As technology continues to advance, more and more industry mobile applications are becoming available for smartphones and tablets. These mobile apps can be valuable tools for HVACR customers, contractors, distributors, and manufacturers.

Here at The NEWS, we will be spotlighting several of these mobile apps each month. If you have an app you would like included in the App Zone, please email jenanesi@achrnews.com.

Danfoss KoolCode App

Company: Danfoss

Platform(s): iOS and Android devices

Release date: September 2012

Cost: Free

Available for download: Apple iTunes Store and Google Play

Description: Technicians can save time and increase productivity with the Danfoss KoolCode App for looking up ADAP-KOOL® controller information. The fast and easy-to-use app provides service technicians, refrigeration engineers, in-store technicians, and others with on-the-spot access to alarm status and parameter descriptions for a range of Danfoss refrigeration controllers with a three-digit display.

User/Developer quote: “The new KoolCode™ app will make it much easier for technicians to look up all the different codes for ADAP-KOOL anywhere at any time – a true convenience when you’re out in the field.”

Peter Dee
Sales and service director
Danfoss

Publication date: 5/20/2013

Combustion Safety

Company: Advanced Energy

Platform(s): iOS and Android devices

Release date: December 2012

Cost: Free

Available for download: Apple iTunes Store and Google Play

Description: This application is a tool to be used by residential contractors who perform combustion safety testing. The app simplifies and directs the process in a step-by-step manor with optional instruction along the way. As data is entered, the application is storing and/or calculating information to determine pass or fail for Combustion Appliance Zones as well as providing action items as needed. This application transforms the multifaceted Combustion Safety testing into a series of simple questions. As you answer these questions, the app will do the rest of the work.

User/Developer quote: “It’s the first app of its kind for the building science industry.”

Bernard Brown
UX/UI Developer
Advanced Energy

Publication date: 5/20/2013

ProntoForms 

Company: TrueContext Corp.

Platform(s): iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Mobile, and Blackberry

Release date: February 2013 (Version 4.1)

Cost: Free 30-day trial; monthly subscription fee per user after trial ends

Available for download: Apple iTunes Store, Google Play

Description: ProntoForms is a mobile form business workflow solution, able to dispatch office data to and collect data from the field, as well as route data to and/or through popular cloud services. Its mobile form application includes features such as text, voice-to-text, signature, photo, and barcode captures; geo and time stamps; skip logic and lookup tables; and online/offline functionality. ProntoForms is easily integrated with any back-office system via its API and also connects to HTTP and FTP sites. Big or small, ProntoForms can mobilize any size business and eliminate paper form processes.

User/Developer quote: “Going mobile with me and my team means having all my information centralized and accessible without any delays. That saves time and speeds up my ability to invoice customers, which means I get paid faster.”

Guy Clermont
President
Guy Clermont Plumbing and Heating Inc.

Publication date: 5/20/2013

WebSentry® Mobile 

Company: Seresco Technologies

Platform(s): iOS and Android devices

Release date: January 2013

Cost: Free

Available for download: http://serescodehumidifiers.com/websentry.php

Description: It connects seamlessly to the WebSentry system, a Web browser-based software/hardware application that’s onboard all Seresco commercial dehumidifiers and allows 24/7 real-time data transmission and extranet access. WebSentry sends more than 100 operating parameters every minute from any dehumidifier’s onboard CommandCenter™ microprocessor controller to Seresco’s factory-based server center for daily remote viewing, tracking, and adjusting by factory technicians. The server center also records and stores the data for performance trending. In the event of a dehumidifier performance or operational problem, the WebSentry system automatically sends an alarm to factory technicians for correction. If a parameter change is needed, a quasi virtual private network (VPN) connection can be established for online fine tuning by either authorized factory technicians, the facility manager, or the local HVAC service contractor.

User/Developer quote: “WebSentry Mobile is an HVAC industry smartphone Web app that allows facility managers and service contractors remote monitoring and programming functions for Seresco commercial indoor-pool dehumidifiers.”

Ralph Kittler
Vice president
Seresco USA

Publication date: 5/20/2013

White-Rodgers’ WRMobile

Company: Emerson Climate Technologies

Platform(s): iOS, Android, and Blackberry devices

Release date: September 2012 (Version 2.0)

Cost: Free

Available for download: Apple iTunes Store, Google Play, and www.emersonclimate.com/mobileapps

Description: The White-Rodgers™ mobile app helps HVACR contractors and distributors find the right product for the job and provides supporting information when and where it is needed. If you have a competitor or White-Rodgers part number, simply enter it and see the results of its powerful cross-reference tool. If you are not sure what you need, use the new feature-based product selection tool to guide you to the right product for the job. Once you find the product you need, WRMobile provides smartphone users with access to installation and operating instructions, wiring diagrams, sell sheets, and tech bulletins for thermostats, gas valves, furnace ignition controls, and cooling products.

User/Developer quote: Need answers now? Get WRMobile. The White-Rodgers mobile app is one of several free mobile apps in the Emerson Climate Technologies Mobile Toolbox and can be downloaded at www.emerson
climate.com/mobileapps.

Publication date: 5/20/2013

Forane® PT Calculator App

Company: Arkema Inc.

Platform(s): iOS and Android devices

Release date: January 2013

Cost: Free

Available for download: Apple iTunes Store and Google Play

Description: Arkema Inc. has developed a new Forane PT Chart and PT Calculator app for iPhone and Android devices. The app includes basic refrigerant property data, traditional PT charts, and on-the-fly pressure-temperature and superheat/subcooling calculations. Multiple unit systems/elevations will also allow for broader global usage.

User/Developer quote: “Arkema is committed to helping HVACR professionals provide quality service. Our Forane® App is offered in a familiar and easy-to-use format that will help more service technicians embrace the newest technologies our industry has to offer.”

Stephen V. Spletzer
Senior technical sales engineer
Forane Refrigerants

Publication date: 5/20/2013