara products to our existing offering was something that was both being requested by our System Integrators, and was something we ultimately felt would benefit our customers in delivering multi-protocol automation solutions.” said Fraser Newton, Manager of Sales and Business Development for EBAC.  “Through our market evaluation for a Tridium OEM relationship, we felt that Lynxspring – as both our technology partner and product supplier – would provide EBAC and our clients the best service and support, and a distinct competitive advantage.”

The Lynxspring JENEsys product will be branded by EBAC as Circon Facility Integrator.  The Facility Integrator (FI) Niagara integration platform will work seamlessly with the existing AX Wizards for Circon controllers as well as third party products developed to function within the Niagara framework.  The FI products are now available and more information, such as part numbers, product data and pricing, can be obtained by contacting EBAC directly.

To view this release in PDF format, please click here.

About Efficient Building Automation Corporation

Efficient Building Automation Corporation (EBAC) is a privately-held provider of open, interoperable and integrated facility automation products and services. More than a leading-edge developer and manufacturer of products based on LonWorks® open systems technology, EBAC is dedicated to helping its integrator customers apply the most appropriate technologies, tools, products and services to a wide variety of facility automation and control requirements.

For more information, please visit our website: www.circon.com

About Lynxspring, Inc.

Lynxspring manufactures and distributes web-enabled, open protocol control solutions to fit the simplest to the most complex criteria building owners expect in today’s market. Using Tridium’s web-based Niagara^AX software in an embedded platform, Lynxspring provides normalized interoperability with standard and open protocols, and many legacy systems. Lynxspring believes that the intelligent use of both unique and third-party software products can increase quality assurance, productivity and repeatability in any market that uses an integrated approach in design, development and deployment of products and services.

For more information, please visit our website: www.lynxspring.com

It should be noted that all 400 Series devices released by EBAC will function seamlessly on the same LNS platform as the 300 Series devices, with no legacy issues.  Further information – availability, documentation, technical specifications, pricing, etc. – will be released through the Commercial Product Launch (date TBA shortly).  In the interim, please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.