Testing and analysis of equipment can show the unexpected value of a trusted partner

What happens when an HVAC systems expert meets a popcorn machine? Problems get solved, is the answer!

It’s time to get the popcorn out, literally, in this case.

If you’re a regular reader of our blogs, you’ll know that their focus is, in the main, on different aspects of HVAC systems and facilities management. Those are the domains in which NexRev is an expert and in which we assist our clients, as trusted partners, to achieve commercial success.

This blog, however, is going to step outside the box and talk about something more general: the importance of having such tried and trusted partners and how they can help you in ways you perhaps don’t expect, in this case, by performing independent analysis or testing of equipment that doesn’t fall under your standard relationship.

Popcorn machines: it really happens!

There’s a reason we arrived at this topic, and not just because it’s a theoretically important part of any successful supplier/customer relationship. “Strange” requests happen, and here’s an example of how.

A well-known movie chain recently purchased a complete set of NexRev’s flagship products. The project and solutions were a great success, and the implementation went well. So well, in fact, that, towards the end of the project we were told, casually, that the client needed to test the performance of various popcorn machines used in its theatres, another key component of its business albeit one that lay from the confines of our own wheelhouse.

Given NexRev’s experience with commercial machinery and systems, they asked us, if we could give them any help or guidance in this area.

It immediately struck us that it is the essence of what you should look for from a relationship with your vendors, a level of trust and respect developed through previous positive experiences that enable you to feel comfortable going outside the box in seeking assistance on various topics. We were obviously flattered that our client saw fit to ask the question about popcorn machines.

Even better, in this case, we were able to perform the popcorn machine testing that the customer required.

Expertise means different things and has various applications

Before going on, there’s an important caveat here; NexRev is not moving into popcorn (or any other fringe area of machinery testing).

It's a question of mindset. In simple terms, any supplier with which you have a relationship should be there to help you solve your problems and, as such, may be able to assist you with a solution beyond their own offerings. Proving this, the popcorn machine testing request wasn’t an isolated incident. At NexRev, because we are trusted by our customers and often tackle challenges that may not fall under a specific product or service listed on our website.

About testing

Using a more familiar example, HVAC testing and certification refers to the process of evaluating and verifying the performance, safety, and energy efficiency of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and equipment.

As with any equipment testing, this is done to ensure that the systems and equipment meet the required standards and regulations for quality and safety. Generally, the aspects of such testing involve:

• Performance testing - equipment testing to ensure performance as required/to meet expectations.
• Compliance - verify compliance to industry specifications
• Safety testing – also to meet industry standards.
• Materials testing
• Build and design testing
• Certification testing

The takeaway here is, if you’re not doing so already, speak to your suppliers and see if they are willing to leverage their skills to provide insights into the challenges you face irrespective of where they lie. As we’re already noted, NexRev isn’t moving into popcorn machines, but we were delighted to have the opportunity to help our customer fine-tune the performance of theirs!

About NexRev

At NexRev, we’ve been unlocking the power of facility and energy management data with over a million connected devices across North America. Our team of experts is focused on helping you deliver more with your budgets, infrastructure, and assets to create sustainable savings in operations and energy, reducing your risk and increasing operational confidence. To begin a discussion on how we can help you to reduce energy waste. please contact us.