J2 Innovations has partnered with global controls specialist, Coster Group to embed FIN Framework (FIN) into a new generation of plant and building control solutions.  Coster Group’s “WebGarage” will be the first system by the manufacturer to use FIN open framework – an easy-to-configure and use software platform for building automation and IoT applications – which will be embedded into its web-enabled YHC700 IP controller platform.

“Coster Group is one of the world’s foremost HVAC and building control specialists that is renowned for its simple-to-install configurable systems. The company has developed installations ranging from simple controllers for small thermal power solutions to highly-complex integrated “made-to-measure” automation systems,” said Chris Irwin, VP sales EMEA J2 Innovations.  “In 2019, Coster started the search for a software platform that would form the basis of a new-generation of control systems for the next decade.”

On the selection criteria, Irwin said: “This new wave of systems needed to be open, scalable, lower cost and faster-to-develop.  After consultations, FIN Framework quickly emerged as the standout solution – it was faithful to Coster Group’s ‘simple-to-install and configurable’ ethos while also taking advantage of the latest technology developments such as Haystack 4.0 and IoT devices.”

The Coster Group YHC 700/YLC880 and YHC CWE/YLC880 IP controller platform provides automation, management and supervision of medium-sized control systems for HVAC, water and lighting with support for Modbus RS485 communications to connect meters and other I/O modules [PEC442, PEU002 and the next generation of extension modules].  An optional 3/4G modem module provides remote access to monitor plant status and alarm configurations.

Solving compatibility issues, Irwin said: “With a large-installed customer base it was imperative to offer an upgrade path for earlier-generation controllers still in circulation.  Along with the existing Modbus connector, an additional C-bus protocol and a new connector for FIN was developed between ourselves and Coster’s R&D department, to maintain communications with any legacy systems.

To retain the philosophy of making solutions ‘simple-to-install and configurable’, a team has been formed and trained to customize FIN to Coster Group’s applications and systems.  Configuration wizards and a graphics library were created to match the styling and feel of the existing product range; allowing the manufacturer to maintain visual consistency and simplify deployment.

“Coster Group solutions are used in more than 40,000 civil, office, industrial and commercial buildings, schools and healthcare facilities, sports facilities, business districts and logistical infrastructures” said Andrea Zara, CEO of Coster Group. “The partnership with J2 Innovations enables our customers to integrate their existing control systems into WebGarage, an advanced, comprehensive, natively web-based control and energy management platform. WebGarage provides full compatibility with the CosterCAD tool, which ensures maximum simplicity and efficiency in the configuration of even large control systems. WebGarage will then support the next generation of ZBC programmable controllers, which Coster Group will launch on the market from the beginning of 2021 alongside the X Series and Y Series ranges.”

There are ongoing projects to incorporate the recently announced FIN Edge2Cloud remote connectivity option to streamline the management of thousands of connected sites and link these back to WebGarage,  which is fully compatible with the open standard Haystack 4.0 protocol, increasingly used in IoT applications, as well other complex web architectures.

For more details about WebGarage, Coster Group controllers and LoRa 868 wireless sensors*[1] visit: www.costergroup.eu

For more information about FIN Framework visit www.j2inn.com