Major Expansion Project Includes Continuum® Alarm Monitoring, Access Control, and Environmental System Controls to Protect Museum’s Premier Art Collection

Andover, Mass. — The Denver Art Museum has selected an TAC integrated Continuum® facility management system to provide alarm monitoring, access control, and environmental systems control at their Denver, Colorado museum complex. The Continuum® system, installed by local TAC Partner, Westover Controls of Denver, will also provide Denver Art Museum more efficient security management and reduced energy costs.

Founded in 1893, the Denver Art Museum has the largest and most comprehensive collection of world art between Kansas City and the West Coast, with over 55,000 works of art. In the next three years, the Museum will nearly double in size and boast one of the country’s most unique structures. Construction on the Frederic C. Hamilton Building, an extraordinary addition designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, who is also designing the new World Trade Center site in New York City, began in July 2003 and will be completed in 2006.

After an extensive yearlong evaluation, Denver Museum management selected the TAC system as the best match for their high security and environmental standards. Along with door access control, Continuum will control and monitor hundreds of alarms from security devices. In addition, the system will maintain round-the-clock stringent temperature and humidity requirements mandated by the many fine art collections on loan to the Museum. Continuum will send alarms to the Museum’s security staff if temperature and humidity varies from established parameters. Logging, trending, and graphing are automated and stored in the Continuum system, which allows the Museum to verify to lending institutions that their art was displayed under a properly controlled environment.

TAC Receives UL 864 Certification for New Facility Management Product Line

Infinet II Controllers Approved by Underwriters Laboratories for Smoke Control Applications

Andover, Mass. — TAC, a leading manufacturer of “Smart Building” facility management systems, announced today that their new Infinet II™ product line has been certified to the smoke control standard, UL 864, UUKL. Having undergone a rigorous Underwriters Laboratories approval process, 
TAC’s Infinet II controllers can now be used in smoke pressurization and purging applications. The Infinet II product family joins TAC’s previous generation product lines, Continuum® and Infinity, in receiving this important UL smoke control certification.

TAC’s Infinet II smoke control-approved controllers offer a broad range of HVAC control components, including the i2920 System Controller, designed for air-handling units and other large equipment; the i2865, a terminal controller designed for the full range of VAV applications; and the i2867, a low-cost, general purpose controller, perfect for fan coil and heat pump applications.

According to Don Lemenager, TAC’s Senior Product Manager, smoke control is an essential component in today’s facility management systems. “In the event of a building fire,” says Lemenager, “a smoke control system will maintain established evacuation routes and contain smoke within the fire area, protecting lives and property. TAC’s smoke control solution provides peace-of-mind for any building owner.”

To learn more about the requirements for designing a UL-approved smoke control system, TAC has prepared a comprehensive manual entitled Smoke Control System Design Guide (P/N: 30-301-734). Contact a local TAC Automation Partner for more information.

New Web-based Controller includes 2-Door Access Control and IP Communications for Affordable Integrated Control at Small Sites

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation, a leading manufacturer of smart building solutions, today announced the Continuum® SiteController, model CX 9702. The SiteController is a cost-effective, stand-alone monitoring and control solution used to protect and secure small buildings and remote, unmanned facilities. The SiteController is based on TAC’s flagship CX family of network controllers, and includes features that integrate power and environmental monitoring, HVAC control, access control, security, and other building functions.

The SiteController is designed as a low-cost controller for customers who manage many small or remote facilities, such as retail stores, branch offices, multi-tenant buildings, or small telecommunications shelters. The controller hosts eight inputs, two door readers, and four outputs, and includes many advanced features previously only available in the higher-priced CX product line. Up to four Infinet field controllers may be added for additional expansion. On-board power for automatic door locks, readers, and peripherals means simpler installations, less space required for mounting, and lower overall project costs. The software in the SiteController supports IP communications, a built-in web server, and SNMP management. This provides the flexibility for authorized users to display site information from anywhere in the world using a standard web browser or third-party network management software.

