Jon Åkerström

Marcus Sundberg

Talk to us

Want to know how you can save energy usage and utilize spot prices in your systems?

Check out release notes for Kiona products. Be the first to know when we publish updates to our software or create new features. Get a summary of new product releases and see the improvements made to existing products.

Product updates

<p>Making the most out of every kilowatt is more critical than ever. All over Europe, we're trying to keep the energy use down while the bills keep climbing. The energy crisis is gripping the world, with potentially grave consequences.</p>





<p>If optimization in the real estate industry has often been about acting responsibly and reducing climate impact, it is now about coping in the short term with a coming winter crisis with skyrocketing electricity prices and overcoming the grid load problem, says Jon Åkerström.&nbsp;</p>



<p>We have experienced strong interest from our partners to offer tools for smarter electricity use and reduced costs. By shifting electricity use to periods with less load on the grid, we can help control Europe's energy load problem and save money on electricity bills at the same time.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>This is especially useful when you want to reduce high costs related to electricity prices. When heating pools, cooling down ice-hockey rinks, or switching between energy sources – you can make sure that you shift loads to non-busy hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>





<h2 id="h-spot-prices-in-web-port-iwmac-energinet-and-edge">Spot prices in Web Port, IWMAC, Energinet, and Edge&nbsp;</h2>



<p>We are proud to contribute in our way with what we do best. That's why we're delivering free access to real-time spot prices reflecting the European electricity market operated by Nord Pool in all Kiona products.&nbsp;</p>





<p>Nord Pool is the official electricity trading exchange for 16 European countries, meaning electricity use can be managed and planned more intelligently.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>Spot prices are updated at 13:00 every day and contain data for the upcoming 24 hours.</em></p>



<h2 class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://kiona.com/products/web-port/portal-module/">Web Port</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



<ul><li>The electricity spot prices are freely available for all customers on a subscription model.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Access to spot prices through tags and scripting language enables the creation of smart solutions for electricity, effectively controlling building systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Build operational images and report pages that can visualize future, current and historical price data.&nbsp;</li><li>Partners can also use Blockly as a high-level "drag and drop" programming language. Spot prices will be a component ready for use.</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://kiona.com/app/uploads/2022/09/Web-Port-spot-price-1024x640.png" alt="Spot prices in Web Port" class="wp-image-16861" width="700"/><figcaption><strong>Image:</strong> Spot prices as a component ready to use in Blockly.</figcaption></figure>



<h2><a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/">IWMAC</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



<ul><li>The electricity spot prices data is a freely available add-on to <a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/smart-functions/">Smart Functions</a>.    </li><li>Partners and customers can utilize IWMAC Smart Functions with this new feature on existing or new plants to target the challenges involved with high electricity prices.  </li><li>Tailor-made operational images are available that visualize future, current, and historical price data on the operations.</li><li>For customers with API access, you can utilize the spot price data in third-party systems for free. </li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://kiona.com/app/uploads/2022/09/IWMAC-Spot-price-1024x576.png" alt="Spot prices directly in IWMAC" class="wp-image-16877" width="700"/><figcaption><strong>Image:</strong> Example of visualization of future, current, and historical price data with spot prices in IWMAC.</figcaption></figure>



<h2><a href="https://kiona.com/products/energinet/">Energinet</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



<ul><li>The spot price is freely available for all customers.&nbsp;</li><li>Create reports containing meters with electricity spot prices to, for example, give you insights into how your equipment affects your total operational costs.</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://kiona.com/app/uploads/2022/09/Energinet-Spot-price.png" alt="Spot price graphs in Energinet" class="wp-image-16869" width="700"/><figcaption><strong>Image:</strong> Energinet spot price graphs for various geographic locations.</figcaption></figure>



<h2><a href="https://kiona.com/products/edge/">Edge</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



<ul><li>For customers with API access, you can utilize the spot price data in third-party systems for free.&nbsp;</li><li>Tailor-made Insights reports are available using future, current and historical price data.&nbsp;</li></ul>

We take responsibility in the energy crisis – offering spot prices for free to all subscribing customers

Marte Engdal

Go to product page

Want to know more about Alarm Monitoring 24/7?

IWMAC

<h5 id="h-product-iwmac">Product: IWMAC</h5>



<h5 id="h-new-alarm-monitoring-incident-report">New: Alarm Monitoring incident report</h5>



<p>See what happens at our alarm center at all times (for customers with <a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/">IWMAC</a>s add-on <a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/alarm-monitoring-24-7/">Alarm Monitoring 24/7</a>).&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<ul><li>Every call-out done by our alarm operators will often be noted with an explanation of the incident, the date of notification, and the number/person who is notified. &nbsp;</li><li>You can see all incidents in the same overview if you have multiple plants.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Additional improvements have been made to the backend to give you a better experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>



<p>The incident report is now available for all customers with Alarm Monitoring 24/7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>To access it:</strong> Click on the "<em>Call log" </em>button accessible from the menu (upper right-hand corner) in Operation Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://kiona.com/app/uploads/2022/09/ENG_call_log_system_image.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-16158" width="700" height="404"/></figure>

IWMAC: Alarm Monitoring incident report

Maria Sotberg

Ståle Eriksen

See our solutions

Explore our products and solutions for building management

Get to grips with energy management. On our blog, you will find energy optimization and management content suitable for novices and energy experts. Find blog posts, use cases and videos on energy analysis, energy optimization, and reporting, just as relevant for commercial buildings, public works and industrial buildings as for housing cooperatives or multi-residential properties.

