CHICAGO — Finding ways to create smarter products, while at the same time increasing the ways in which those products can be used, emerged as a key theme in the testing and monitoring sector at the 2015 AHR Expo. Manufacturers are utilizing Wi-Fi capabilities, mobile devices, and multipurpose devices to move testing and monitoring forward in the ever-changing HVAC industry landscape.
“We are building in options and multiple uses for the same instrument,” said Peter Harper, vice president, strategic marketing and brand development, General Tools & Instruments. “Trying to have a tool that has multiple uses and more built-in features is the biggest trend we are seeing. All-in-one is becoming a big thing in testing and monitoring. Also, miniaturizing is becoming popular. Tools are simply getting smaller and less expensive.”