“The SiteController is the perfect way to get started with TAC, or extend the value of a current installation,” said Rainer Wischinski, Vice President of Marketing at TAC. “The I/O configuration and unique power features of this new controller will help businesses reduce outside plant and remote office costs through high-value monitoring and control.”

The CX 9702 SiteController is available to order today.

Federal Communications Commission Working Group Endorses Facility Monitoring Best Practices for Homeland Security

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation, a leading manufacturer of smart building solutions, today announced publication of a special report on the Network Reliability and Interoperability Council (NRIC), a Telecom working group formed by the FCC. The report details how the NRIC’s latest recommendations for physical security at Telecom facilities can be achieved using TAC’s flagship product, Continuum®. Issued as an addendum to the TAC white paper “Integrated Network and Facility Monitoring Systems for Telecommunications"

The NRIC is a select committee of 35 leading private industry companies that oversee U.S. national communications reliability, security, and interoperability. As an advising body, it issues recommendations to industry on best practices Service Providers and Network Operators should implement for increased Homeland Security and to guard against terrorist attacks. The report released today describes how Service Providers and Network Operators can comply with current and specific NRIC recommendations published March 14, 2003. These include:

• Alarming and continuous monitoring of all means of facility access
• Alarming and continuous monitoring of outside plant temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions which may fall outside operating parameters
• Single-card and single-architecture access control to mitigate security risks
• Using technology that integrates access control, digital video recording, intrusion detection, life safety systems, personnel records, and audit trails.

“The best practice recommendations from this independent panel are essentially a perfect fit for Continuum," says Rainer Wischinski, Vice President of Marketing at TAC. “This white paper directly addresses how Service Providers and Network Operators can increase their network security, and save on operating expenses at the same time.”

TAC Announces New Line of Native BACnet Controllers

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation announces a new product line of native BACnet controllers and front-end workstation software. The Company’s Continuum® BACnet Family will be available for ordering this May.

BACnet is a data communication protocol and an ISO worldwide standard for Building Automation and Control networks developed under the auspices of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air –Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). 

Designed in strict accordance with ASHRAE standard 135-2001, TAC’s native BACnet products can interoperate with other BACnet devices without the need for gateways. No special protocol converters are needed, saving users valuable system configuration time and ongoing maintenance costs.

Schools, universities, governments, and other organizations have chosen BACnet to be their standard communications protocol primarily for temperature control and DDC systems. TAC takes BACnet a step further by incorporating the protocol seamlessly with their Continuum® integrated building solution. Building managers can now incorporate all their building subsystems under a single, BACnet-compliant facility management system.

TAC is the first manufacturer to combine BACnet temperature control with security/card access, badging, power and lighting, even digital video, as well as other vendors’ BACnet and proprietary devices. Plus, with TAC’s dedicated BACnet front-end workstation, users have true single-seat control of their entire facility while managing multiple systems and vendors; or get instant web access to their building system from anywhere with TAC’s BACnet web browser package, web.Client™.

TAC Offers Free White Paper on Smart Facility Automation Solutions for Regulated Industries

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation, a leading manufacturer of smart building solutions, today announced publication of a free white paper, “Smart Facility Automation Solutions for Regulatory Compliance." The paper outlines how a Total Environment Management (TEM) solution delivered by an Integrated Facility Automation System can both dramatically improve your business and facilitate 21 CFR regulatory compliance. 

In place since 1997, 21 CFR Part 11 was developed by the FDA to promote and regulate the use of electronic signatures, record keeping, and reporting practices for the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, Medical Devices, and other FDA-regulated industries. The white paper examines how integrated facility automation systems play a critical role today in attaining and maintaining regulatory compliance.

TAC has taken a leadership role in an effort to help FDA-regulated businesses comply with this code. Through the use of detailed audit trails and enforced operator responses, TAC’s CFR Compliance Pack™ ensures that not only are process-related environmental conditions monitored and recorded, but also that all card access events and security alarms are captured within a common 21 CFR Part 11 validatable architecture.

