LonMark International, a non-profit international association recognized for the certification, education, and promotion of interoperability standards for control networking, experienced membership growth as a result of its recent LONCOM conference. Hosted at McDonald’s Hamburger University, the two-day LONCOM conference attracted suppliers, integrators, and users of control systems based on LonWorks® control network technology and LonMark® open standards.

New LonMark members affiliated with energy efficiency software, restaurant equipment  and systems integration include Automated Equipment LLC, C-Tech Controls, Franke Foodservice Systems, GridNavigator Inc., Kitchen Brains, Phoenix Energy Technologies, Prince Castle LLC, Robinson Solutions and Serious Materials.Several McDonald’s executives shared their perspectives on networked kitchen equipment and building automation systems, including Laurie Gilbert, vice president innovation with McDonald’s Corporation.

“We are excited about the ability to monitor, anticipate and even act on issues before they impact the operation of our restaurants utilizing smart equipment and integrated restaurant technology,” said Gilbert.  “If the technology can enable the business to take care of itself, the restaurant manager and crew can focus more attention on our customers.”

Conference topics covered a broad spectrum of subjects including Compliance and Certification Requirements for Networked Restaurant Equipment, Business Case Opportunities For Restaurant Equipment, Energy Sustainability for Multi-Site Locations, Innovative Approaches to User Interface Selection and Design and Preparing Buildings for the Smart Grid.

Presentations delivered at the LONCOM conference can be downloaded at http://www.lonmark.org/connection/presentations/2011/Q2/LONCOM.