Energy Management

<p>Warm buildings, good ventilation, hot water, immediate lighting, and great coffee – energy means a lot to us. It keeps technologies running and indoor climates pleasant, and all require power.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While experts continue to predict that energy charges will rise – it seems to leave many of us facing cloudy times in the future. Our heating systems also work a little extra as the weather gets colder. And if you're reaching summertime, our cooling systems must push a bit more.</p>



<h2 class="has-medium-font-size" id="h-good-interplay-can-slash-bills" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700"><strong>Good interplay can slash bills</strong></h2>



<p>We must eradicate "power thieves" and keep power loads under control to <a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/smart-functions/">stop the electricity bills from running wild</a>.</p>



<p>"Controlling the interplay between cooling and heating is worth its weight in gold when it comes to reducing bills, as well as controlling the related automatic systems. Control prevents money being thrown out of the window with the various sources of heating and cooling working against each other," says Ståle Eriksen, Key Account Manager at Kiona.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>He adds that many "obvious things" aren't discovered until it's too late.</p>



<p>"Monitoring systems manually requires masses of attention. The to-do list is often long. Having control of all the various systems' cloud-configured' means there is no need to worry. When it's minus 20 outside, air conditioning and cooling won't be running. Heating and snow-melting systems won't be on in the middle of summer."</p>



<h2 class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700"><strong>Power tricks that work</strong></h2>



<p>Control systems use logic and fixed threshold values to interpret incoming operating data and use them to adjust temperatures, start/stop equipment and smooth out power curves. They do this primarily before we users would notice anything.</p>





<p>Implementing measures that affect costs requires timely data.</p>



<p>"We set up rules to enable all connected systems to work 'smarter.' They then optimize, streamline and proactively give notifications of adjustments that can save energy. This means direct savings on the bill," Eriksen explains.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700"><strong>Reduce energy consumption with efficient control</strong></h2>



<p>Naturally enough, the length of use and the power demanded by technical equipment affect how much energy we consume. Yet, if we are not aware of how much energy we are using, we can't know if we are underperforming or if it's possible to improve.</p>



<p>Electrical devices often present heavy power loads when they are heating. Fortunately, we do not have to run our coffee makers for long periods. Other small things can also help cut consumption. Examples include turning off unnecessary lights, heating via cooling systems' surplus heat (rather than electricity), and using some time/need/weather-report controlled ventilation.</p>



<p>"It's not just these things either. Intelligent control of installations also makes life easier for any building's technical crew. Faults can be detected sooner and time spent on more important things." "Again, without having to worry too much about the bills, energy-efficient control still gives us good, warm buildings in the middle of winter. With a little luck, we can also leave our extra sweaters in their drawers a little longer," concludes Eriksen.</p>

How can we overcome skyrocketing energy prices?

Viktor Bardun

Solutions for refrigeration

Make sure your produce always stays fresh

Stay cool and informed with our stories on refrigeration and freezing. You will find content on temperature control suitable for rookies and tech-savvy partners. Find blog posts, use cases and videos on temperature control, heat recovery, natural cooling and wireless temperature sensors. Relevant for supermarkets, hotels and restaurants, and large industrial cooling systems like marine and other food processing facilities.

Refrigeration and freezing

<p>Temperature control is mostly about ensuring food safety, and we have strict requirements for fridges and freezers in Europe. The main rules are that</p>



<ol type="1"><li>perishable foodstuffs must be stored at 4 °C or lower</li><li>the cold chain must be uninterrupted</li><li>the temperature of freezers should be -18 °C or lower</li></ol>



<p>But even in the good fight against microorganisms, it's foolish to use more energy than necessary. So it's worth looking closely at the product: What is the specified storage method? If you have several products that can withstand temperatures higher than 4 °C, you can store them together in a separate cabinet. It's a waste of energy to keep them at a lower temperature than necessary.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-cold-is-too-cold-for-your-refrigeration-units"><strong>How cold is too cold for your refrigeration units?</strong></h2>





<p>Of course, when it comes to your freezer, it's not like -36 °C is twice as good as -18 °C. Anything below 22 °C is, in practice, the equivalent of throwing energy right out of the window. So it's best to keep the temperature in the freezer within this 4-degree range. The temperature will fluctuate, but if you have IWMAC monitoring, you'll get reports with temperature logs every 24 hours. That way, you can quickly check if products are in danger – or if there is energy to be saved.</p>



<h2><strong>Cool facts about temperatures</strong></h2>



<p>At IWMAC, we often visit new customers at supermarkets to supply training. Once accurate temperature monitoring is in place, many have a real lightbulb moment. Here are the most common experiences, summarised in three practical temperature tips.</p>



<h3><strong>1. Close the door to the freezer or refrigerated room when restocking</strong></h3>



<p>Heat exchange happens faster than you think. Ensure that the refrigerated/freezer room door does not leak, and never leave it open while restocking items. Otherwise, warm air and moisture can sneak in, and ice forms.</p>



<h3><strong>2. Don't let the ventilation work against you</strong></h3>



<p>Fridges and freezers are seriously affected by the temperature and air humidity elsewhere in the store. When summer finally arrives, this is especially important to look at and address. If it's 20 °C in the store with 40% humidity – as it is in winter – you'll have around a 55% load on the refrigerated counter and freezer. However, if it is 20 °C with 60% humidity, the load will quickly become 75%. And that's something you need to keep in mind.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>I have even seen ventilation systems blowing 27 °C warm and humid summer air into the store. Then we're talking a load of over 100 percent. It's a complete waste when two systems are fighting against each other.</p><cite><em>Viktor Bardun, Sales Coordinator, Kiona</em></cite></blockquote>



