"Words cannot fully portray what Innotech has done for our company. We would highly recommend Innotech to anyone interested in automation controls. The support and knowledge base has revolutionized our company and allowed us to acquire work that we would never have dreamed possible."
- Justin Topel, Bethlehem Controls
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We faced a dilemma. Our clients were consistently asking for innovative system designs that pushed the limits and set the standard. We knew our company had the capabilities to build these systems; however we had one major hurdle to clear, what was going to control the machine? We have used all of the current off-the-shelf components before, but they all lacked that ability to seamlessly function as one coherent system. Having multiple task-specific controllers severely limits the overall synergy and causes significant issues if modifications are needed. We knew that if we were going to pursue unknown territory and difficulty concerning controls, we needed to find a group who had significant experience, a diverse background, proven track record, and the desire to help us achieve a high performing system.
We looked for a very long time to see what we could come up with. This was our weak link, the area that would either win the job or toss you out of the running. We had to find the controls group, learn the controls system, and present the client with confident results. Our deadline to find the mystery firm was fast approaching! Off to Chicago for the 2009 AHR show with one main goal in mind.
With devout dedication we approached ALL of the major control companies with little to no result. They told us this system “probably could be done, but we would have to think about this some more.” We didn't have time to think about it, we needed to handle it soon to keep the client from losing hope that their dream would not become a reality. We knew this had been a problem many times before, but we couldn’t understand why it was so hard to find out who could handle the controls? We spoke to everyone at every booth, hoping they would know someone who could help. Two days later…..still nothing!
Day three of the show arrived, and was almost over when we happened to stop in a booth of a European radiant manufacturer. We spent time “venting” with the salesman concerning our problem. He said he knew a guy who had worked on several jobs with radiant cooling. We stood in amazement as he went over to find his friend. We introduced ourselves and immediately discussed what we were looking for, and he confidently told us where we could find this controls manufacturer. We quickly made our way over to the other exhibition hall to find the elusive company.
When we arrived at the Innotech booth we were greeted by Mr. Scott Gregson of Innotech America, and we asked him if their controls could handle radiant cooling. He looked at us and said “Of course, let me show you how easy it is with our system!” He performed a basic walk-through of the programming software and showed us how to do it ourselves. He then followed up with an explanation of how the previous projects had performed with Innotech Controls. We exchanged contact information as the show was starting to close. Our trip home was filled with awe and excitement. We now believed we had the capability to handle these complex projects.
Upon returning home, we spoke in much greater detail with Scott. His expertise and level of support was unparalleled by any supplier we had ever dealt with, and he had tremendous knowledge of controls, along with great practical ability. We knew we had our “secret weapon” We realized very quickly that we would have the “upper hand” in acquiring more work with this type of Control System. What we didn't realize is how big it would become!
We quickly signed on as Innotech dealers, received a computer with all software loaded, and Scott flew out to our company in Colorado to provide us with onsite training. It was a lot to learn at once, but he was very patient and helpful. In fact, he supplied and programmed our first project, which was one of our most complex solar systems. We were able to go to the job, land the wiring and the system functioned flawlessly on the first attempt. This system’s logic was so complex that we even had a hard time writing down the scenario, so we were amazed that the program worked so efficiently straight off the bat. We were dealing with multiple different solar arrays, multiple pumping scenarios, DHW (domestic hot water), boiler management, radiant heating, variable speed pumps, overheating control, outdoor reset, dual storage tanks, three heat exchangers, and system performance logging. To handle this with “off-the-shelf, canned program” controls would have been a nightmare. Scott and the Innotech Control System handled it with no problem. He showed us how the programming worked, and how to modify the scenario if needed. We were shocked at its flexibility and simplicity.
Our very next job was a Geo-Exchange (geothermal) house that wanted to be as close to net-zero as possible. The job called for radiant heating, radiant cooling, solar thermal, IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) based upon interior VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), loop field temperature management, and dehumidification. The project utilizes the solar thermal system to handle the DHW and loop field recharging. When the DHW call is satisfied, and we have an adequate solar resource, we turn on the ground loop pumps and divert the solar thermal flow to a heat exchange that transfers thermal energy to the loop field. Since we live in a heating dominant climate that removes more energy from the loop field than is put back in, we have to make sure we recharge the field to prevent the ground source heat pump working too hard. To achieve this, we monitor the incoming temperature from the loop field and see that the system is working very well. The owner also installed a photovoltaic solar (PV) system to help cover the electrical usage of the ground source heat pump. The system performs so well, the utility company provides him with a check every month.
We have also used the Innotech Controls for large solar systems performing district heating. We are currently monitoring two different panel manufacturers to compare actual performance against stated performance. The system also monitor solar insolation (the amount of the solar radiation received from the sun), BTU outputs for the different panel arrays, cost savings, DHW, storage tanks, pump rotations, system pressure, performance logging, and alarms.
