It's a Controls Problem

Hawaiian Pizza Please Productions
  • 4,9 (7)
  • ТЕХНОЛОГИИ
  • ЕЖЕНЕДЕЛЬНО

Dive into the world of building automation with "It's a Controls Problem"! Hosted by industry expert Charles Johnson and industry newb Matthew Vanberg, this podcast explores the latest advancements in controls systems, energy efficiency, and smart building technology. Tune in for insightful discussions, practical advice, and interviews with leading professionals. Expect laughs, learning, and maybe a few epic fails along the way as we get real and dive into all things building controls related.

  1. -5 ДН.

    Attack the Problem Mindset with Justin Thomson

    In this episode, we sit down with Justin Thomson to track his journey from the early days of WASP Technologies to his current role with Logan Pass Construction pushing the boundaries of the industry. We dig into the philosophy behind building a Linux-based Niagara station and why Justin leans so heavily into open-source foundations for critical infrastructure. It’s a great look at how technical curiosity turns into industry-changing hardware. We also get into the heavy lifting of data center construction and what the AI explosion actually means for the physical layer of buildings. Justin shares his take on future-proofing infrastructure and why we need to move past the "happenstance" of how people land in building automation and start being more intentional about the technology we deploy. To wrap things up, we shift from the server room to the boardroom. Justin breaks down his approach to leadership and communication through the lens of a control loop—using integration and feedback as metaphors for managing high-pressure projects and building better teams. Logic Link Collective: ⁠Donate to Stacks+Joules⁠⁠Get Involved

    1 ч. 7 мин.

  2. 28 АПР. ·  БОНУСНЫЙ КОНТЕНТ

    MicroSwitch - UDP vs TCP with Scott Sammarco

    Ever stood in a mechanical room wondering why your data feels like a guaranteed hand-delivery while other times it’s just tossed into the ether? Scott Sammarco is officially breaking it down in the premiere of MicroSwitch, our brand-new short-format series designed to give you the technical goods without the fluff. In this first episode, Scott dives into the backbone of BAS networking: UDP vs. TCP. In the world of building automation, picking the right protocol is the difference between a rock-solid front-end and a laggy mess of "offline" points. Scott walks through the "handshake" reliability of TCP—essential for when every bit of data is sacred—and stacks it up against the lightning-fast, "send and forget" nature of UDP. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): The reliable veteran. It checks for errors, manages flow, and makes sure everything arrives in the right order. It’s your go-to for critical supervisor-to-server communication where you can't afford a single missing packet. UDP (User Datagram Protocol): The speed demon. It’s lightweight with much less overhead. Since it doesn’t stop to check if the data actually made it, it’s perfect for real-time streaming or high-speed hardware pings where a tiny bit of loss is better than a long delay. #MicroSwitch #BuildingAutomation #BAS #SmartBuildings #BACnet #Networking #TCPvsUDP #ScottSammarco #ItsAControlsProblem

    23 мин.
  3. Always Invite Your Operators with the Automation Ladies

    16 АПР.

    Always Invite Your Operators with the Automation Ladies

    This week on the show, we’re joined by the powerhouse trio behind the Automation Ladies podcast: Nikki Gonzales, Ali G, and Courtney Fernandez. If you’ve ever wondered how three people from such distinct paths end up dominating the industrial automation space, this is the conversation for you. We dive deep into their individual origin stories, moving past the resumes to the actual grit it took to navigate an industry that isn’t always the easiest to break into. From the early hurdles of being some of the only women in the room to the hard-won trials and tribulations of running major projects, they share the reality of what it looks like to build a career in the world of bits, bolts, and heavy machinery. From nerdery to redemption in the trades, this is a can't miss! The ladies gave us the full backstory on OT SCADA CON. Born out of a need for a community that actually feels like a community, they broke down why they decided to build their own convention from the ground up and how it focuses on hands-on learning and real-world connection rather than just corporate slide decks. It’s an episode packed with heart, high-level tech talk, and a lot of laughs about the chaos of the automation realm. Logic Link Collective: Donate to Stacks+JoulesGet InvolvedConnect with the Ladies: Listen to Automation Ladies: automationladies.io Join the Community at OT SCADA CON: otscada.com

    58 мин.
  4. Shift Perspectives for a Better BAS Future with Jonathan Spooner

    17 МАР.

    Shift Perspectives for a Better BAS Future with Jonathan Spooner

    In this weeks episode, we’re joined by Jonathan Spooner of Stacks+Joules to look at how the next generation is rewriting the rulebook for Building Automation. We also discuss the "DAB Lab," where students move past bench testing to get their hands dirty with real-world troubleshooting on active boilers and AC units. From the philosophy of "messy but functional" wiring to why Revit and digital twins are the perfect bridge for a generation raised on Minecraft, this conversation covers the evolution of the facility manager into a high-tech systems navigator. Plus, we hear about their exciting expansion into the Charlotte market and how they’re de-risking the hiring process for contractors by proving that local talent is ready to handle the high-torque demands of modern buildings. Learn More About Stacks+Joules at: https://stacksandjoules.org/

    1 ч. 7 мин.
  5. Getting Graphic with Louis Laurents: Part Deux

    10 МАР.