<p>Want control of your uptime? <a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/">Let your ventilation, cooling, and heating work together!</a></p>



<h3><strong>3. Don't leave the door of the store open</strong> </h3>



<p>And last but by no means least: We understand that it can be tempting to leave the store's door open in the summer. Many people do, but it's not good for your refrigeration and freezer system. Better to have the store a little cold and close the door. This gives your food a safer environment and reduces your fridge's freeze burden – and your electricity bill.</p>

How to store food - and save energy

Jostein Markussen

Find your contact

Contact your Key Account Manager to know more

<h5 id="h-product-iwmac"><strong>Product: </strong>IWMAC</h5>



<h5><strong>New: </strong>Outlook integration</h5>



<p>You can now connect to <a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/">IWMAC</a> through your Microsoft Outlook calendar. </p>



<ul><li>See upcoming bookings directly in IWMAC.&nbsp;</li><li>Everyone who has access to use a meeting room, event space, or similar can do this the same way you would typically book a meeting in Outlook.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://kiona.com/app/uploads/2022/08/IWMAC-Outlook-integration-time-schedule-1024x565.jpg" alt="Oulook intergation for IWMAC" class="wp-image-15836"/><figcaption>IWMAC's Time Schedule is connected to your team's Outlook calendar for easy zone management.</figcaption></figure>



<p>It can be used in many different cases, for example:</p>



<p>IWMAC works to prepare the space by making sure you get the right temperature at the right time, based on set values. You can adjust these according to your wishes and needs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Outlook integration can be an asset both when you want to book a meeting space or turn on the lights of your local sports team's football pitch. Here we meet advanced automation with a simple user interface such as Outlook.&nbsp;All these events can then be booked through outlook and have different pre-defined settings in IWMAC&nbsp;</p>



<p>This means that you can avoid using an unnecessary amount of energy. The system calculates how many hours in advance one must preheat or cool to reach the set point at the correct time.&nbsp;</p>

IWMAC: Outlook integration

Contact us

Ready to find your perfect solution?

Love all things proptech? Get ahead on building automation with Kiona. On our blog, you will find content on automation suitable for newcomers and tech-savvy partners. Find blog posts, use cases and videos on everything from systems automation, machine learning and AI to Smart functions, Rest API, drivers and IoT for use in technical installations.

Building Automation

<p>Most buildings today have some sort of smartness to them. Whether it is lighting, HVAC, automation, energy management solutions, or a combination of multiple systems – the same question often comes to mind: how smart do your systems really have to be to keep up with growing demands?</p>



<p>The truth is that technology simply doesn’t age at the same rate as bricks or steel. But just like an old brick stone building should be upgraded rather than torn down, you should give your technical installations the same shot. So, where do you begin?</p>



<h2 id="h-start-with-a-plan">Start with a plan</h2>



<p>Some begin small, utilizing sensors and choosing to connect a few installations to an IoT platform. Maybe with a plan to connect further down the road. Others have carved their goal in stone, going all out with integrating multiple systems from the get-go, knowing it will save them money in the long run.</p>





<p>Which route is the best for you is dependent on your goal. That’s why there is no such thing as one size fits all when it comes to <a href="https://kiona.com/solutions/for-building-management/">building automation solutions</a>. But some planning ahead can make it easier to start off on the right foot.</p>



<h2 id="h-challenges-in-integrating-smart-buildings-and-how-to-get-ahead">Challenges in integrating smart buildings – and how to get ahead</h2>



<p>Both building owners and facility managers can face some headaches when implementing automation to buildings today, especially retrofitted or renovated ones from another era. In these buildings, the technical equipment usually mixes both old and new – making it difficult to integrate.</p>



<h3 id="h-step-1-choosing-the-right-solution">Step 1: Choosing the right solution</h3>



<p>While you may view conflicting systems as a stumbling block, the first step is recognizing them as an opportunity. Because in what better way can you deliver real, measurable change than by analyzing existing data – and becoming better?</p>



<p>Now, let’s step back to your great plan again. Is your goal to reduce operational costs? Then you might focus on your core installations, such as ventilation, heating, or larger cooling systems. Then you can benefit from using a SCADA platform to connect your installations.</p>



<p>For others, the most important thing may be to stay on top of temperatures and be alerted if faults should happen. Looking for&nbsp;<strong>options that allow you to add on other systems or solutions</strong>&nbsp;later is a great way to ensure scalable possibilities that you won’t grow out of right away.</p>



<h3 id="h-step-2-utilizing-ready-to-connect-technology-with-existing-systems">Step 2: Utilizing ready-to-connect technology with existing systems</h3>



<p>The strength of more modern building systems is the ability to share data. Make sure that you choose independent solutions utilizing open protocols, APIs, or drivers. This allows systems from various vendors, such as ventilation and lighting, to communicate with each other and transport information.</p>





<p>Put in an open management platform, like an IoT platform or a more extensive SCADA system, you get a better view of the performance of your installations and a better understanding of your building. If you have multiple buildings, you can use the same platform to gather all information from your operations – making you better understand your consumption as a whole and make changes to optimize operations.</p>



<h3 id="h-step-3-support-and-adjustments-for-the-future-every-so-often">Step 3: Support and adjustments for the future – every so often</h3>



<p>The tech you find in building automation systems today is more complex than ever before. Set a plan for reviewing technical installations and software every so often, and utilize some expert help every once in a while to keep everything running smoothly.</p>



<p>Creating energy-efficient, sustainable buildings for the future is all about reusing, updating, and choosing technology built around open APIs and protocols. This way, you can ensure that the integrations you make today are possible to scale, build on and continue to use – for years to come.</p>

Future-proof integrations – and how you get there 

Want to create the most flexible building going forward?

