North Building Technologies

ObSys 2.0 is the latest version of ObSys from North. ObSys 2.0 is now even easier to engineer, with the majority of the functionality you use pre-loaded. The first time you run the new ObSys 2.0 you will notice that it now comes with advanced alarm handling, data logging, a web server, BACnet compatibility, and powerful control strategy tools all built in and in many cases pre-configured.

The core functionality is now built into ObServer, while additional applications such as data manager and ObView comprise the entire ObSys 2.0 suite.

All the engineer now needs to do is select the 3rd party interfaces they wish to load in and press "scan". ObSys 2.0 then automatically goes and learns what controllers and which points are available from the attached system and makes all of the data points available to you, those points can then be copied and pasted onto WebPages, added into data loggers, shared as BACnet values or included in strategy to mention just a few. Simple!

Core features now built into ObServer

WebView

Web enable your buildings using WebView. WebView is the graphical user interface provided as part of ObSys 2.0 that gives engineers a simple drag and drop WYSIWYG editor to generate data-rich web content.

Web pages can include data logs, alarm handling, animated mimic pages, advanced calendar functions and setpoint / value adjustment.

The web content generated by WebView does not rely on ActiveX or Java applets that may conflict with your company security policy, or are unsupported by your browser (many of our competitors use Java based applications that display a streaming virtual desktop, which can dramatically increase download times and has a negative effect on usability.

WebView manages to offer the same rich feature set, yet automatically generates valid xHTML content conforming to World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards. This not only provides broadly accessible content for users with disabilities, but also makes the content available to the broadest range of web clients. From desktop based Internet Explorer/Firefox/Opera/Safari to the embedded browsers found in PDA's and mobile phones and speech-based browsers.

Safe and sound

Secure access is provided via full integration with enterprise authentication using your existing LDAP server (such as Active Directory), providing a single sign-on for users across the organisation. WebView also supports North's XOM security server, providing a single point of authentication (and management) for all XOM compatible components.

From a user's group membership in either Active Directory or the North XOM security server, the engineer can limit access to pages based on the users need. For example, the security guard may only have access to the intruder system, fire alarms and door access, while a building services engineer would only be able to see the heating, ventilation and energy monitoring systems.

Unrivalled connectivity

Obsys 2.0 is able to communicate with a huge library of interfaces that allow it to collect data directly from third party products, such as:

• Package air conditioning from Sanyo, Hitachi and Daikin;
• Package chillers from Trane, McQuay, Carrier and York;
• Variable speed drives from ABB and Danfoss;
• Almost all addressable fire panels;
• Many security systems;
• And third party HVAC controllers including Trend, Siemens, Cylon and Honeywell.

All drivers are supplied with ObSys 2.0, see the "expansion modules" section below and also check out our latest interface list for more information.

Engineer remotely

WebView Editor (the WebView engineering tool) allows the engineer to manage files on the WebView server and to create new pages, assign points and graphics in a very simple to use environment. The engineer can create re-usable objects such a fan coil graphic, for example, to avoid costly and time consuming repetition.

The editor also comes with an extensive library of graphics ready for you to use including: fire heads; valves and pumps; security objects such as PIR's and flashing borders; AHU schematics; and all of the usual HVAC objects. Of course pages can be engineered remotely over the internet.

User Data

User data is a 960 point database that allows data from connected devices to be logged, transferred to other connected systems, viewed on a Zip display module, be checked against pre-defined alarm limits and/or shared as BACnet/IP values. The 960 point limit only applies to the above functions and has no limitation on data for web pages, alarm handling or strategy processing. Equally alarms generated by third party systems are not limited by this 960 point database. It is simply an extra layer of functionality.

Alarm Router

The alarm routing functions built into ObSys 2.0 allow engineers to direct alarms to the most appropriate destination. Destinations can include, other instances of ObSys 2.0, email recipients, text message alerting, and ObSys 2.0 alarm handlers.

When an alarm arrives in the alarm router it can be tested against several parameters before forwarding. Parameters include:

• Is the desination route enabled? - this can be controlled by a calendar function, so that certain detinations such as an on call engineer can be enabled or disabled based on a calendar profile
• The priority of the alarm - you can set all high priority alarms to be sent to a duty engineer by email for example.
• Text contained in the alarm - you can set the alarm router to search for text within an alarm message, for example, all alarms containing the word "Security" are sent to the gate house.

You can of course set up catch-all alarm stores, archives and audit trails plus many other other alarm handling features.

Alarm Emailer

Alarm emailer is an alarm destination that connects to a standard SMTP server. It allows an alarm to emailed to several recipients at once, with options to include attachments relevant to the alarm message. Alarms can be sent in rich HTML format or in plain text. If required, extra alarm emailers can be added using the expansion modules in ObSys 2.0.

