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The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) International Training & Education Center (ITEC) in Crosby, Texas, serves as both a working facility and a training environment for operating engineers from across North America. The mechanical systems at the facility are used to both operate the campus and educate the students on how modern building systems function. Before working with Computrols, the facility relied on a legacy building automation system that provided limited visibility and access into system operations. As a result, engineers often had to rely on outside service technicians to troubleshoot issues, and many problems persisted because engineers did not have access to system logic or complete operational data. For a facility dedicated to training operating engineers, the lack of system transparency made it difficult to both optimize building performance and use the system effectively as a teaching tool. To fully support both operations and education, the facility needed a building automation system that would give engineers direct access to system data, control logic, and the tools required to operate the building themselves.
IUOE staff were introduced to Computrols through industry connections and quickly recognized the advantages of an open building automation platform. After onsite demonstrations and discussions with the engineering team, Computrols implemented a system that could interface with the existing equipment while providing full visibility into building operations. The integration focused first on the central plant and key mechanical systems, allowing engineers to begin monitoring and optimizing equipment performance while continuing to operate the existing infrastructure. Because the Computrols platform provides access to all system data points and logic, IUOE engineers were able to troubleshoot issues internally and gain a deeper understanding of how their systems operate. The system was also implemented with the training mission of the facility in mind, allowing students and engineers to view real system logic and operational data as part of their education.
As part of the integration strategy, Computrols also interfaced the building automation system with the facility’s Maestro hotel management software, used to manage trainee accommodations. By linking room occupancy data to the BAS, HVAC operation in lodging areas can automatically respond to whether rooms are occupied. This improves operational efficiency while giving engineers a real-world example of how building automation systems can integrate with other operational technologies across a facility.
With Computrols in place, IUOE engineers gained the visibility and control needed to actively manage building performance. Access to real-time system data, trends, and control logic allows the team to refine equipment sequences, tighten schedules, and reduce unnecessary runtime—capabilities that were difficult to achieve with the limitations of the previous system.
Using Computrols’ energy management tools, the engineering team has been able to continuously monitor performance and make targeted adjustments that improve efficiency. These efforts reduced electrical consumption by more than 570,000 kWh compared to the previous year. Despite a significant increase in electrical rates, the facility still finished the year 16.7% under electrical budget and 22.7% under natural gas budget, resulting in nearly $68,000 in total utility savings—approximately 17.8% below the overall utility budget.
Beyond operational improvements, the system has also become an important educational resource. By providing direct access to real system data, programming logic, and troubleshooting tools, the platform now serves as a hands-on learning environment where engineers can develop the skills needed to operate and optimize modern building systems.
Today, the IUOE International Training & Education Center continues expanding the Computrols platform as additional equipment is upgraded, using the facility itself as both a high-performing facility and a living laboratory for building automation.