Build your knowledge in building management. On our blog, you will find content on building management suitable for newcomers and tech-savvy partners. Find blog posts, use cases and videos on everything from technical systems integration, HMI and SCADA solutions, alarm monitoring, zone control, lighting, heating, ventilation and air quality. Just as relevant for commercial buildings, public works and industrial buildings as for housing cooperatives or multi-residential properties.

Building Management

<p>Recently, office buildings have been more or less empty, office rents are decreasing, and more people are seeing great benefits from continuing to work from home. How flexible is your building when working patterns vary day by day?</p>



<h2 id="h-when-50-becomes-10">When 50 becomes 10</h2>



<p>How many people are in the building – or rather: how many are not there – plays a big role in managing indoor climate and energy use. A good tip is to not heat the whole building if there are only a few in one area. Maybe you can also put the brakes on the ventilation system without compromising the indoor climate.&nbsp;</p>



<p>An advantage of <a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/">IWMAC</a> is that it is easy to adjust and customize the building. With IoT sensors, you can add new technology to an existing system without spending money on wiring and installation. Money saved is money earned, especially when you can make existing automation even smarter.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-energy-saving-made-easy">Energy-saving made easy</h2>



<p>There is already plenty to think about without adding energy costs to the list. Many people find it challenging to keep track of energy costs, energy use, and optimization of the technical setup of the building. With an energy monitoring system, the job becomes a little easier. Then you can be sure that you don't use more energy than necessary.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Because when your electricity bill needs to be taken care of, you shouldn't have to be on-site to make a change. Why not let IWMAC's intelligent SCADA system be in control? If you weigh up the energy costs, the investment probably pays for itself.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It makes moving the office several miles away a little easier, right?</p>

The future of hybrid work

Learn about monitoring energy consumption and temperatures

<p>The <a href="https://www.seedvault.no/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Svalbard Global Seed Vault</a> was opened in 2008 and is now home to over one million seed samples. Some people have compared it to Noah's ark. Others have called it a frozen Garden of Eden. The biblical allegories suggest the seriousness of the issue.</p>



<p>"This is not our biggest assignment, but it may well be our most important. It's with a certain sense of awe that we look after what may come to look after all of us eventually," says Jostein Markussen of Kiona.</p>



<h2 id="h-with-eyes-on-mother-earth-s-backup-monitoring"><strong>With eyes on mother earth's backup – monitoring</strong></h2>



<p>It all started when the company Kuldeteknisk (now PTG), a Kiona-certified partner, won the tender to supply the refrigeration plant to total contractor Hæhre. They knew who they wanted to bring along with them as a subcontractor.</p>



<p>"We do a lot of good things with Kiona. They deliver reliable solutions and are flexible, and we work well together. If we need anything, they solve it for us. That's how it was in this case, too," says Martin Corneliussen, project manager at PTG.</p>



<p>While PTG supplies the equipment, Kiona is responsible for monitoring the technical equipment, such as the dehumidification system and CO2 machine, using the SCADA system IWMAC. They're also responsible for monitoring energy consumption and temperatures – from the main door into the innermost and holiest storage areas.&nbsp;</p>



<h2><strong>Overview – and remote control</strong></h2>



<p>Thanks to detailed system images, the cooling contractor can monitor that everything is working correctly. "That's the key to this project," says Corneliussen.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"All the aspects here are important, but without monitoring, we wouldn't be able to maintain control of what's happening. That's vital for Statsbygg, the Norwegian government's building commissioner. They've completed major modifications and are very keen on maintaining a complete overview," he continues.</p>





<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://kiona.com/app/uploads/2022/04/svalbard-seedvault-alamy-P2PPYH-1440x958-1-1024x682.jpg" alt="Inside the Svalbard Global Seed Vault" class="wp-image-1460"/><figcaption>Photo: Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Seed Bank) in Svalbard, Norway. Photo by Hemis / Alamy</figcaption></figure>



<p>At the same time, it's not just about monitoring because what if something needs to be changed? Markussen at Kiona explains that the overview is only half the story.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"It's one thing always to have a clear picture of what's happening, but you also need control. Our system allows service partners to remotely control and customize the system from anywhere in the world. So they don't need to travel to Svalbard to make changes."&nbsp;</p>





<h2><strong>The value of perfect temperature</strong></h2>



<p>There are several reasons why Platåberget mountain on Svalbard was chosen. One of them is that the mountain is frozen.</p>



<p>"In other words, what is stored there is not just artificially refrigerated. That provides an extra level of security as a fail-safe. If the human systems failed, the seeds would still stay cold," says Corneliussen at PTG.</p>



<p>But the correct temperature is also about predictability and stability. And the site owner's instructions are clear: The temperature must be -18 °C. No more, no less.</p>



<p>"It is our job to achieve that precise temperature," he explains and concludes:</p>



<p>"And using IWMAC, we can both ensure and document that we can do just that."</p>

The icy Guardians of Svalbard

Martin Eksberg

Filip Lagerlöf

Check out Edge

Want to know more about our self-learning AI engine?

