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.

HVAC Buddy Load Calc

Company: Powertrade Services LLC

Platform(s): Apple and Android mobile devices

Updated: August 2013

Cost: $39.99

Available for download: iTunes, Google Play, and http://bit.ly/HVACBuddyApp

Description: Improve accuracy when sizing equipment, demonstrate professionalism on the job, and add substance to your proposals with the HVAC Buddy Load Calc app. The user can enter all the construction characteristics relating to heat gains and losses for the purposes of calculating the total building loads for heating and cooling. This app simplifies the process of collecting and recording information for presentation in a meaningful context.

Quote: “Awesome app. I have used many load calc programs through the years, and this is tops. Easy to use, once you learn the program. Great job!” — Google Play review

FieldAware Mobile

Company: FieldAware

Platform(s): Apple and Android mobile devices

Updated: January 2014

Cost: Free to download

Available for download: iTunes, Google Play, and http://bit.ly/FieldAwareApp

Description: FieldAware’s tablet app takes advantage of the larger displays and processing power of iOS and Android tablets, and upgrades the existing smartphone apps to add new functionality and enhance usability. Work order and asset management, job scheduling, time sheets, quotes, and invoicing can be managed directly by field service workers. Integration with FieldAware Web Apps in the central and back offices streamlines processes and increases productivity.

Quote: “FieldAware’s new app designed specifically for tablets has helped our technicians be even more productive. They can see more information on a single screen and access FieldAware’s total functionality even faster. We love the new app.” — Robert Henrich, president, Henrich Equipment Co. Inc.

Browning Toolbox Technician

Company: Emerson Power Transmission Solutions

Platform(s): Apple and Android mobile devices

Updated: January 2013

Cost: Free

Available for download: iTunes, Google Play, and http://bit.ly/BrowningApp

Description: Mobile asset management for HVAC belt drive components will soon be introduced in Browning’s widely used Toolbox Technician app. The new feature will enable scanning of the 2-D barcode or inputting the number on the Browning belt drive kit label found on most HVAC units equipped with the company’s drive components, providing immediate access to product information. Registered users will be able to save the information to a personal library as a maintenance record; set push notifications for required system maintenance; and add related components, such as bearings, filter, and compressor. The information will also be shareable with, and printable from, computers.

Quote: “Our survey indicates [contractors] are very receptive to the idea of asset tracking and push notifications as a way to stay on top of maintenance and ensure correct parts are available during service calls. We are beta testing the app now and expect release before summer.” — Ian Rubin, director of marketing for Sealmaster, System Plast, and Browning mounted bearings at Emerson Power Transmission Solutions

VenturePro

Company: Mypointnow.com

Platform(s): Apple and Android mobile devices

Updated: February 2014

Cost: Free to download; $59 per month for the first user; $42 per month for subsequent users

Available for download: iTunes, Google Play, and http://bit.ly/VenturePro

Description: VenturePro is whole-business management and field service software. Quote, schedule, bill, manage a customer database, and access full customer history from your mobile device. Mypointnow VenturePro is a QuickBooks partner and is cloud-based, so the user never has to worry about data security. Venture features automated service reminders, appointment notification, and feedback requests. When paired with a Mypointnow Web platform, the results are unmatched, with users receiving an average of 139 leads per month. Venture provides full reporting and timecard systems so there is nothing venture cannot achieve for the modern service professional.

Quote: “The support team of Venture has a vast knowledge of the needs of HVAC contractors. We are very pleased with Venture. We wish we had found out about it sooner!” — Robert Hutchins, manager, Eco-Green Air, Raleigh, N.C.

Marley Mobile

Company: SPX Cooling Technologies Inc.

Platform(s): Apple mobile devices

Released: December 2013

Cost: Free

Available for download: iTunes and http://bit.ly/MarleyMobile

Description: Marley’s many resources are now available anytime, anywhere at the customer’s convenience. The app offers the ability to select an application-appropriate tower, calculate system water usage, contact a Marley sales representative, and more. Features in the mobile app include: Tower Finder, a select list of tower options is generated based on specific user criteria; UPDATE™ Lite, a mobile version of Marley’s sizing and selection tool allows for tower selections to be made on the go; Water Usage, where operating conditions can be entered to quickly calculate a variety of key data including total water usage; Why Marley, which quickly finds product-specific information; Videos, which provide access to the latest Marley videos for education and troubleshooting; and My Marley Rep, which lets the user quickly reach a local Marley sales representative with rapid, one-touch connect.

Quote: “Our goal is to put key tools in the hands of our customers and sales representatives. Whether they are at the office or in the field, our MarleyMobile app will give them access to Marley’s many valuable resources.” — Doug Bougher, director, HVAC and refrigeration sales, SPX Cooling Technologies Inc.

MobileHMI

Company: Iconics

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

Updated: September 2013

Cost: Free

Available for download: iTunes, Google Play, and http://bit.ly/MobileHMI

Description: With MobileHMI, operators around the globe are just a few taps away from controlling their facilities remotely and in real time using their smartphones and tablets. The app is a full building automation client on any platform or smart device so that real-time access to critical data is available to executives, engineers, maintenance technicians, and operators anytime, anywhere. With MobileHMI, tablets and phones now include a fully featured mobile client designed for operations on the go.

Quote: “The new MobileHMI product is a technology marvel. Creating rich, real-time universal visualization for smartphones, tablets, Web browsers, or Web-enabled HDTVs is effortless. Simply download the MobileHMI app from the Windows store, Apple, or Google app stores, and you’re ready to get going.” — Russ Agrusa, president and CEO, Iconics

Publication date: 2/24/2014 

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