Onset Releases New Version of Web-Based Monitoring System

By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorBourne, Mass.–Onset Computer Corp., a portable data logging and monitoring solutions company, has released a new version of HOBOlink, its web-based energy and environmental monitoring software platform.HOBOlink, which reports data such as temperature, relative humidity and CO2 levels, provides users with 24/7 accessibility to the information. “Multifamily owners want to get a handle on energy usage in their properties, and they want convenient access to the information. By enabling the data to be presented on the web, we are accomplishing that goal,” Evan Lubofsky, director of marketing for Onset Computer Corp., tells MHN, explaining how the system is different from other data loggers.In addition, users can remotely change settings on the system through HOBOlink. For example, if the user wants to change how often a measurement is taken, he can do so through the site.HOBOlink is compatible with Onset’s HOBO U30 GSM and Wi-Fi-based remote monitoring systems, which measure the desired information, explains Lubofsky. Additionally, there is no additional wiring involved for the Smart Sensors, as they automatically link up to the U30, and the hardware is NEMA 6-rated, allowing it to withstand extreme heat.The software can be used in both commercial and residential applications, single- or multi-family. For multifamily owners and managers, the tool “gives them instant access to energy and environmental data in their multifamily homes, which gives them an understanding of how efficiently certain appliances are running,” explains Lubofsky. “The data can identify equipment problems, such as with furnaces or HVAC systems.”The new HOBOlink includes a number of new features, included expanded data scaling, which provides users with more options to view the information in real-world measurement units, enhanced rainfall graphs, displaying hourly and daily rainfall totals, and a signal strength indicator, so users can confirm reception for the system.Users may choose to set up HOBOlink to notify them via text message or email when conditions exceed certain user-defined limits. Plans for the HOBOlink service, which is available on AT&T and T-Mobile networks, start at $240 per year.