<p>Mitra Hajigholi and Raghunath Vairamuth are data scientists focusing on machine learning and data analysis with Kiona. They have worked on several projects connected to data science, such as <a href="https://kiona.com/products/edge/peak-control/">Peak Control</a> 2.0, AI-steering, and predictive maintenance.</p>





<p>One valuable result is our control algorithm, which allows us to see how energy consumption varies at different temperatures in real-time. Previously, energy consumption was analyzed and compared based on reference year data.</p>



<h2 id="h-customer-insights">Customer insights</h2>



<p>Mitra and Raghunath's work with the platform continues. One important aspect of this is to collect relevant data based on customers' needs for information.</p>



<p>Mitra has completed several interviews to determine what data customers want to see, are interested in, and why this information is vital to them. The data generated will be used to create new Machine Learning algorithms. This will allow us to develop better, intuitive, and visual reports that can be tailored for each customer.</p>





<p>We have also collected more weather-related data points to improve our control algorithm. In this way, we can help customers identify energy peaks on a larger scale. We can also proactively warn energy companies days in advance, says Raghunath.</p>



<h2 id="h-using-data-to-increase-energy-efficiency">Using data to increase energy efficiency</h2>



<p>In addition to the above, Mitra and Raghunath are working on improving predictive maintenance. Here, the data is used to analyze the central heating performance. Advanced analysis of the amount of heat that enters and leaves the heating system makes it possible to detect leaks or deviations.</p>



<p>– We need to help customers understand the value of collecting correct data from their building portfolio and what type of data is valuable. That is when it becomes a win-win-win from an environmental, customer, and cost perspective, Mitra concludes.</p>

The minds behind the algorithms

Max Karlsson

Check out Check Point

Want to get control over your defrosting procedures?

<p>Regular defrosting is essential for some counters and cabinets to ensure optimal function. If there's too much ice in your fridge and freezer, it can block the inflow of cold air. This either leads to the unit working harder than necessary or the temperature becoming too high. Either way, it's bad news.</p>



<h2><strong>Chill a little</strong></h2>





<p>So you probably think that you defrost too infrequently? Of course, that may be the case – there are huge differences between freezer cabinets and refrigerated rooms. But in reality, you're probably a little too eager! The most common mistake we see is that people defrost too often. And there's a simple explanation: While older counters and cabinets quickly began to complain if you didn't defrost them 2 or 3 times a day, many modern fridges and freezers are far more forgiving.</p>



<p>So if you've recently switched your refrigerant to a modern, CO<sub>2</sub>-based one, you'll also need to change your settings.</p>



<p>But won't it make a difference if I do it more often, you may be thinking? Yes, a little – because defrosting uses more power. If you do it more often than necessary, you're just wasting energy. And we don't want that.</p>



<h2><strong>Find the right defrosting routine</strong></h2>



<p>The right defrosting routine depends on what kind of equipment you have – so make sure you're familiar with it. In addition, many related factors affect how often you need to remove the ice from your fridge and freezer.</p>



<p>How often is the room used? What are the room temperature and humidity otherwise? For example, more ice will also form if you have a dairy storage room where people are walking in and out all the time and letting in a lot of moist and warm air. In that case, of course, you need to defrost more often.</p>



<h2><strong>Get control and an overview</strong></h2>



<p>But how can you know when the time has come to defrost? And how do you know if your actions are having an effect – did that defrost program really help? Today you can get excellent help from smart sensors, which can detect if the airflow is sufficient and measure the temperature at which the ice forms.</p>



<p>If you have <a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/">IWMAC</a>, it's easy to track whether the electric heating elements are doing their job – or if you need to step in and defrost manually. Monitor whether the temperature increases when the "toaster" defrosts. If it doesn't, it won't cause the ice to melt.</p>



<p>Add <em><a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/smart-functions/">Smart Functions</a></em> to your IWMAC, you can easily simulate whether or not you're defrosting too often. You'll also get all deviation indications sent to you directly, so you can optimize your energy consumption. It's far cheaper than walking around and checking the sensors manually – or getting others to do it.</p>



<h2 id="h-keep-an-eye-on-the-defrost-time"><strong>Keep an eye on the defrost time</strong></h2>





<p>If you're responsible for refrigerated counters and freezer cabinets, you're probably as tired of the "Frozen" problem as the parents of small kids are. In pure frustration, turning up the stop temperature is easy, believing it will make short work of ice. But if you want to "let it go," you should set the stop temperature close to the product temperature.</p>



<p>And if your freezer room is fully defrosted after 10 minutes, setting the defrost time to 30 minutes makes no sense. The goal is to melt the ice – not use the unit to heat the freezer room. It's a waste of energy.</p>

Defrosting made easy - take control of the ice

Håvard Sæther

Our solutions

Job listing

<h2 id="h-when-customers-need-help-they-expect-swift-answers">When customers need help, they expect swift answers.</h2>




<h2>Full-time</h2>



<p id="h-start-as-soon-as-possible">Product Specialist and Account Manager</p>



<p id="h-start-as-soon-as-possible"><strong>Start:&nbsp;</strong>As soon as possible<br><strong>Location:</strong>&nbsp;Espoo, Otaniemi</p>



<p><em>Recruiter - Headhunter&nbsp;</em><br><strong>Tommi Toivonen&nbsp;</strong><br><a href="https://intelligentemployment.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intelligent Employment<br></a>Direct: +358 (0) 9 7515 4111</p>



<div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link" href="mailto:Tommi@intelligentemployment.com">Apply for the job</a></div>




<p>We are looking for an enthusiastic, driven product specialist to join our fantastic team. Responsibilities include conducting market research and analyzing trends, performing product demonstrations to staff and customers, gathering feedback, and offering recommendations to the sales team. You may also be tasked with facilitating training sessions, as well as assisting with new product launches.</p>



<p>To be successful as a product specialist, you must have a passion for the products you work with and keep expanding product knowledge. Outstanding product specialists should have a keen eye for spotting market trends, a willingness to inspire clients, and the ability to work both independently and within a team.</p>