    Getting Graphic with Louis Laurents: Part Deux

    In our latest episode we catch up with a guest from last season, BASGFX.com automation graphics guru Louis Laurents. There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you stop treating building automation like a backend chore and start looking at it through the lens of high-end user experience. Louis has been at the forefront of that shift, and having him back on the show feels like a masterclass in what’s possible when you stop settling for the status quo in N4 graphics. In this episode, we move past the high-level theory and get our hands dirty with a live demonstration. We walk through the actual workflow of loading custom graphics into Niagara 4, touch on some what-not-to-dos while navigating through the "feature" rich platform. It’s easy to make a graphic look good in a vacuum; it’s much harder to make it functional, scalable, and responsive within the Niagara framework. Visit our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@a_controls_problem for an instructional segment only version. And feel free to ask questions on either platform!

    1 ч. 15 мин.

  6. 3 МАР.

    Champion Both Sides of the Table with Aaron Hastings

    In this episode of It’s a Controls Problem, we are joined by Aaron Hastings, the president and founder of Apex Consulting Systems, for a conversation that covers everything from DIY hardware to the high-stakes world of building automation consulting. Aaron’s entry into the industry is a classic "origin story" involving a custom-built Super Nintendo controller he made in high school woodshop using buttons scavenged from an old asteroids table and radioshack parts. That early technical curiosity led him to his first HVAC job in a New Jersey snowstorm, where his ability to read a wiring diagram made him an immediate asset. Over the years, he moved from climbing ladders into the complex world of building automation simply because it seemed like a challenge that offered better long-term prospects. And he was right… We explore Aaron’s move to consulting after years in the trenches with manufacturers and integrators. He shares blunt insights on the "mind-bogglingly stupid ideas" greenlit by stakeholders who overlook mechanical realities. Acting as a translator, Aaron bridges the gap between jargon-heavy providers and owners focused on efficiency-driven ROI. We also chart the evolution of "smart buildings" as we shift from basic functions to a modern focus on energy optimization and breaking vendor silos. The conversation gets particularly lively when we move into a technical "hot seat" segment where Aaron shares his "hill to die on" in the industry: the hope that Modbus will eventually go away. This leads to a fascinating debate about the frustrations of integrating disparate protocols and the importance of things like APDU timeout settings when mixing vendors on a single bus. To wrap things up, Aaron discusses his commitment to education through his project, Writing with the Senior Tech, where he documents his field experiences through notes and videos to help the next generation of technicians avoid the "mediocrity" that can sometimes plague the industry.

    1 ч. 21 мин.

  7. 19 ФЕВР.

    Automation is Better Together with Scott Sammarco

    In this episode of It’s a Controls Problem, we’re getting into the weeds of how we actually pass on knowledge in an industry that never seems to sit still. We’re joined by Scott Sammarco, a veteran who’s been deep in the trenches. Scott walks us through his own start in the business before taking a deep dive into the different ways he and Charles approach training. It’s a bit of a methodology face-off, looking at the best ways to take someone from "what is this?" to actually being proficient. Beyond the teaching styles, we don't shy away from the messy parts. The real-world challenges that keep us all on our toes and the hurdles the industry is currently trying to clear. We wrap things up with a fun segment that puts both Scott and Charles in the hotseat. It’s an honest, energetic conversation that takes on a trip through the minds of our guest and host.

    1 ч. 35 мин.

  8. 13 ФЕВР.

    Break Free From the Silos with Jonathan Henderson

    In this episode, we sit down with BAS professional Jonathan Henderson for a candid look at the messy, often frustrating reality of modern industry workflows. Rather than just listing achievements, the conversation dives into the "human" side of the business—the grit and trial-and-error required to actually move the needle in a complex corporate landscape. A central theme of the discussion is the urgent need to smash the "silos" that keep departments—and people—working in isolation. Henderson argues that these rigid, siloed processes don’t just slow things down; they stifle the creative problem-solving necessary to survive today’s challenges. He shares personal insights on how to bridge those gaps, encouraging a shift toward collaborative, cross-functional cultures where information flows as freely as the ideas themselves. It’s a refreshingly honest take on how to break free from "the way we've always done it" to build something more agile and interconnected.

    1 ч. 30 мин.
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Dive into the world of building automation with "It's a Controls Problem"! Hosted by industry expert Charles Johnson and industry newb Matthew Vanberg, this podcast explores the latest advancements in controls systems, energy efficiency, and smart building technology. Tune in for insightful discussions, practical advice, and interviews with leading professionals. Expect laughs, learning, and maybe a few epic fails along the way as we get real and dive into all things building controls related.

Информация

  • Автор
    Hawaiian Pizza Please Productions
  • Годы выхода
    2025 - 2026
  • Выпуски
    31
  • Ограничения
    С ненормативной лексикой
  • Авторские права
    © Hawaiian Pizza Please Productions
  • Сайт подкаста
    It's a Controls Problem

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