North Building Technologies

ObSys is updated on a regular basis and contains the latest interface, software and documentation for the range of North Building Technologies products including ObSys, Commander, Compass and Zip.

The current release of ObSys 2.0 is February 2010.

The update is available free to engineers who have previously completed a North training course. To obtain your update CD please contact support.

Stay Informed

• Read more about ObSys 2.0.
• View the interface list for the most up-to-date list of interfaces available for the ObSys, Compass and Commander product ranges.
• Visit our news section regularly for the latest information from North.

ObSys 2.0 Release Notes

• February 2010
• August 2009
• March 2009
• December 2008
• September 2008

February 2010

This latest release of ObSys 2.0 includes many new interfaces, and several enhancements:

BACnet/IP – The BACnetIP v2.0 interface, available for ObSys and Integrator, builds on our extensive knowledge of the BACnet Standard. This new version provides both client and server functionality, refer to the Engineering Guide for full details and PIC statement.

Vaisala Weather Station – The new VaisalaWXT interface connects to the Vaisala WXT520/510 weather station.

Modbus TCP/IP – The new ModbusTCP interface builds on our existing Modbus/JBus interface, providing a solution for Modbus device connected to a TCP/IP network.

Lutron Home Works – The new LutronHW interface is compatible with the Lutron Home Works system, controlling a range of lights and louvres.

Minerva Fire Detection – The new Minerva80 interface is compatible with the Minerva 16 and 80 fire alarm panels available from Tyco, ADT Security, Thorn and Wormald.

Clivet/Isovel – The new Isovel interface is compatible with legacy Isovel/Clivet UK air conditioning systems.

Echelon LonWorks – The updated LonSLTA interface provides support for the latest LonMark Standard Network Variable Types (SNVT). The latest ObSys release also includes support for many LonMark Certified products.

Honeywell MAX-1000 CCTV – The updated Ultrak v1.1 interface adds support for monitor, camera and macro commands.

Data Manager – Updated to support 4000 data channels, this update also includes speed enhancements and minor bug fixes.

WebView – The latest WebView web server includes: support for the new Data manager, enhanced printing CSS, and minor bug fixes.

Transfers in Commander – This update also includes sample ObVerse code to enable Compass-style transfers in Commander.

In addition, this release also includes several minor enhancements to the Protec fire, InnerRange and Simmtronic modules.

August 2009

The August release of ObSys 2.0 included three new interfaces, and several enhancements:

North Integrator – Integrator, our building services controller, is now available with several enhancements. Externally the hardware is smaller and features improved connectivity with four RS232 serial and two Ethernet ports. Inside, Integrator includes the latest ObServer (part of ObSys 2.0), no moving parts, industrial grade storage, watchdog protection and Windows Embedded.

Simmtronic lighting – The new Simmtronic v1.0 interface connects to the Simmtronic SPECS 3 lighting control system.

Davis Weather Station – The new DavisWeather v1.0 interface connects to the Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 weather station.

Opus Audio System – The new Opus v1.0 interface connects to the Opus Audio Technologies system and provides control of the audio zones including input source, volume, tone, etc.

Galaxy Dimension – The updated Galaxy v1.2 interface has been released, and includes support of the Galaxy Dimension intruder panel.

Kentec Fire – The updated Kentec v1.1 interface has been released and includes support for our standard fire system object references.

In addition, this release also includes several minor enhancements to CalTimer, InnerRange, ObServer, ObView, PUP, TrendZn, WebView XML server and ZitonZP modules.

March 2009

The March release of ObSys 2.0 included two new interfaces, and several enhancements:

Philips LightMaster – The new PhilipsLM v1.0 interface connects to the Philips LightMaster lighting control system.

Crestron – The new Crestron interface provides data from North's extensible object model to the Crestron home automation control system. more...

WebView v1.2 – This release of WebView includes faster log drawing, an option to disable the object list, faster sign-in, and support for linking to user object pages. This release also includes third-party application integration using XML and SOAP.

Notifier v1.1 – This updated version of the Notifier fire detection interface includes several enhancements, including new device object formats, isolation support, improved ID1000 support, and alarm configuration options.

ObView – Several enhancements are included with the latest ObView. These include restructured menu options, updated dialogue windows, back mouse button and refresh key support.

In addition, this release also includes several minor enhancements to ObServer, CalTimer, ObSearch, Alarm Manager, XOM/IP-Bus, TokenMax and UserData; we recommend users update to this latest version.

December 2008

The December release of ObSys 2.0 included several reliability and usability enhancements:

Data Manager v1.1 – The new release of Data Manager now has full object access support. This provides compatibility with ObSave, ObLoad and WebView.

WebView v1.2 – This release includes improved log drawing, compatibility with Data Manager, and improved error pages. A problem when synchronising with the Alarm Store module has also been fixed. Improvements have also been made to allow browsers to load pages faster.

WebView Editor Library – this release also includes a library of templates, graphics and user objects for WebView.

Alarm Store v1.2 – This release includes new objects for identifying when alarms and new alarms are present in the store.

Improved Windows Vista support – ObSys has earned the "Works with Windows Vista™" logo. Applications and data are now installed in different locations, following Vista application guidelines for UAC. All ObSys applications have been updated. Setup will automatically update existing installations.

Documentation – improved keyword content for the North Helper index.

In addition, this release also includes several minor fixes; we recommend users update to this latest version.

September 2008

ObSys 2.0 is now released and available to existing engineers attending our half-day upgrade course, and on all new training courses.

New interfaces released with ObSys 2.0 include:

EnOcean - EnOcean's energy harvesting technology is now compatible with North's extensible object model. The EnOcean range of battery-free wireless modules includes sensors, light switches, PIR detectors, relay modules, door contacts, etc. more...

Kentec Fire - The new Kentec interface links to a network of Kentec Syncro fire detection panels.

Janus - links to the Grosvenor Technology JANUS 4.0 access control system.

Safegard - The new Safegard interface allows the monitoring of smoke dampers control systems provided by Safegard, ActionAir, Ruskin, Flamgard and Gebhardt.

Pelco Endura - Compatible with the Pelco Endura IP video security system, including the XPortal multi-connection interface.

Inner Range - Compatible with the Inner Range Concept 4000 platform of security and access control modules.

ExerTherm - Connecting to the ExerTherm non-contact thermal monitoring sensors. This new interface enables predictive maintenance of key components within switchgear panels.

Red-Eye Remote - This new interface connects to the Red-Eye serial and can control digital cable and satellite set-top boxes.

Topline - Compatible with the Topline TEC 2000 swimming pool chemical dosing system.

SkiData - connects to the APT SkiData parking logic system and provides monitoring and some control of pay machines, barriers, readers, etc.

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