<p>The products specialist regularly engages other support technicians and colleagues in engineering, sales, and marketing. Their role is to work with other departments to ensure that a business is truly meeting customer needs.</p>



<h2 id="h-your-responsibilities">Your responsibilities</h2>



<ul><li>Product and solution localization to meet local requirements and expectations.</li><li>Answer product-related questions politely and address queries promptly.</li><li>Identify customer needs and recommend appropriate products based on knowledge of products and brand offerings.</li><li>Collaborate and strategize with the business and engineering teams.</li><li>Attend workshops and refresher courses in products, sales, and marketing.</li><li>Planning and assisting with new product releases and events.</li><li>Perform product demonstrations for customers, staff, and other stakeholders.</li><li>Manage user training (on-site, webinars, Teams) for the new user and existing users for new functionality.</li><li>Provide remote technical support to customers via Teams, phone, and email.</li><li>Obtaining feedback from clients to improve existing products and recommendations Product stakeholders</li></ul>



<h2>Your background includes</h2>



<ul><li>Technical background within Building Automation with strong IT knowledge.</li><li>Recognized as 'the go-to person for complex Building Technology system solutions.</li><li>Experience from the Real Estate (Residential, Commercial, or Industrial), Heating Central / HVAC, or Building Management industry.</li><li>3 to 5 years of industry experience</li><li>Excellent organizational, research, and multitasking abilities.</li><li>Fluent in Finnish and business proficient in English.</li><li>A valid driver’s license.</li></ul>



<h2>You are</h2>



<ul><li>An entrepreneurial mind: Self-starter, agile, flexible.</li><li>Service-minded and solutions orientated.</li><li>Excellent at communication and teamwork.</li><li>Knowledgeable and curious in the field of building management and energy efficiency.</li><li>Conscious of presenting a professional appearance.</li></ul>



<h2>We offer</h2>



<ul><li>An engaging international work atmosphere.</li><li>Opportunity to develop your professional skills.</li><li>Flexible working environment-</li></ul>

Product Specialist and Account Manager - Finland

<h2>Full-time</h2>



<p id="h-start-as-soon-as-possible">Technical Sales Manager</p>



<p id="h-start-as-soon-as-possible"><strong>Start: </strong>As soon as possible<br><strong>Location:</strong> Espoo, Otaniemi</p>



<p><em>Recruiter - Headhunter </em><br><strong>Tommi Toivonen </strong><br><a href="https://intelligentemployment.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intelligent Employment<br></a>Direct: +358 (0) 9 7515 4111 </p>



<div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link" href="mailto:Tommi@intelligentemployment.com">Apply for the job</a></div>




<p>We seek a sales-oriented, professional technical sales engineer to join our company. The technical sales engineer's responsibilities include identifying and winning new customers, ensuring and developing long-term relationships with our customers to an agreed retention level, delivering product demonstrations, networking with new clients, expanding sales territories, and increasing your knowledge of technical products. You should be able to provide excellent customer support and make appropriate suggestions for improvement.</p>



<p>To be successful as a technical sales engineer, you should demonstrate excellent active listening skills, actively work to develop the local team, patience, and confidence. Outstanding candidates are self-starters with superb networking abilities, research skills, and a good eye for opportunities.</p>



<h2 id="h-your-responsibilities">Your responsibilities</h2>



<ul><li>Simplify technical terms during product demonstrations and post-sales customer support.</li><li>Maintain strong professional relationships with existing clients and meet with new clients to expand sales territories.</li><li>Updating orders and sales and negotiating the best contract terms.</li><li>Listen to customers' needs and advise them on the best products.</li><li>Memorizing technical product specifications and keeping up-to-date with new company products as well as industry trends</li><li>Obtaining feedback from clients to improve existing products and recommendations Product stakeholders</li></ul>



<h2>Your background includes</h2>



<ul><li>Bachelor's degree in engineering or similar.</li><li>3 to 5 years of industry sales experience</li><li>Experience in sales through Partners would be advantageous.</li><li>Experience in the Real Estate (Residential, Commercial, or Industrial), Heating Central / HVAC, or Building Management industry.</li><li>Experience with customer service, analysis</li><li>Fluent in Finnish and business proficient in English.</li><li>A valid driver's license.</li></ul>



<h2>You are</h2>



<ul><li>An Extrovert, with excellent communication and teamwork skills.</li><li>Knowledgeable and curious in the field of building management</li><li>Excellent organizational, research, and multitasking abilities.</li><li>Strong negotiating and problem-solving skills.</li><li>Strong interpersonal skills.</li><li>An entrepreneurial mindset: Self-starter, agile, flexible.</li><li>Service-minded and solutions orientated.</li><li>A professional appearance.</li></ul>



<h2>We offer</h2>



<ul><li>An engaging international work atmosphere</li><li>Opportunity to develop skills</li><li>Flexible working environment</li></ul>

Technical Sales Manager - Finland

Åsmund Svinndal

See our building management solutions

Ready to utilize some ready-to-connect tech?