A major university in our area recently toured this large solar system to consider solar thermal for their campus buildings. We showed them all of the parameters controlled in this system alone, and they were so impressed that they asked us to look at controlling all of their future installed equipment. We had no background in “forced air” equipment; however Scott assured us that the types of systems we had installed in the past were much more complicated than the equipment that was to be installed in this project. Due to Innotech America’s initial and ongoing support, our work load has increased so tremendously, that we had to open a separate controls branch. Even though the economy has not been very good in our area, we have been overwhelmed with work and continue to see tremendous growth. Due to the quality of our work, our flexibility, and the support displayed by Innotech America, the university has chosen our company to be the only approved vendor for their controls.
Words cannot fully portray what Innotech has done for our company. We would highly recommend Innotech to anyone interested in automation controls. The support and knowledge base has revolutionized our company and allowed us to acquire work that we would never have dreamed possible.
Respectfully,
Justin Topel
Bethlehem Controls
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"Our choice has been to predominately utilise Innotech equipment and hardware throughout our design and construct projects due to the quality of equipment, components and software with Innotech providing a high level engineering and support to help deliver the desired results from design phase through to completion of construction phase and current ongoing client needs."
- James Thompson, T&B Air Conditioning Services Pty Limited
To Whom It May Concern,
T&B Air Conditioning Services pty ltd have been a leader in the design, engineering, construction, service, maintenance and validation of air conditioning and mechanical services systems since June 1984 through to the present.
T&B Air Conditioning Services pty Ltd are renowned for our expertise in turn key operation of specialty built up systems specifically designed and engineered for the pharmaceutical industry which include a high level of Innotech engineering and equipment for the complete control, monitoring and validation of 24/7 365 day operation of these facilities.
Innotech software has provided our company and clients the tool for ongoing validation of these facilities. Our choice has been to predominately utilise Innotech equipment and hardware throughout our design and construct projects due to the quality of equipment, components and software with Innotech providing a high level engineering and support to help deliver the desired results from design phase through to completion of construction phase and current ongoing client needs.
T&B deliver various specialty projects throughout a wide range of applications in our industry, a part of our success is due to companies like Innotech whom have been consistent in meeting the challenges for specialty needs projects which incorporate compliance of stringent Australian Standards, Building Codes, Therapeutical Goods Administrations and specific client requirements.
T&B Air Conditioning Services Pty ltd are the preferred air conditioning and mechanical services team whom the pharmaceutical companies throughout southeast Queensland rely heavily on, we have provided various expertise to this industry in excess of 25 xe-ars through to the present.
Innotech has provided the necessary link in our success of specialty projects over this time.
Yours faithfully,
James Thompson
Director
T&B Air Conditioning Services Pty Limited
"Our experience with the North American Innotech Distributor, Scott and Carrie, has been very favorable. They seem to have a commitment to the dealers and a work ethic that is hands down best in the business. We appreciate being able to work with them. They are very loyal and are open to suggestion. They work long hours like we do, are supportive and very helpful. This makes them a joy to work with as the face of Innotech for North America."
- Brett Yates, YATES Company
Dear Sir,
I have been officially associated with the Innotech network as a dealer in Central and South Texas since December of 2011. I am the newbie, so to speak. I have been in the HVAC/Controls industry for over 25 years serving in roles as the customer as well as the service provider. Most recently, before starting this new business, I was president of Automated Logic – Texas. In our search for a product we were offered several opportunities at better known products in North America. We found out about Innotech through a very close business associate, where he recommended we include your product in our consideration. Our approach to choosing a product was to put together a team of individuals who are experts in the industry to interview prospective vendors. We chose professionals with trust worthy relationships in the industry to help us evaluate the products. Needless to say, we chose Innotech Controls.
Though many of the products can provide similar results on projects of various intent we chose Innotech for a few reasons that made Innotech stand out. First and foremost, the controls industry in our area has left a less than favorable taste in the mouth of many. Picking up one of the other better known products would actually lead to having to break down doors that have previously been shut. Though Innotech is new to North America it has a considerable background, thus, providing a history of sustainability. This would allow us to offer something "new" to our customers yet with a proven track record. Additionally, we found the product to be very scalable to customer needs. Many other products are less scalable and are “all or none”. For instance, free software that can control, simulate, configure and remotely connect without a frontend or database. Not many if any to my knowledge exist, but, some customers don’t require web app servers or have any interest in them. This product is capable of all of the extremes with ATOM, eServer, Magellan, etc. but is also capable of standing alone with great features like built in LCD displays on modules or a Mini-port to access user variables in all of them.
Our experience with the North American Distributor, Scott and Carrie, has been very favorable. They seem to have a commitment to the dealers and a work ethic that is hands down best in the business. We appreciate being able to work with them. They are very loyal and are open to suggestion. They work long hours like we do, are supportive and very helpful. This makes them a joy to work with as the face of Innotech for North America.
I am sure the further we get into the product the more advantages we will find. We will also have more feedback for product development as we progress. Complacency is the first step in going backwards in time. We are absolutely positive that we have picked a product in Innotech that will keep us advancing in technology, a company that is receptive towards suggestion and all the while bringing added benefit to our loyal customers.
