The advanced Building Portfolio energy management software leverages cloud computing and wirelessly communicating smart thermostats to deliver control through a single web interface that supports mobile devices running iPhone and Android.

In addition to the 10 AHR Expo Innovation Award winners highlighted in this issue, 31 other products have been recognized with honorable mentions in the same 10 product categories. The honorable mentions are listed here.

The Fleet Tracking platform provides the tools to manage a fleet and achieve measurable results. Designed for reliability and easy implementation, the cloud-based NexTraq solution provides the information to efficiently manage a fleet and maximize revenue.

HVAC contractors have a plethora of software products to choose from, all of which are designed to make their companies run more smoothly and generate more profit. Here are just a few of the software solutions that contractors may want to consider.

Most contractors have already given their technicians some type of basic mobile device — often a cell phone or two-way radio — while others have invested in total mobile solutions that include tablet PCs and portable printers. With the cost of mobile technology decreasing, now may be the perfect time to see if it makes sense to go mobile.

All contractors want to use software that will streamline operations while keeping data safe, organized, and easy to manage — and they don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it. Finding that dream software package can be a challenge, though, because every contracting firm has different needs.

Based on the company’s Refrigerant Slider, the KoolApp refrigerant converter mobile app converts mobile devices that use Android and Apple IOS into user-friendly pressure-to-temperature refrigerant converters. It is designed for installers, distributors, and producers of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.

Quickly producing performance diagnostic reports that won’t confuse technicians or clients, the Total Performance Diagnostic gives the technician much more than just system performance results, says the company.

New features and enhancements affecting virtually all areas of the program have been incorporated in Wintac 2012, the latest version of Wintac software. Key improvements were made to the job control center; dispatch boards; inventory control; and the customer, employee, and contact management capabilities.

The HVAC trade has a wide array of intelligent products at its fingertips, including thermostats that talk, furnaces that call contractors when there is a problem, and mobile phone applications specifically designed for service techs in the field. Now there is one more intelligent product that can be added to the mix.