<p>Proptech is something everyone is talking about. Often in the context of newer, bigger, and better technologies. The emergence of new companies pioneering the latest new and bold technology. The way you collect and use big data is becoming increasingly important. </p>





<h2 id="h-a-new-world-of-confusion">A new world of confusion?</h2>



<p>As new solutions emerge, skepticism and confusion grow alongside them. The technology is somewhat new, but the problem remains the same – <em>how </em>will this make building operations easier? For owners, operators, and managers, it all revolves around how technologies will work together to make everyday life easier – and our footprints smaller.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The answer to what value Proptech provides is then maybe not just the technology itself, but the value created when we come together. For us here at Kiona, Proptech isn't just a buzzword or the latest thing being developed in the tech world – it's the solutions that make it possible for new technologies to communicate with each other. It's the collection of data and several billion stored data points that can be shared further.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>It's the ecosystem of the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-an-ecosystem-undergoing-change">An ecosystem undergoing change</h2>



<p>Sharing the ecosystem allows us to further develop the technology and use it in a better way. We must fulfill our green ambition with sustainable solutions. Using new technology to make new and existing buildings energy efficient will make it easier to meet global climate goals, and much of the work is already underway.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Sensor technology is here to stay. Machine learning and AI are the beginning of data-driven, intelligent buildings that can control themselves and continuously learn new patterns, and AI technology is only getting smarter and smarter.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>In five years, self-learning will be a part of everyday life for everyone managing buildings. Maybe we'll see virtual sensors that can operate buildings with the help of machine learning and historical data from the same type of building when an existing building lacks the necessary technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>In the future, the limit is not <em>what </em>we can develop but <em>how much </em>we can create using the data we already have.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-technologies-of-the-future-are-created-by-collecting-and-sharing-data">Technologies of the future are created by collecting and sharing data</h2>



<p>Our core expertise today lies in integrating different systems – regardless of the brand. Our strength is staying ahead on everything necessary for data collection.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>We will continue to push the industry to share valuable data with everyone. The industry standard, Kiona Ready, is proof of this – or rather: just the beginning. But it's not enough to blindly share – the data must be able to actually work together to create something really useful.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>No one player can solve everything, and a well-functioning ecosystem will be crucial to the success of the digitization of the industry. It's about many players getting good at their niche or the experts crunching different data and passing it on.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Proptech doesn't just provide value for its creators but for the entire value chain. Only then can we talk about a revolution.</p>

Why everyone is talking about Proptech

Joacim Hindersson

Want to know what Edge can do for you?

<p>Terhi Toppinen-Häyrinen, Property Manager, develops the energy efficiency at Settlement Apartments Ltd with Kiona. Edge is quick and easy, she says.</p>



<p>"It's all gonna work out." Five little words. That's Terhi Toppinen-Häyrinen's motto and a great source of energy.</p>



<p>"Even when it seems impossible, I still believe that everything will work out fine," she says. "I don't give up, and I get satisfaction when something is progressing."</p>



<p>Terhi Toppinen-Häyrinen longed for order when she started as property manager of Settlement Apartments Ltd eight years ago. Settlement Apartments Ltd is a developer of communities, providing various housing services. The company's properties were new, high-quality houses built in the 2000s, with a construction method and technical performance that seemed above the average Finnish standard. However, they were unique specimens. It was challenging to manage the whole because there was no structure.</p>



<p>"I thought, 'I've got some interesting work ahead.' At that time, you couldn't talk about the mass of the property, the whole. The houses had a life of their own."</p>



<h2 id="h-optimized-heating-led-to-big-savings">Optimized heating led to big savings</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://kiona.com/app/uploads/2022/05/blog-understanding-paves-the-way-for-order-settlement-apartments-1240x698-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="Settlement apartments" class="wp-image-6260" width="799" height="449"/></figure>



<p>Toppinen-Häyrinen saw that the Settlement Houses needed an energy management system. It would help improve their buildings' energy use and conditions, optimize energy efficiency, and anticipate problems.</p>



<p>Some research led to the implementation of the cloud-based <a href="https://kiona.com/products/edge/">Edge</a> system. Using IoT technology, Edge connects all the devices in the buildings, collects data, and intelligently controls the systems based on weather forecasts and a chosen strategy.</p>



<p>In 2021, the 17 properties of the Settlement Houses managed to cut their energy consumption by 1502 MWh, which is about 13% of the total consumption of these properties.</p>



<p>The megawatt-hours saved in one year are equivalent to the heating costs of about fifty single-family homes using a heat pump. This is a good result for houses built mainly in the 2010s, with no significant investment in the existing heating technology.</p>



<p>Saving energy has not been an end goal in itself, but the objective has been optimizing energy consumption and creating suitable conditions.</p>



<p>"This was our first properly optimized heating season," says Terhi Toppinen-Häyrinen.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"We've got the setpoints very well aligned. Edge serves us well because it is easy to use and allows us to react quickly to different situations. I also think connectivity is a big plus. The integrations are successful beyond paper."</p></blockquote>



<h2>Beyond the walls</h2>



<p>Today, over 5 500 buildings in eleven European countries are connected to the Edge platform. The company's properties have a total surface area of 53 000 m<sup>2</sup> and 1 365 apartments. The majority of the houses are located in the metropolitan area. There are two properties in Tampere and Turku and one in Hyvinkää and Joensuu.</p>



<p>The Settlement Houses are rental dwellings open to all, with residents enjoying exceptionally high quality and well-equipped common areas.</p>



<p>"We offer our residents not only walls and a roof but also a great living environment," says Terhi Toppinen-Häyrinen.</p>



<p>"Our job is to create a better resident experience for them. We work for them and not the other way around."</p>



<h2 id="h-balanced-heating-more-important-than-a-quick-win">Balanced heating more important than a quick win&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The values of settlement housing are community, economy, and ecology. The company aims to develop a sense of community both within the houses and across the block. Its CEO is Heli Kotilainen, who has previously worked at Granlund as a division director and head of the <a href="https://figbc.fi/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Green Building Council Finland</a>.</p>