Sincerely,
Brett Yates
YATES Company
Telstra has been using Innotech Controls for over nine years.
As Australia’s leading telecommunications and information services’ company, Telstra offers a full range of services throughout Australia via a fixed and mobile network infrastructure.
Because of climate differences and the vast geographical area of Australia, there was varying requirements for each of Telstra’s suburban and rural telephone exchanges and the small unmanned sites. A wide range of Innotech products utilising both Analogue and Direct Digital Controls Systems were used in over five hundred sites.
Innotech products were found to be reliable, versatile and supported by easy to program software. These products are now used on Telstra Telephone Exchanges throughout Australia.
Innotech has been providing solutions for Queensland Rail (QR) since 1993.
The QR Group of companies is a $3 billion a year national transport enterprise. Each day the QR network operates over 1,000 train services and moves over 160,000 people and 650,000 tonnes of freight. There is approx. 10000 kilometres of rail in Queensland to be maintained and managed.
Innotech Genesis and Maxim Series controllers have been installed in the majority of QR’s passenger fleet. Over 1200 Direct Digital Controllers are in service throughout the QR network.
Innotech products have proven themselves to be rugged and reliable as they are regularly subjected to high levels of shock and vibration. Their ability to withstand higher than average levels of electrical transients has also contributed to their ongoing preference by QR.
Since 2003 Innotech has been a preferred supplier of controls for Aldi Stores.
Aldi, as an international leader in the discount retail field, has been in Australia since 2001. They have experienced rapid growth and now have over 120 stores nationwide. Aldi’s reputation as a provider of high quality products at low prices has been established with consumers.
The Innotech Maxim Series III has recently become specified for all Aldi Stores to provide energy efficient operation of their equipment throughout Australia.
The MTN Group Ltd is a leading provider of communication services, offering cellular network access and business solutions in 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East. In December 2006, MTN recorded more than 40 million subscribers across its operations.
Innotech Controls have been installed on a number of major MTN sites. These products are used for remote and on site monitoring, alarm handling and control of the MTN sites mechanical services.
Standard Bank Group is one of the big four full-service South African banks. The company operates from 18 African countries and 20 international locations. The Standard Bank Group is the largest South African banking group ranked by assets and earnings. The group employs more than 42,000 people worldwide.
Innotech products were chosen to retrofit the Corporate Headquarters of the Standard Bank because of their reliability, versatility and low life cycle cost.
As Australia's leading retailer, Harvey Norman provides the most current product innovations and advancements from all leading brands. Their range includes electrical and computer needs, home entertainment systems, innovative home appliances and professional service.
Innotech has been supplying digital controls to third party contractors for work on Harvey Norman stores since 2003. The reliability of the products and ease at which these third party contractors are able to complete their own engineering without technical input from Innotech has been major selling point.
Austal Marine, the world’s largest builder of fast ferries, commenced operations in 1988. They are situated on Jervoise Bay waterfront in Henderson, 8 km south of Fremantle Western Australia. Their vision was to build high quality commercial vessels for the international market. Today they provide one of the most substantial product bases of any shipbuilder worldwide. This includes passenger and vehicle-passenger ferries, coastal combat ships, high speed military support vessels, patrol boats, cruise vessels, live-aboard, offshore crew/supply boats and private vessels.
Innotech air-conditioning control systems have been installed on many of these vessels. Innotech’s bullet proof reliability in the harsh conditions encountered in a marine environment has provided long term stable results.
Argos has been one of the United Kingdom’s most reputable retailers since 1973. The company, which deals in general merchandise and home wares, has over 680 stores throughout the UK and Ireland and serves upwards of 130 million customers per year.
Innotech controls have been specified outright for use on all new stores and all refurbishments. To date, Innotech controllers have been installed in 180 new Argos stores, and through the Argos refurbishment program, old controls are being replaced with state-of-the-art devices from the Maxim range.
Operating from a network of large warehouse stores Bunnings is the leading retailer of home improvement and outdoor living products in Australia and New Zealand and a major supplier to project builders, commercial tradespeople and the housing industry.
Innotech have been engaged on numerous new and existing warehouses to provide a standardised energy efficient Building Management System.
Southern Cross University is a contemporary Australian university with campuses at the Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Lismore and Coffs Harbour. With students from more than 80 countries throughout the world, SCU offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in an inspiring and supportive learning environment.
Innotech have been engaged to provide a centralized campus wide Energy Monitoring and Building Management Solution to allow SCU to better manage their use of power and water.
Multi-purpose Services are integrated health and aged care services that provide flexible and sustainable service options for small rural and remote communities to bring a flexible mix and range of aged care and health services together under one management structure. This provides small communities who are having difficulty supporting a range of independently run services.
Innotech have been engaged extensively to provide Building Management Systems to control the Mechanical Plant, Lighting and to provide monitoring of the Generators, Power and Medical Gases.
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