Alarm Stores

There are four alarm stores provided as part of ObSys 2.0. Each alarm store can hold 4000 alarms. An alarm router can be used to filter different alarms into different stores, so you might have one store for HVAC alarms, another for fire alarms, one for security alarms and one for energy or power alarms. If required, additional alarm stores can be added using the expansion modules in ObSys 2.0.

Alarm Translator

Some third party systems send alarms in a less than user friendly way. It's good knowing that Controller 3, Analogue input 2, has a high alarm, but only if you know what Controller 3, input 2 actually are. Alarm Translator gives engineers the ability to "translate" alarms. For example, alarm translator could be configured to translate: "Controller 3 Analogue input 2" to "Ground floor reception temperature", and therefore make the alarm far more useful to a much wider audience.

Equally the alarm translator function may be used to translate alarms between spoken languages for international alarm handling centres.

Alarms may also be re-prioritised.The Priority function compares the system, device, and condition fields of each alarm, if a match is found it re-sets the priority of the alarm to the engineer defined new priority - and sends it on to its destination object. If no match is found, the priority is left unchanged.

Powerful Calendar and timer program

Calendars and timers are controlled via a simple to use web interface, you can control up to twenty timers. The calendar function allows for easy setting of exception days, many years in advance.

Each timer has up to five on off time periods. The on-off signal can be transmitted to any device on the network, including third party devices attached to remote ObSys 2.0s, Compass Points or Commanders.

ObSys 2.0 Extensions

Expansion slots

ObSys 2.0 is supplied with all of the interface drivers and optional modules that can be "plugged-in" to the original ObSys. There is a huge library of other drivers and expansion modules available. These can be loaded into ObSys 2.0 on ObSys 2.0s expansion channels. ObSys 2.0 (depending on which licence you buy) has up to forty expansion channels available. A channel could be used to run a LON or Modbus driver, maybe a link to a third party proprietary protocol or perhaps some advanced alarm handling or data logging features.

Expansion Applications

The ObSys 2.0 suite includes some applications that allow the user a friendlier or more powerful interface to certain functions. These are often functions that are limited by the constraints of a web browser. Our applications overcome these limitations and give the frequent user a more connected experience.

Data manager

The Data Manager Application is used to collect, record and manage historical data values. Data Manager can be configured with up to 1000 data channels, each recording a single object’s value. Key Features:

• Ease of Engineering – data channels may be configured from the Data Manager window. From ObView, a data channel may be added or viewed with ‘one-click’.
• Compatibility – Data Manager builds on the functionality previously available within the LogView application and the LogMax & LogFile modules. Existing data may be imported from these modules, or from any XOM (eXtensible Object Model) compatible device such as Commander, Trend, York, and Cylon controllers, etc.
• AutoTrack – provides powerful statistical analysis of the data collected by Data Manager, constantly monitoring and learning a data channels behaviour. A user can then be alerted when a value is approaching or outside its normal operating behaviour.
• Workstation or Client/Server operation – Data Manager may operate in either a workstation environment where all data collection and display are performed on a single PC, or a client/server environment. In a server configuration Data Manager collects data and makes this available, via an IP network, for display by a client.

Data Manager is part of the North ObSys management suite and is therefore able to collect data from many different manufacturers’ systems including Data acquisition modules, Power meters, BMS controllers, Lighting, and Power management systems such as UPS generators.

Alarm manager

The Alarm Manager application is used to view, silence and manage alarm events. Alarm Manager can be engineered to connect with several alarm databases (AlarmStore OSM's), where alarms are sent to and stored. This allows alarms of different types (Fire, Security, HVAC etc) or priority to have their own tab and sub window for viewing. Key Features Alarm Manager connects to ObServer, and contains several modules that include:

• Connection to local and remote AlarmStores – currently up to four
• Alarm annunciation – play WAV files by alarm priority, restore window if minimised
• ObSys Alarm Database interface – trigger files associated with an alarm
• ObSys Security interface – security levels configurable per list and priority
• Send To – forward selected alarms to other destinations.

Additionally, each Alarm Store contains:

• Storage of alarms – in a list of up to 4096 alarms
• Archiving of deleted alarms – deleted alarms exported to a comma separated value (csv) file
• Monitoring from several Alarm Managers.

From the window you can sort the alarms in each AlarmStore, snooze an alarm, silence an alarm, delete an alarm, and view associated information for each alarm.

Compatibility

ObSys 2.0 has been tested to meet all of the technical requirements to be Compatible with Windows® 7. For more information refer to the system requirements for ObSys page.

Further information

For more information about ObSys 2.0 please contact sales@northbt.com or call James Palmer on 01273 694422.

Visit the North e-Library for more information and technical documentation on ObSys 2.0.

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