<p>One of the tools for a better resident experience is the production of real estate services. According to Toppinen-Häyrinen, they have also decided to take some previously outsourced services in-house.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://kiona.com/app/uploads/2022/05/blog-understanding-paves-the-way-for-order-Terhi-Toppinen-Häyrinen-1240x698-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="Understanding energy efficiency paves the way for order" class="wp-image-6276"/><figcaption>Photo: Terhi Toppinen Häyrinen, Property Manager at Settlement Apartments Ltd</figcaption></figure>



<p>"How do you put it nicely? We chose a new direction because the current model didn't meet our quality service expectations. I am very excited about this change."</p>



<p>Energy efficiency is also being improved for the benefit of residents. As a result, temperatures in the settlement houses may be slightly higher than those where energy consumption has been pushed down at the expense of comfort. However, Terhi Toppinen-Häyrinen prefers balanced, moderate development to aggressive changes.</p>



<p>"The result looks good. We have learned a lot and are moving towards our goals. With Kiona and Edge, we have order, understanding, and a system that is developing strongly and visibly. I really like that kind of style."</p>

Understanding energy efficiency paves the way for order

Trond-Øystein Bjørnnes

Take control of your technical systems

<p>Among other things, we're talking about our food. For many store managers, the worry will always be there, like a buzzing noise in the background. A voice that never stops whispering: What if something goes wrong? What if it happens tonight?&nbsp;</p>



<p>At Kiona, we're working to silence that voice — so you can feel more reassured. But not just for that reason. We view it as our social mission to help safeguard these resources. It's about the essential foods intended for people's homes and maintaining sufficient quality. And when we're able to protect that, we reduce both food waste and our climate impact.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-guardians-of-the-ark">Guardians of the Ark&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Food isn't just stored in the shops. That's why we need to keep our eye on the ball throughout the value chain. Today we have both systems and people monitoring central warehouses throughout the continent. We ensure that food is never exposed to the wrong temperature – and we prevent waste wherever it can occur.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>And it doesn't stop with food. Medicine warehouses also rely on uncompromising monitoring to ensure vital medicines are not wasted. In fact, many medicines are far more temperature-sensitive than even food. Socially critical drugs require very specific storage conditions everywhere, from pharmacies in hospitals to large medicine warehouses.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>And in Svalbard, 1300 kilometers north of the polar circle, perhaps the holiest is located: <a href="https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/food-fisheries-and-agriculture/svalbard-global-seed-vault/id462220/">The Global Seed Bank</a>. The ark itself. "The doomsday vault." It is part of the last shield we hold in our hands there. We're pretty proud of that.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Remote control in a time of crisis&nbsp;</h2>



<p>But the greatest non-conformance of all is this: The earth's temperature is all wrong. The alarm has gone off. Here we may not be able to do quite as much, but we can do something. We can arrange for you to control your building's energy consumption wherever you are. We need to end waste. Energy thieves need to be stopped. In addition, in times of crisis, the operations manager can put the building into 'hibernation.'&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>That option to control systems remotely is essential. We have systems in place in both nursing homes and care homes. If a contractor or service partner is not allowed to travel there when something fails, they can deal with the non-conformance from their current location. And if they need advice, they may be among those who can get it from our <a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/alarmmonitoring-24-7/">alarm centre</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Because there are heroes around who don't wear a cape or uniform. The people who monitor all these stocks of food and medicine – and even more secret things – 24 hours a day. Their job is to let you know the second something goes wrong.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Together with our systems, they are the safety net for all those critical resources.&nbsp;</p>

Critical resources are more than just food

Read our story

Get to know us even better

Company news

<p>This means we must dare to take some chances and do things we haven't done before. It requires that we have the courage and guts to think new and creative and break some barriers. Kiona is the whole package, the whole experience – from the solutions we offer to the e-mail that gives you helpful user tips or updates you on the latest trends.</p>



<p><strong>And starting today, we are one Kiona.</strong></p>



<h2 id="h-what-does-that-mean-for-you">What does that mean for you?</h2>



<p>For our existing customers, who have come to love one or more of our <a href="https://kiona.com/products/">products</a> – IMWAC, Edge, Energinet, or Web Port – everyday life will be pretty much the same. You can lean on the same people you have come to know. At the same time, we get more expertise and bigger muscles to help you. </p>



<ul><li>Our products, people, and solutions will remain the same. It's just more of everything. Becoming Kiona is how we can offer open, flexible, and independent solutions that can be tailored to your needs, depending on what you are looking for.</li></ul>



<ul><li>All products will now appear with the same colors and appearance. But no need to worry – except for a more similar wrapping, they still do the same job.</li></ul>



<ul><li>We put our hearts (and brains) together to continue to develop user-friendly technology that gives you the control and information you need. A faster pace of innovation will benefit you.</li></ul>



<p></p>



<h2 id="h-why-is-this-a-good-thing">Why is this a good thing?</h2>



<p>In many ways, this is the last piece that was missing to make the puzzle complete. Kiona is so much more than just a name, colors, and a logo. It is the step we had to take to become a little faster and stronger, to become who we always wanted to be.</p>



<p>To offer complete solutions, from ready-made setups for data integration to monitoring, advanced optimization, and reporting, we needed to be more curious, creative, and an even better partner you can trust. Therefore, Kiona is the perfect match for four stand-alone but complementary solutions.</p>



<p>For nearly 20 years, we have helped large property owners and small grocery stores make their technology perform better and push a little bit extra. Now it's time for us to challenge ourselves as well.</p>



<p>The keys to the realm are in your hands. We welcome you into our world!</p>

blog