HOOC AG, based in the Valais town of Visp, provides a wide selection of services ranging from remote access to telemaintenance and including cutting-edge IoT and connectivity solutions. With its visualisation applications and embedded software options, this new company offers a full range of system and network operation solutions.
Since 2015 HOOC has been operating in what it calls the Connect, Control and Collab sectors. Connect is the name it gives to providing secure remote and internet access and to installation and site networking. Control comprises modern telemaintenance, data visualisation and reporting. Collab refers to automatic remote alarm systems and various digital workspace services.
All of HOOC’s solutions are based on providing remote VPN access featuring advanced encryption. What lies at the heart of HOOC’s products is HOOC Cloud, which is where all of the installation data is centralised and can be consulted by users via their encrypted VPN connection. To benefit from HOOC’s solutions, customers use a dedicated gateway which ensures secure data transmission between the installations and HOOC Cloud.
How does HOOC work?
Users (technical managers, operators, end customers and the like) connect securely to HOOC Cloud via an app or PC. From there, they can access their different IT systems, HVAC installations or smart home applications. This ultra-secure VPN tunnel is what lies behind all the other solutions offered by HOOC.
The solution developed by HOOC is unique for several reasons. Because it is so secure, unlike conventional solutions it can do away with redirecting and fixed IP addresses. It’s fast too: it takes just two minutes for the VPN to be up and running. Remote access can be extended to other services including telemaintenance and the digital workspace. The technology is simple to use and the existing infrastructure doesn’t have to be upgraded. HOOC prides itself in guaranteeing maximum information security. All its solutions are hosted in Swiss data centres monitored by certified experts. “Our user-friendly solutions guarantee not only maximum information security, they can also be extended as and when needed,” says HOOC co-founder Daniel Berchtold.
Technology relevant to the cleantech sector
HOOC’s business is mainly B2B, supplying IT hardware manufacturers and systems integrators in the building automation and industrial sectors. In the cleantech sector, HOOC’s technology is being used in a number of ways. “Our solution can be used to optimise the local energy consumption of buildings through interactions between existing systems such as the heat pump and photovoltaic panels. With our platform, we can harmonise different protocols and add extra cloud-based services,” says Daniel Berchtold.
In the coming months, several projects will be keeping the eight people who work for HOOC busy. Together, they are going to explore the possibility of adding algorithms that can be programmed as required by their customers. In short, the people at HOOC are continually working to make their technology easier to use while guaranteeing security that is second to none.
