Frequently Asked Questions

Alerton Integration Engine release

Where is the Alerton Integration Engine a good solution?
The Alerton Integration Engine (AIE) is ideal in jobs that require integration capabilities. Because of its ability to
integrate to third-party protocols, the AIE—when loaded with the correct driver—is able to “speak” with virtually
any building automation device.

Isn’t the Alerton Integration Engine just the Tridium JACE repackaged?
Yes. The new AIE plastics and labels will differentiate the AIE from all of the other Tridium variations and give you
an Alerton-branded product to supplement all other Alerton products on a project. Alerton-branded products should
provide your service department with direct calls from your Alerton customers. Also, the new plastic and label
provides a vertical mounting approach to match Alerton controllers.

Why is Alerton releasing a repackaged JACE?

Alerton is releasing the AIE because of demand from you, the dealers. We have had numerous requests to see
Alerton-branded product for integration on projects. The AIE should provide you and your service departments with
more opportunities for service instead of a customer trying to decide who they are going to call; they will call the
local Alerton dealer first. Also, in some cases, a customer may have chosen to install a Niagara-based system
throughout their facility. The AIE products can be used to add onto that project without purchasing product through
another brand. Again, your service department should be the first to be called for those additions where you use
Alerton to add onto an existing Niagara-based system.

How does release of the AIE affect the Alerton BCMs and other controllers?
The release of the AIE products does not affect the BCMs or other controllers at all. All BCMs continue to be
manufactured along with all VLXs, VLCAs, VLCs and VAV controllers. In fact, the BCMs should always be the
global controller of choice due to their reduced engineering, programming and set-up time for any Alerton system.
The AIE is now available to supplement the BCMs because of the integration capabilities now seen in projects.

What do I need to order Alerton Integration Engine products?

Niagara AX certification by at least one employee is required before a dealer can purchase AIE products through
Alerton web ordering. The ordering process is documented in “How to Purchase AIE,” which you should read
before you log on to web ordering. Find this document in the Sales & Marketing section on the AIE Product page of
the ASN at http://asn.alerton.com/s/Categories/Integration/1003.

There is also a one-time setup fee of $500 to place eligible dealers in Niagara Central, the tool required to manage
your licenses. The annual renewal fee of $1,500 is due every March and dealers will receive automatic reminder
notifications 90, 60 and 30 days prior to expiration. These fees go direct to Tridium and will need to be paid
regardless of whether you have paid them with another brand that uses the Tridium product.

Why do I need training before I can order Alerton Integration Engine?

An AIE does not work like a typical Alerton product: It uses a different programming toolset than the BACtalk
product line. Niagara AX certification ensures you will have a strong foundation for installing, programming and
understanding these unique products.

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 Alerton Integration Engine | Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I sign up Niagara for training?

If you do not have a person trained that is Niagara AX Certified, you can send a person to any one of the
recommended institutions below to achieve certification.

• Tridium University: http://www.tridiumuniversity.com

• M.O.V. Training Services: http://www.movtraining.com

• Environmental Systems Inc: http://www.thinkesi.com

Any of these three institutions will be able to provide you with Niagara AX Certification training to fulfill the
purchasing prerequisite. You can also visit the Training pages of the ASN at http://asn.alerton.com/s/Pages/Training
for more information about upcoming Niagara AX training.

What if I—or someone in my company—already completed through Niagara AX training?

If you already have a representative who has obtained Niagara AX Certification, scan a copy of the awarded
certificate and email it to training@alerton.com.

How do I get my software license?

Once you are eligible for ordering Alerton Integration Engine products and have submitted a purchase order (PO)
for the hardware, you will receive the license path required to obtain software licensing. After your original order is
entered, Niagara Central will email you confirmation, log-on credentials and the license so you can bind the
software to the corresponding AIE.

Can software licenses be re-synched to another piece of hardware? What is that process?
Yes, they can. The binding and unbinding process is documented in “Binding Unbound AIE Software Options,”
which you should read before you log on to Niagara Central. Find this document in the Technical Documentation
section on the AIE Product page of the ASN at http://asn.alerton.com/s/Categories/Integration/1003.

Can I add additional software drivers after the fact?

Yes, you can. To add additional drivers to AIE controllers, return to Niagara Central and follow the same steps in
“Binding Unbound AIE Software Options,” located in the Technical Documentation section on the AIE Product
page of the ASN at http://asn.alerton.com/s/Categories/Integration/1003.

Who is going to support my AIE installation and configuration?

Alerton Technical Support has been trained and will be your technical support for the AIE products.

Are the AIE controllers—the A-2, A-6, A-7, A-403 and the A-545 —BTL listed?
Yes, they are BTL listed as BACnet Building Controllers (B-BC). These five AIEs will be listed on the BACnet
International Testing Laboratories (BTL) website at http://www.bacnetinternational.net/btl/index.php?m=39 in mid-
August 2011.

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