As the winter period kicks in, it's a good time to look at how technologies can be implemented to make a difference to overall operating efficiency. The winter months are a key period when energy efficiency and reduced costs can be achieved. 

Well worth considering is the use of variable speed drives (VSDs), as the energy cost savings as a result of installing these devices can be significant. A centrifugal pump or fan running at 80 per cent speed consumes only half of the energy of one running at full speed. Variable speed drive installations generally lead to a Return on Investment (ROI) of a matter of months.

It is also possible to provide evidence of these savings. Under a range of environmental conditions - such as being on for one week and off the next - recorded energy values can automatically logged in the BEMS and then periodically uploaded to an online reporting system. Our solutions can automatically generate reports showing clear evidence of the financial justification and payback analysis of the investment.

Trend’s IQ®4E is the latest addition to the company’s industry leading range of control devices.Trend IQ4 controllers deliver high levels flexibility and functionality, whilst delivering the very highest levels of performance into a device that has an extremely small footprint.

Available in 16, 32, 64, 96, 128, 160 and 192-point variants; applications of all sizes can benefit from its best in class technology, while the ability to upgrade between the point variants provides increased flexibility.

Superior processing performance enables even the most complex HVAC applications to be controlled and the IQ®4E also has improved I/O bus capabilities, with an available length of up to 300m and the potential for 30 I/O modules to be configured. Additionally Trend has introduced a new Universal Input /Output module – 8UIO, allowing every channel to be configured as a digital input, thermistor input, current input, voltage input or voltage output. Once again, this versatility will deliver significant savings on installation and equipment costs as well as simplifying the potential maintenance stock.

To find out more about the new range of Trend IQ4 controllers, follow this link.

Download the IQ4E flyer

The working culture is changing as more people want to work remotely to balance their home and professional lives. There are growing pressures on employers to provide their employees with working out-of-office options. However, employee accountability remains a major issue with many employers and a reason as to why few companies allow it.

The traditional office routine remains a favoured model. Many leading CEOs believe that staff need to be working side-by-side to be productive saying that efficiency and quality often suffer when employees work away from the office.

Whilst working remotely is not for everyone, advances in technology are making remote working a feasible reality.

In the early 1990s, AIS Technology introduced biometric hand recognition devices instead of the traditional card punch clocks. For the first time, Maltese companies had the ability to ascertain that their employees were physically present at the place of work and not a card with their name on it. These devices changed the landscape of Time & Attendance record-keeping and over the years, AIS expanded the range of biometric technology with fingerprint and face recognition readers also being popular products.

For the past 25 years, AIS was on the forefront of innovative technology. On its anniversary, the company introduced an innovative solution for out-of-office time keeping.

TimeTec Cloud allows employees to literally punch in/out of work from anywhere in the world. Using a range of diverse technologies such as smartphones, computer logins or geo location identification, TimeTec Cloud provides employers a system by which remote workers are accountable, not only when they are working from home but also whilst servicing customers.

Happy people work better and employers need to recognise that more people are ready to work remotely and at odd hours if it means a more balanced work and home life. AIS Technology has the know-how to deliver this.