Non proprietary elevator control systems – 2019 Series

This is the first in a series of blogs about non-proprietary elevator control systems.  We will be featuring a different non-proprietary elevator control manufacturer each week.  I am pretty excited about this group of blogs and would like to thank everyone who has or will be helping out with supplying me with information for this series.   Some of the content in this blog is a rebroadcast of the 5/13/18 blog.

What is the big deal about non-proprietary control systems?  This is potentially the difference of being stuck and not stuck with one service provider.

Definition of proprietary - As an adjective, belonging to ownership; owned by a particular person; belonging or pertaining to a proprietor; relating to a certain owner or proprietor. Proprietary refers to ownership or characteristics relating to ownership.

What proprietary means to an elevator owner?  This means that the XYZ company who installs this equipment owns the ability to disseminate service tools, technical support and parts for the elevator system.  Legally the elevator contractor has to supply parts for the elevator system but they do not need assist in troubleshooting or sell the diagnostic system[even if the diagnostic tool technically belongs to the elevator owner when they purchase the elevator].

Examples of proprietary elevator systems – Otis, Kone, Schindler, Thyssen Krupp[to name a few].

Definition of non-proprietary - not registered or protected as a trademark or brand name; generic.

(especially of computer hardware or software) conforming to standards that are in the public domain or are widely licensed, and so not restricted to one manufacturer.)

What non-proprietary means to an elevator owner?  It means that anyone and everyone that is qualified to work on elevators has access to software, diagnostic systems & technical support.  More flexibility with an open architecture plan.

Examples of non-proprietary elevator systems – MCE, Smartrise, GAL, Vertitron Midwest, Virginia Controls, Elevator Systems, Elevator Controls among others.

The true essences of a Non Proprietary Control System should answer YES to every one of the following questions:

• Does the warranty transfer from service provider to service provider during the coverage period?
• Does the controller manufacturer offer free technical support for the life of the system?
• Does the controller manufacturer offer the same replacement part price to the original installer as well as any subsequent maintenance company?
• Does the controller manufacture offer warranty on parts sale to any maintenance company?
• Does the controller manufacturer offer to take back or restock parts if the part was not part of the problem?
• Does the controller manufacturer offer free factory training?
• Does the controller manufacturer offer feature upgrade and modification requests to any subsequent maintenance company?
• Does the controller manufacturer offer software upgrades to any subsequent maintenance company?
• Does the controller manufacturer provide onsite trouble shooting to any maintenance company?
• Does the controller manufacturer provide call history of the project subsequent maintenance company?
• Does the controller manufacture provide repair services to any maintenance company?

[Read the affidavit some interesting questions when considering buying a controller]

[Will the control company you choose put their name on this document?  If they will not perhaps you should ask some more questions.]

When you are making a purchasing decision for your elevators take some time to get these answers or send this to the control manufacturer the company is choosing to use to see what answers or lack of answers you get.  Your elevator investment is one of the largest building capital expenditures, you should have confidence you are making a good decision.

*Thank you Jeff Yeager from MCE for sending me some great information to get this series going.

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.