The First Facility Management Blog

The JACE-202-XPR-24 from Tridium is an embedded controller/server platform designed for remote monitoring and control applications. The unit combines integrated control, supervision, data logging, alarming, scheduling and network management functions, integrated IO with Internet connectivity and web serving capabilities in a small, compact platform. The JACE-202-XPR-24 makes it possible to control and manage external devices over the Internet and present real time information to users in web-based graphical views.

The JACE-202-XPR-24 from Tridium

The JACE-202-XPR-24 is part of the Tridium portfolio of Java-based controller/server products, software applications and tools, designed to integrate a variety of devices and protocols into unified, distributed systems.

Tridium products are powered by the NiagaraAX Framework®, a software technology that integrates diverse systems and devices into a seamless system. NiagaraAX supports a range of protocols including LonWorks®, BACnet®, Modbus, oBIX, and many Internet standards. The NiagaraAX Framework also includes integrated management tools to support the design, configuration and maintenance of a unified, real-time controls network. The integral IO, enclosure and low voltage input power supply, make this platform ideal for fast track (XPRress) projects.

The JACE-202-XPR-24 is ideal for smaller facilities, remote sites, and for distributing control and monitoring throughout large facilities. On-board inputs and outputs are available for applications where local control is required. The JACE-202-XPR-24 also supports a wide range of field busses for connection to remote I/O and stand-alone controllers. In small facility applications, the JACE-202-XPR-24 is all that is needed for a complete system.

The JACE-202-XPR-24 serves data and rich graphical displays to a standard web browser via an Ethernet LAN or remotely over the Internet. In larger facilities, multi-building applications and large-scale control system integrations, AX SupervisorTM software can be used to aggregate information (real-time data, history, alarms, etc.) from large numbers of JACEs into a single unified application. The Tridium AX Supervisor can manage global control functions, support data passing over multiple networks, connect to enterprise level software applications, and host multiple, simultaneous client workstations connected over the local network, the Internet, or dial-up modem.

Frost & Sullivan has recognized Tridium, Inc. with the 2009 North American Frost & Sullivan Enabling Technology of the Year Award, based on its recent analysis of the building automation systems (BAS) market. Tridium was noted for its efforts to advance building efficiency, maximize cost savings, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by optimizing energy usage. The company has expanded on its Niagara Framework to broaden the scope of device-to-enterprise integration platform within the realm of building technologies and beyond.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan, a business research and consulting firm, presents this award to the company that has developed a technology that can benefit or revolutionize the industry. The award recognizes the development of a system or enabling component that removes a significant obstacle in the development of a technology.

Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

Tridium’s Niagara is an extensible platform that supports the rapid and wide range development of device-to-enterprise applications. It integrates diverse systems and devices regardless of manufacturer or communication protocol into a unified platform. The technology is being adopted by integrators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and reseller partners to either implement the product as is or build upon the existing code.

“Having anticipated the technical future of the building automation industry, Tridium’s product line is designed around the standard IT infrastructure to capitalize on cost effectiveness while at the same time offering a comprehensively tailored package of unique features,” says Frost & Sullivan research analyst Jorge Moreno. “As a pioneer in the machine-to-enterprise segment, the company continues to provide customers with the tools to operate on a single, unified platform for integrated data sharing to improve efficiency and maximize cost savings.”

Niagara Framework is operating in 43 different countries, and grew by 34,000 instances in 2008. Tridium followed up with the Sedona Framework, an open source BAS framework that provides a platform for developing, integrating, connecting, and managing pervasive device applications at the lower level.

The Niagara Framework can be used in a variety of applications, such as energy management, lighting control, M2M, security automation, video integration, remote monitoring, and total facilities management. New growth areas for the technology include telecommunications, medical equipment, “smart cities” or intelligent infrastructures, smart homes, aviation, c-stores, and industrial applications.

“Due to this unique business model, Tridium has broken pertinent cost barriers to access the proprietary and legacy data from different systems and devices in a facility,” continues Moreno. “This revolutionary and timely concept not only facilitates simplification of the process of connectivity and integration, but also makes building management easier for end-users by building bridges between systems and devices.”

Tridium is an independent business entity of Honeywell International Inc. The company’s North American headquarters is located in Richmond, VA.

While children undergo medical care at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Phoenix, AZ, many parents will be staying next door at the new Ronald McDonald House. The facility, whichi is located on the hospital campus and opened in June, provides a home away from home for families of seriously ill and injured children receiving treatment at the hospital.

To make the facility’s building controls and security system integrate with each other and to provide a comfortable and safe environment for occupants, Tridium and its West coast distributor, Controlco, donated their Vykon Facility Automation and Security solutions to the new House. The Vykon solutions also integrate with the CCTV equipment donated by Dedicated Micros. A significant portion of the job labor and install was also donated by Controlco’s local Vykon Systems Integrator in Phoenix, Dataline Resource. This 17,300 square foot location will be one of the first Ronald McDonald facilities to combine this powerful combination of technology.

“This new Ronald McDonald House in Phoenix is a leading example of what can be accomplished by integrating access control, closed circuit television (CCTV), and building controls all in one facility through one platform,” said Andy McMahon, Controlco’s Area Sales Manager. “By using the Vykon Solutions, the builders have been able to select best of breed products, making this a leading edge project in the realm of controls integration.”

“Tridium is pleased to partner with Controlco on this very special project. Installing Vykon enables the local managers to integrate a variety of systems into one unified solution, reducing cost and overhead. This allows the house staff to focus on what is important—the patients and their families,” said Marc Petock, Tridium’s Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix For the past 20 years, Ronald McDonald House of Phoenix has offered a comfortable, welcoming and affordable haven for families who come to this “home-away-from-home.” The families stay for days, weeks, sometimes months at a time, while their children undergo medical treatment at Valley hospitals. They are asked to pay just $10 a day to stay at the House, but no family is ever turned away because of their inability to pay. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix is a non profit organization supported by individual, corporate and foundation donations.