Time to hire automation Tech?

[chiller mekanik]

Lately I've had several missed opportunities as a mechanical services provider because we are not in the automation biz. However, each situation involved a different brand. So, here are my questions:

How does an independent shop provide service to different brands?

For example, if we wanted to service a Siemens or Johnson system, would this be possible?

How do we buy parts?

What about continueing education?

Where do I run into the brick wall?.

Do I have to become a dealer?

If so, why?

If I am a dealer or rep for the XYZ control company, how does that help me service other brands?

This may be a pipe dream.

Any help or input would be appreciated.

[tlp261]

Siemens Apogee DDC is only available from their factory branch offices. I don't know for sure but assume they wouldn't be helpful in providing parts, programming tools, etc. Their Staefa product is a contractor brand but I think is only sold to their Staefa dealers.

Much of the Johnson Metasys N2 and newer FX product lines and tools are available from Johnson distributors, although some of the high end Metasys product is only available to the branch offices. The JCI distributors offer training on the products they sell.

Honeywell has some products available through distributors, some only available to Honeywell contractors, and some only to branch offices.

There are many other brands on the market and you need to look at how each is marketed to know the availability of parts and tools.

You need to evaluate what brands have a large enough installed base in your service area to be worth attempting. Other than whatever brands a tech already knows when you hire them, there is going to be a definite learning curve.

In my opinion, your first attempt (or first few attempts) to install or service a new control brand will not be profitable when priced competively. It has to be a long term investment.

On the positive side, if you have a brand whose installed base isn't happy with their current service provider, there's an opportunity.

Hope this helps.

[Bill Tappin]

Metasys is through an approved trained contractor, you have to go through their hoops. It's pretty much the same with the major brands. My company sells NOVAR, DISTECH, and unfortuneatly Carrier CV3. We try and stay away from most others because the adapters, software, etc adds up quickly. I now carry two laptops, with about 3k in software for each type of system.

[kbr58]

I have been trying to get our company to do the same thing , but my boss is worried about upsetting JCI. They are in deep in our area , just about every
good size job is spec for them. We are a mechanical contractor first and we need to be able to get prices from them .

[Chris_Worthington]

Tridium,,,, and the time is here for automated $$$$$$

[freddy-b]

I have been trying to get our company to do the same thing , but my boss is worried about upsetting JCI. They are in deep in our area , just about every
good size job is spec for them. We are a mechanical contractor first and we need to be able to get prices from them .

They are whores. They will still sell you mechanical related stuff.

[mechdorn]

Lately I've had several missed opportunities as a mechanical services provider because we are not in the automation biz. However, each situation involved a different brand. So, here are my questions:

How does an independent shop provide service to different brands?

For example, if we wanted to service a Siemens or Johnson system, would this be possible?

How do we buy parts?

What about continueing education?

Where do I run into the brick wall?.

Do I have to become a dealer?

If so, why?

If I am a dealer or rep for the XYZ control company, how does that help me service other brands?

This may be a pipe dream.

Any help or input would be appreciated.
JCI appears to be the obstacle to overcome. Start small; learn the existing field controllers on your customer’s site. Insist to be present when JCI comes to the site for repairs and upgrades (even if it cost your company money). Don't be fooled about JCI’s upper line, it blows. The new FX field controllers coupled with FX -Tridium head-end line is far better than anything the JCI branch has to offer. Most of the field controller software is low cost ($350 or less), if not free. The head end software can be costly ($3000). Keep in mind, the end user’s last resort is to call on a branch service provider; they know it will be an extraordinary bill, a couple of days before it's repaired, and an overall hassle. To become a controls dealer, find a supplier who provides a line of JCI controllers. Until you start selling controls, give them some business in other ways, transformers, actuators, dampers, VFDs, and sensors. Most control suppliers are willing and able to provide on site programming (with a cost) and technical assistance. Finding a guy within your company who is willing and able to learn controls, and deal with all the new headaches, maybe your company’s biggest challenge.

[Chris_Worthington]

Most control suppliers are willing and able to provide on site programming (with a cost) and technical assistance.

Then there are guys like me looking to make a few extra bucks doing "off" site programming :D

[duke of earl]

Chiller Mekanik,

Where do you live?

[chiller mekanik]

To be specific, I live in Jacksonville Florida.

[rad1]

Check out NECC in Havertown,PA
They sell johnson stuff, Honeywell stuff, and more. They have a tech suport engineer who is excellent. Look at their website-www.neccdelivers.com