KMC or Alerton

[islandcool]

We have an opportunity to take on either of these control systems (KMC or Alerton) and not sure which way to go. Have experience with Delta, Johnsons, and Walker and we know of Alerton but never really heard of KMC.
Does anyone have any feedback.

Cheers

[DiodeCutter_2K]

In my experience KMC has an OK field product line but their user front end is a poor excuse for a front end.

I would persue using Delta. The are Ethernet and Bacnet capable, their front end is usable and they are based in Canada 'ey.

Alerton was recently aquired by Honeywell. I do not have any current knowledge of how that aquisition is going.

[Control Man]

Its EH ! not sure what ey is ?

KMC and RELIABLE share / shared a lot of aspects in the past , RELIABLE made a lot of KMC's DDC components then they sort of parted ways.

KMC has a decent product , has a bad rep in areas of Canada as they have some bad reps , jobs are a mess.

If you do anything with them get your assigned area ETCHED in STONE , they give & take depending on who wants it at times ( at least in the past )

Use to be you dealt with KMC Canada in Toronto now theres at least 3 companies that sort of handle things in Toronto.

Suppose to be a sizeable $ increase taking place on all their products very shortly

[nik99]

KMC has had some internal problems in the last few years. They have now more or less restructured into a controls comany instead of a component manufacturer.
This resulted in alot of new people which in turn resulted in alot of new reps.
Many old reps are very bitter as they helped build the line only to be told by new people that there performance was not good enough and that they are now losing the line.
The result of this (depends on where of course) is that KMC is being bashed by many of these older reps.
I personally know two alerton reps that are very happy and succesful.

[ACCMan]

Regardless of the brand of control system you have installed, it is only as good as the installer/programmer.
With that said, talk to some of customers of the installing controls company to find out who you are dealing with, not just some sales rep. looking for their commission.
Many systems receive a "blackeye" due to the poor quality of the install.
On the other side of the coin, don't pay for a K car and expect a Viper.
From year to year the front-ends change, the features change, the hardware changes...... The support is the key to your satisifaction.

[islandcool]

Thanks for your input!
The KMC ditributor will take me to some of their sites, Alerton is hesitant. I think this is a no brainer.
Cheers

[misternorth79]

Regardless of the brand of control system you have installed, it is only as good as the installer/programmer.
With that said, talk to some of customers of the installing controls company to find out who you are dealing with, not just some sales rep. looking for their commission.
Many systems receive a "blackeye" due to the poor quality of the install.
On the other side of the coin, don't pay for a K car and expect a Viper.
From year to year the front-ends change, the features change, the hardware changes...... The support is the key to your satisifaction.

Amen to this! Both controller products will get the job done. From a spec side, either one will give you a good BTL solution for spec battles. Alerton is a little more rounded specific to BTL, but either one will work as long as you program it right.

[bobcontrols]

As others have said, any system is as good as the installer\programmer who put it up. I keep a 160+ PLC, 2000+ point KMC system in a 500K+ sqf size university, that controls HVAC, lighting and energy metering. I've installed and programmed Tracers 100, BC 8000 Systems, Excell (Honeywell), Andover, and other systems, yet KMC is by far a simpler system to install, program and operate. Yes, WCXL+ interface software leaves out features others include, but you may be spending 2.5K+ on the graphic packages alone, optional on many controls systems. Training an employee before handing out the job to your contractor, would insure close supervision of the job and you woudn't have to depend on them for servicing.