A MANUFACTURER'S PERSPECTIVE
Jennifer Schroer
Trane Building Automation Systems Division
AGENDA FOR THE PRESENTATION:
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Background of The Trane Company
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Purpose of the Symposium
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Review of the Benefits of a Data Standard
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Historical Involvement of Trane and Computerized Maintenance Management Software
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Equipment Manufacturer's Perspective
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Controls Manufacturer's Perspective
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Conclusion
BACKGROUND OF THE TRANE COMPANY
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Manufacturer of HVAC Mechanical Equipment and Building Controls
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Industry Leader
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International Company
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Systems Orientation
PURPOSE OF SYMPOSIUM
To determine if there is a need for a data input standard by which recommended maintenance procedures and tasks for HVAC equipment could be loaded directly into the databases of all CMMS programs. My impression is that this data standard is a “communication protocol” that links Building Control and Automation systems with Computerization Maintenance Software programs via some standard communication protocol. This concept appeares difficult to achieve.
REVIEW OF THE BENEFITS OF A DATA STANDARD
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Owners will definitely benefit by being able to implement computerized maintenance management software packages in much less time than it takes today. CMMS vendors will benefit due to a customer driven, expanded market for CMMS packages because of easier installations
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Equipment manufacturers will be assured that the information input into CMMS packages is correct and that customers will be more likely to maintain their systems accurately
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In general, there appears to be a huge benefit for customers and CMMS vendors, but a challenge in coordinating the efforts of thousands of equipment manufacturers to adhere to one standard.
HISTORICAL INVOLVEMENT OF TRANE AND COMPUTERIZED MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
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Recognized a need of our customers for shared data between Building Controls and CMMS
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Established a link from our Building Control System to Four Rivers CMMS package
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Shares run time and alarm data.
EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS' PERSPECTIVE
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Like the standard idea as it meets customer needs
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Believe standardization of manuals is more achievable than a communication protocol standard
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Large effort to determine the standard and convince thousands of manufacturers to adhere to it
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Customer customization requests could pose a problem
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Needs to be a phased-in effort.
CONTROLS MANUFACTURERS' PERSPECTIVE
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Most control manufacturers are separate entities from equipment manufacturers
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Trane is the exception
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Therefore, building control manufacturers are only indirectly affected by this standard
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However, an improved CMMS market may improve the building control market.