Mequon-based Eagle Technology Inc., which developed the ProTeus V software system, recently released the latest version, ProTeus V 9.6.4. The ProTeus system helps maintenance workers and providers monitor electronically-controlled systems such as HVAC, security, electricity, lights, and others, said Harry Kohal, director of sales and marketing for Eagle Technology.
“Our niche is focused on facilities that have modern building automation controls on them,” he said. “The software we provide gives customers a data collection point for sustainability.”
The ProTeus V software coordinates specific systems within a building or campus of buildings, Kohal said. For example, it can identify a leaking valve, faulty fire system, hot water system running too hot, or a security camera that is not operating correctly.
“We just provide a maintenance listening device, we don’t provide the cure,” Kohal said. “We say ‘Based on this sensor point, this is what you’re supposed to do.’ We tie an event to a work order.
You’ll never replace the people. It’s not self-healing yet.”
The ProTeus software has been on the market for about 12 years. The latest version has upgraded the system’s ability to manage scheduled maintenance for different machines and systems within a building’s controls.
“Within a lot of systems you have to set up weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual maintenance,” Kohal said. “We’ve set up a tool so that on one screen you can schedule all of the cyclical maintenance for that piece (of equipment).”
The ProTeus V software can connect with all types of equipment, regardless of manufacturer, Kohal said.
The upgraded program has also improved its query functions, allowing customers to filter and extract information in the manner they want. The
query upgrade allows customers to tweak the information they see on the screen without customizing the application for each new customer, Kohal said.
Eagle Technology is constantly updating information about different machines and systems contained in its ProTeus software, Kohal said. The latest version of the program helps facilities managers determine the different machines they have within their building or campus to find the appropriate maintenance schedule.
“One of the most difficult tasks is gathering information on what you have in the system,” Kohal said. “This is a starting point of what you need to do with each piece. This list of tasks gives you a head start.”
The latest version of ProTeus V also features an upgraded web-based service request or help desk.
“A lot of clients want anyone to be able to call in a maintenance issue,” Kohal said. “This system allows anyone to go to the company’s Intranet and notify maintenance of an issue. They’ll get an email that the work order was approved or not approved.”
The web-based system allows anyone to interface with a maintenance department without a dedicated person needing to answer a phone or track voice mail. It also creates a paper trail to track complaints or service requests.
“It adds to productivity and better communication,” Kohal said. “A lot of maintenance’s time comes from interruptions and there is no (paper) trail in a lot of organizations. If you have no paper trail you only have half of a picture of what you’ve done.”
Eagle Technology has grown its revenues by 48 percent, year to date, since last year, Kohal said. About one quarter of that revenue growth was due to the company’s acquisition of Equipsoft, a sole proprietor operated maintenance interface software developer, earlier this year. The company is now known as Equipsoft Eagle LLC and operates through Eagle’s offices.
Before the end of this year, Equipsoft Eagle will introduce a new software product, Kohal said. He declined to discuss it further.
Eagle Technology has 20 employees in its Mequon location, and another five working for a wholly-owned subsidiary in Mexico. The Mequon office has added seven employees in its engineering and sales departments this year, Kohal said.
The company will begin looking for new office space in the Mequon area in the first quarter of 2008 because it is out of room at its present location.
Eagle’s ProTeus software is being used by more than 3,000 users around the world. The program is available in 12 languages, and the latest version has been translated into Arabic for the first time, Kohal said. ProTeus also incorporates translation, he said.
“It also supports foreign currency translation,” Kohal said. “We have several multi-national corporations using it in multiple countries (because of the translation capability).”
