Why We Use Computrols for Building Automation

The Short Version

We use Computrols for our building automation work. Not because someone sold us on it at a trade show — because we've used it in the field, we trust the product, and we trust the people behind it.

How We Found Computrols

When I started C&S, I looked at the usual suspects for BAS — the big names everyone defaults to. And they're fine. They work. But the more I dug into Computrols, the more it made sense for how we operate.

CBAS (Computrols Building Automation Software) is straightforward. The interface isn't trying to impress you with complexity. It's designed so that the guy who actually has to use it every day — the building engineer, the chief — can navigate it without a week of training. That matters more than people think.

What Makes CBAS Different

I've worked on a lot of BAS platforms. Here's what stands out about Computrols:

It's actually simple to program. Not "simple" in the way that marketing departments use the word. Actually simple. You can set up a sequence of operations, build out your points, and get a system running without needing a dedicated programmer on staff. That's a big deal for a service company like ours.

The web interface works. CBAS Web lets you pull up any building from a browser — real-time data, trends, schedules, alarms. No VPN headaches, no special software installs. You open a browser and you're looking at your building.

Integration isn't a nightmare. We've done Computrols retrofits on buildings that had legacy Teletrol, old pneumatics, you name it. Their integration path is clean. You're not ripping everything out — you're bridging to the new system and migrating at a pace that makes sense for the building and the budget.

Alarms and logging actually work. CBAS 20 has their Live Service built in — email alarms, error logging, offsite backups. It's not an add-on you pay extra for. It's just part of the system.

The Drew Mire Factor

What really sets Computrols apart is that we have direct access to their CEO, Drew Mire, whenever we need it.

Drew started at Computrols as an electrical helper. He ran wire, bent conduit, wired VAV boxes. He worked his way up through technician, project manager, branch manager, VP of Operations, and eventually CEO. The guy has done every job in the company. You can read more about his story on Computrols' website.

That matters because when you call Computrols with a problem, you're not talking to someone who's never touched a controller. Drew understands the field. He understands what it's like to be the tech on site at 2 AM trying to figure out why a chiller won't stage. That perspective runs through the whole organization.

I can pick up the phone and call Drew directly. Try doing that with the CEO of one of the big BAS manufacturers. It's not going to happen. With Computrols, it's just how they operate.

What This Means for Our Customers

When we install Computrols in a building, we're not just putting in a product and walking away. We're giving the building team a system they can actually use. And if something comes up that we can't solve on our own, we've got a direct line to the people who built it.

That's not a sales pitch. That's just how it works.

Who Computrols Is Good For

Computrols isn't for every building. If you're a massive campus with 50 buildings and you need enterprise-level analytics dashboards, there might be other options to look at. But for commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, office towers, mixed-use — the buildings we work on every day — Computrols is hard to beat.

It's reliable, it's programmable by real technicians (not just controls engineers), and the company behind it actually picks up the phone.

Bottom Line

We chose Computrols because the product is solid and the people are better. In this trade, that combination is rare. If you're evaluating BAS options for a commercial building, give them a look. And if you want to talk about our experience with their systems, reach out — I'm happy to share what we've learned.