We typically hold four Advanced Training Classes a year, as demand dictates from the VAR base. The normal frequency is February/March, June, August and November/December. These classes usually are three-days in length, running from Tuesday to Thursday. This page will provide an overview of the ASIC/2 version of the class.
ASI Controls does not hold any training classes at our Office in San Ramon, California. Instead, we bring the training class to you. When we hold an Advanced Class, we try to choose a location that is easy to get to, and with a good full-service Hotel for lodging. We try to stay as close to the airport as possible, to minimize the need for hired transportation. The Class is held in the Hotel itself in one of their meeting rooms.
We encourage everyone who is attending to arrive at the training site the night prior to the class. Most attendees will fly to the site, but if you are close enough to drive, we still encourage you not to arrive the morning of the class, so you can be ready to go on time. The class will be wrapped by 3:00 PM on the final day, so you can make your travel arrangements accordingly. If you have to leave the class earlier than 3:00 PM because of your arrangements, that is okay.
Please review the page on travel tips to make sure your experience is as pleasant as possible.
ASI Controls will provide a continental breakfast each morning of the class. We will also provide two breaks a day, to be taken in and around the training room.
Lunch will also be provided, which is generally held in the Hotel. If there are locations close by enough to walk to, we may leave the Hotel for lunch.
ASI Controls will host dinner all but the last night of the class. You are not obligated to attend, but we are happy to have everyone be our guest. We will arrange transportation for the whole class to the restaurant.
Below are the general details that apply to the class itself.
This course is intended for customers who have completed Essential Training and would like to learn more about the programming capabilities of ASI Visual Expert and the ASIC/2 product line.
ASIC/2 configurable controllers can be used to satisfy those sequences not covered by the pre-programmed ASIC/1 line. Combining the graphical programming of ASI Visual Expert and the object-oriented programming of the ASIC/2 controllers allows you to configure the controllers to follow any practical HVAC sequence.
The Advanced Training course costs $750 and includes an ASI Visual Expert development license for in house use. If you already have an ASI Visual Expert development license, the cost is $500.
An acceptable candidate for this program should have completed the Essential Training course or have equivalent experience. Participants in the course are expected to provide their own hardware, including a Windows XP Pro or Vista PC with a free RS-232 port and CD drive, as well as an ASIC/1 and ASIC/2 controller with power supplies, communication cables, etc. If you have a training kit from a recent Essential Training session, this should have all of the hardware you need (except the PC).
We also recommend bringing an external mouse, since most people can navigate faster with an external mouse than the built-in pointing device(s) on a portable PC.
The class begins at 8:30 AM each day. We take a break in the morning around 10:30, and then continue until noon. We take an hour for lunch, and then reconvene at 1:00 PM. We take an afternoon break around 2:30 PM, and finish up at 4:30 PM. We generally meet around 5:45 to go to dinner.
ASI Controls has been teaching courses on our control system since our beginning. We believe that the best way to learn our system is with a combination of instruction and hands on experience. During training you will be able to work with your controllers and apply practical applications. Additionally the course will contain some lab time to further your understanding of system features. The general outline of our ASIC/2 Training course is listed below.
Welcome and introductions
Installation of Expert software
Upgrading firmware on ASI hardware
Working with Visual Expert
Basics of ASIC/2 controllers
Function Groups
Modbus RTU Master Object