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 complete our online submission form. If you have any questions, please email jenanesi@achrnews.com.

CloudConnect™

Company: NetworkThermostat

Platform(s): Remote Cloud Service

Updated/Released: July 2014

Cost: $9.95 per thermostat, per year

Where to download: http://bit.ly/CloudConnectApp

Description: Net/X™ Network Thermostats has the ability to connect to thermostats using the Net/X DirectConnect™ method or with Net/X CloudConnect™. The CloudConnect service eliminates dealing with firewalls, static IP addresses, access rules, port forwarding, and a host of other IT-related items. With CloudConnect, it’s as simple as 1, 2, 3 — add the Net/X™ thermostat on your local area network, register a secure user email and password, and log in from the secure server at http://bit.ly/CloudConnectApp. CloudConnect has the power to show all thermostats on an account — from one thermostat to thousands — with flexible grouping by area, floor, location, region, or any other desired grouping metric. Use CloudConnect for updating schedules and vacations, setting overrides, managing alerts, controlling humidity levels, and all other thermostat features.

Quote: “Our no-compromise approach to connectivity makes it easier than ever for Net/X users to remotely access their HVAC controls.” — Jerry Drew, president, NetworkThermostat.

Coolfront

Company: Profit Strategies

Platform(s): Apple, Android, Windows, and BlackBerry mobile devices

Updated: Weekly

Cost: $1.29 per work order, recuperated when the user collects for service.

Where to download: http://bit.ly/CoolfrontMobileApp

Description: Coolfront is a cloud-based flat rate pricing mobile app designed to help the busy contractor improve service calls. With the app, the user can easily create and manage invoices and work orders, set flat rate prices, search the extensive repair database, integrate with QuickBooks, and stay connected to the office, right from a mobile device.

Quote: “Coolfront is a cloud-based application that provides service-call dispatch, invoicing, flat rate pricing, and Quickbooks integration, all for zero cost [to the contractor]. It can be used on any smart device and requires no investment in software and servers. Coolfront truly is one of a kind.” — Jim D’Amico, president and CEO, Profit Strategies

Titan Flex^®

Company: Packard Inc.

Platform(s): Apple, Android, and Windows mobile devices

Updated/Released: July 2014

Cost: Free

Where to download: iTunes, Google Play, Windows Store, and http://bit.ly/TitanFlexApp

Description: The Titan Flex app replaces confusing poster-sized wiring diagrams. As an all-in-one solution, Titan Flex® creates an efficient work environment for service technicians. Plus, its proprietary six-individual coil design provides integrity for each rating, allowing for flexible usage. Now available in Titan Flex or Titan Flex XL and, coming soon, the Titan Flex SM. Three models, covering 300 ratings, address just about all of a user’s HVACR capacitor needs. The complete Titan Flex line comes with a three-year warranty, granting a user peace of mind when and where he or she needs it.

Quote: “Very easy to use and user-friendly.” — iTunes review

Doc Center

Company: System Sensor

Platform(s): Apple mobile devices

Updated: July 2014

Cost: Free

Where to download: iTunes and http://bit.ly/SystemSensorDocCenter

Description: System Sensor InfoPoint allows a user to fetch and view documents related to System Sensor’s broad product range, including brochures, case studies, data sheets, FAQs, installation manuals, and more. The Doc Center app automatically updates to ensure users always have the most up-to-date product and technical information. The app downloads all files to the user’s device locally and is also fully searchable, making it quick and easy to find what you need, when you need it.

Quote: “After completing customer research, we developed the System Sensor Doc Center App to provide easy access to all System Sensor literature from anywhere. Users can view brochures, case studies, data sheets, FAQs, installation manuals, and more, directly from their mobile devices. It’s currently available for the iPad® and iPhone® and we should have an Android version available by the end of the year.” — Larry Newberry, app developer

Sensi

Company: White-Rodgers

Platform(s): Apple and Android mobile devices

Updated: Sept. 2014

Cost: Free to download

Where to download: iTunes, Google Play, and http://bit.ly/SensiTStatApp

Description: Installing and connecting the Sensi thermostat is simple. With no C wire, the Sensi thermostat is quick and easy to install. Connecting the thermostat to a home Wi-Fi system is also easy with the step-by-step guide provided in the Sensi thermostat mobile app. Contractor branding is available directly in the Sensi app. Registered contractors enter their phone number during the installation process and the homeowner is one touch away from calling them the next time they need service. Using the Sensi thermostat is also simple. The mobile app helps the homeowner store up to nine different schedules and manage multiple thermostats on the same app — even at a second home.

Quote: “We believe homeowners and contractors will appreciate the simple approach we took to create the thermostat on the wall and will really be impressed with the results we achieved in the design of the installation and control app. While designed with the end consumer in mind, we did not forget that contractors are vital to the success of any thermostat product.” — Geoff Godwin, vice president of marketing, White-Rodgers

Copeland™ Mobile

Company: Emerson Climate Technologies Inc.

Platform(s): Apple, Android, and BlackBerry mobile devices

Updated/Released: July 2014

Cost: Free

Where to download: iTunes, Google Play, BlackBerry World, and http://bit.ly/CopelandMobileApp

Description: The Copeland Mobile smartphone app provides on-the-go access to Emerson Climate Technologies’ Online Product Information (OPI) database for Copeland compressor specifications. This database includes air conditioning and refrigeration products used in a variety of HVACR applications. Once a model and application are selected, choose from a variety of options within the home menu screen to search for information pertaining to that specific model. This app’s focus is to bring access of the OPI database directly to the HVACR service industry. The Copeland Mobile app includes, WebApp instant updates via the OPI database; auto-fill model recommendations; full parts, accessories, and bill of materials listings; complete air conditioning and refrigeration compressor model information; electrical wiring diagrams; compressor diagnostics; replacement model cross reference; metric and imperial units conversion; links to other mobile apps; and a live chat function.

Quote: “Our OPI database has been a valued resource for HVACR professionals for several years. We are now able to offer this information in a mobile app that will provide easy access to more than 30 years of Copeland compressor product information. We didn’t just turn the database into an app — we created a new way to access Copeland compressor product information, including features such as auto-fill model recommendations and a live chat help function that will make the OPI database even more convenient and useful to customers.” — Scott Lanzer, marketing manager of digital services, air conditioning business, Emerson Climate Technologies Inc.

Publication date: 9/29/2014

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