“We are seeing a marked increase in awareness of not only the obligation to comply but also the real, tangible business benefits of compliance,” says Clive Smith, Industry Marketing Manager, TAC. “TAC is the first in the industry to offer a common 21 CFR Part 11 compliance-ready platform able to fulfill both environmental control and security management requirements. This approach increases customer efficiency through improved user familiarity and the development of consistent Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), design methodologies, and operator training programs.”

The Company will showcase CFR Compliance Pack at Interphex, March 31-April 2 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, Booth #1431.

TAC Adds SNMP to Continuum^®

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation, a leading manufacturer of smart building solutions, today announced that industry-standard SNMP management is now available in its flagship Facility Management System, Continuum®. SNMP is a protocol widely used by network managers to monitor and troubleshoot problems on computer networks. 

TAC provides control and monitoring solutions for power, HVAC, access control, security, surveillance, and other building elements. Using SNMP, element alarm conditions can be directed to both facility management personnel and network operators so the two groups may coordinate an appropriate response to the incident. The enhancement also makes it easy for end-users to integrate with popular network management systems, such as Aprisma Spectrum™ or HP OpenView. This allows network managers to better ensure the reliability, uptime, and performance of both public and private IP networks and infrastructures. 

“By adding SNMP to our flagship controllers, we give network operators visibility beyond the network elements and into the environment of the data center or central office,” said Rainer Wischinski, vice president of Marketing at TAC. “This new functionality is especially valuable to our customers with large and complex networks.”

Competing solutions often implement SNMP management through a special PC or software on the network, requiring extra hardware and network traffic. Implementing SNMP in the Continuum controller itself allows alarms to be sent directly to necessary personnel without these additional costs and communications. For more information on the subject, download the Telecom White Paper.

TAC Offers Integrated Network and Facility Monitoring White Paper for the Telecom Industry

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation, a leading manufacturer of smart building solutions, today announced publication of a free white paper, “Integrated Network and Facility Monitoring Systems for Telecommunications." The paper outlines the business case for Telecom facility automation and remote monitoring, which result in lower operations and maintenance costs.

As Telecom companies make efforts to return to profitable operations, it becomes critical to do everything possible to control costs, improve network quality, and position the business for new subscriber revenue. Implementing best practices in network management and facility operations leads to greater efficiencies in utilizing staff through optimal organizational structure. The white paper examines how network operations and facility management personnel can combine their unique skills to generate compelling cost savings in both of these areas. It is based on TAC’ real-world experience working with major Telecom providers who have put integrated control and monitoring into practice using the Company's Continuum® Facility Management System. 

“Telecom Operations Management will find this White Paper especially useful," says Rainer Wischinski, Vice President of Marketing at TAC. "Readers will receive valuable information on why and where remote monitoring makes the most sense, how to implement it properly, and how to apply advanced techniques to maximize their investment in automation."

TAC Announces web.Client™

Andover, Mass.— TAC Corporation, a leading manufacturer of smart building solutions for HVAC, security management, and digital video surveillance applications, introduces web.Client™. The Company’s new web-based interface provides 24/7 access to TAC’s Continuum® Facility Management System.

With web.Client, authorized personnel can access their Continuum® system in real-time across their facility's local or wide area network using a standard web browser. No need to purchase dedicated workstations — the front receptionist, a department head, a security guard, or the Human Resource Manager can access web.Client via the corporate network and the PC right on their desk. 

Users can adjust comfort levels, edit personnel records and change employee access privileges, view graphics, and receive alarms — all in a web environment.

web.Client saves time be delegating the day-to-day HVAC, access control, and lighting to the individuals within the organization who have a vested interest in managing their own areas. The result? Tighter control on the departmental level and less administration for the central facilities staff. And web.Client is password-protected, so individual departments have only limited access to the central database.

web.Client is available in two versions: web.Client Personnel Manager provides a focused set to tools for managing personnel records and viewing access reports. web.Client Pro is an expanded package that allows users to integrate all building systems — HVAC, lighting, card access, digital CCTV, etc. — into a single browser application.