Smart Controls
Smart Controls, founded in 1992, designs and manufactures programmable multi-protocol building automation controllers, sensors, and network products, including 10BASE-T1L Single Pair Ethernet solutions, serving commercial, industrial, education, medical, and military facilities via direct sales and a global system integrator channel.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersFairview Heights, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Smart Controls does
Smart Controls, LLC is a privately held building automation technology company headquartered in Fairview Heights, Illinois, founded in 1992. The company designs and manufactures programmable multi-protocol controllers, indoor air quality sensors, network infrastructure products, and a proprietary graphical programming environment (VisualControl). Its core technical differentiation centers on native multi-protocol communication (BACnet, LonTalk, MODBUS) within a single controller and early-mover work on 10BASE-T1L Single Pair Ethernet for long-reach (up to 1000m) IP-based building automation networking.
The company's product portfolio spans the SC-series and EC-series multi-protocol controllers, the SI-40 indoor air quality sensor family, FR/GRouter network components, and the VisualControl drag-and-drop programming IDE. Smart Controls serves five distinct verticals: commercial buildings, industrial/warehouse facilities, educational institutions, medical/healthcare facilities, and military facilities. A joint venture announced with ASI Controls in September 2025 is producing co-developed 10BASE-T1L solutions demonstrated at Niagara Summit 2026 and AHR Expo 2026.
Revenue is generated through unit-priced hardware sales ranging from $142.50 to $742.50 via a direct E-Shop with free continental US shipping, supplemented by wholesale pricing through the Smart Partners channel program for verified system integrators, value-added resellers, and OEMs. The company operates from a single US location with 11-50 employees, is led by President David Kniepkamp (30+ years of building automation experience), and has no disclosed external funding, parent company, or public listing.
Smart Controls firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Smart Controls
- Legal name
- Smart Controls, LLC
- Website
- https://smartcontrols.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Smart Controls, founded in 1992, designs and manufactures programmable multi-protocol building automation controllers, sensors, and network products, including 10BASE-T1L Single Pair Ethernet solutions, serving commercial, industrial, education, medical, and military facilities via direct sales and a global system integrator channel.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Smart Controls industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Building Automation
- NAICS
- Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Building Automation & Controls (BAS/BMS, HVAC Controls) (IMAIABAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- HVAC Controls & Optimization (Smart Thermostats, VAV, Chillers/Boilers Controls) (BPABAGAB), Controls, Thermostats, Sensors & Building Automation (HVAC Controls) (IMADANAH)
Keywords
Where Smart Controls is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fairview Heights
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Smart Controls business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Hardware Product Sales: Smart Controls generates revenue through direct sales of building automation hardware including controllers, sensors, and network products via their E-Shop platform. Products range from $160 to $742.50 with free continental US shipping.
- Wholesale/B2B Sales: The company offers wholesale pricing to approved system integrators, value-added resellers, OEMs, and service providers who register and provide business tax exemption certificates for verification.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Controllers - SC100-MP |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Smart IAQ Sensors - SI Series |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Network Products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wholesale Program |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Smart Controls product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Smart Controls designs, manufactures, and sells programmable building automation controllers (multi-protocol MP series and EC/DI series), indoor air quality and temperature sensors, network infrastructure products (repeaters, routers, terminators), and VisualControl graphical programming software. The company's offering enables HVAC, lighting, and security control and monitoring across commercial, industrial, educational, medical, and military facilities using open-protocol communications (BACnet, LonTalk, MODBUS) and emerging 10BASE-T1L Single Pair Ethernet technology.
Product overview
Smart Controls is a building automation technology company offering a comprehensive portfolio of programmable controllers, sensors, graphical programming software, and network products for commercial, industrial, educational, medical, and military building automation applications. The product lineup centers on the MP-series multi-protocol controllers (SC240-MP, SC160-MP, SC100-MP) which provide native BACnet, MODBUS, and LonTalk communication, supplemented by EC-series and DI-series controllers for specialized applications. The sensor portfolio includes the SI-40 series (SI-40-N, SI-40-L) for indoor air quality monitoring and SI-20/SI-10 for temperature sensing. VisualControl provides the graphical programming environment for application development. Network products including FR-20/FR-50 repeaters, GRouter4 router, and S-TERM-F terminators enable network expansion and optimization. The company is actively developing 10BASE-T1L Single Pair Ethernet solutions in partnership with ASI Controls for next-generation building automation networking.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VisualControl™: Advanced graphical programming software for building automation control applications featuring drag/drop/connect development environment
- Smart I/O™
Products and services
- SC240-MP Multi-Protocol Controller A fully programmable multi-protocol controller providing native BACnet and LonTalk communication over RS-485 and TP/FT-10 channels simultaneously, with 24 channels of analog and digital I/O and a real-time clock. Designed for system integrators and building automation professionals deploying custom control strategies in commercial, industrial, educational, medical, and military facilities.
- SC160-MP / SC160-MP-XP Multi-Protocol Controllers Fully programmable multi-protocol controllers with native BACnet and LonTalk communication, 6 universal inputs and 10 total inputs/outputs. The XP variant adds an optional precision airflow sensor for pressure-independent VAV applications. Designed for system integrators deploying customized building automation strategies.
- SC100-MP / SC100-MP-XP Multi-Protocol Controllers Fully programmable multi-protocol controllers with native BACnet and LonTalk communication, 5 universal inputs, 5 digital outputs, and (in the XP variant) an integrated precision airflow sensor for VAV applications. Targeted at building automation professionals for customized distributed control deployments.
- Di160 Digital I/O Controller A programmable digital I/O controller with 16 channels of isolated digital I/O (8 inputs, 8 relay outputs) communicating over a LonWorks network. Targeted at integrators building automation points lists with significant discrete I/O requirements.
- Di161 Digital Input Controller A programmable controller with 16 isolated digital inputs for monitoring applications, communicating over a LonWorks free topology network. Targeted at monitoring-only automation deployments.
- Di80 Configurable Digital I/O Controller A digital I/O controller with 8 software-configurable channels that can operate as either optically isolated inputs or outputs, communicating over LonTalk TP/FT-10 network. Targeted at integrators requiring flexible per-channel configuration.
- EC-Series Programmable Controllers (EC240, EC231, EC230, EC181, EC160XP, EC160, EC120P-F-E, EC120, EC100XP, EC100, ECVAV) A family of fully programmable LonWorks-based controllers with channel counts ranging from 12 to 24 analog and digital I/O, real-time clocks, expanded memory for data logging and scheduling, optional precision airflow sensors, and DIN-rail mounting. Variants support VAV actuator integration, external SRAM, and serial interfaces for remote room sensors. Targeted at system integrators building distributed control systems across HVAC, lighting, and VAV applications.
- ST-Series Wall-Mount Terminal Unit Controllers (ST-35ER-F-JD, ST-35ER, ST-31) LonWorks-based wall-mount programmable thermostat controllers with integral displays, pushbuttons, and relays for local control of HVAC terminal units. The ST-31 is factory programmed for standard single-stage rooftop units; ST-35ER variants support custom terminal unit control. Targeted at facility operators and integrators needing local occupant control of terminal units.
- SI-40-N Indoor Air Quality Sensor A state-of-the-art remote room sensor interface providing precise monitoring of temperature, humidity, CO2, and VOC levels in commercial spaces, with analog outputs and alarm capabilities. Targeted at commercial building operators needing real-time IAQ monitoring and cost-effective air quality management.
- SI-40-L Indoor Air Quality Sensor (LonWorks) An indoor air quality sensor with high-accuracy sensing of temperature, humidity, CO2, and VOC, and LonWorks network communication capability. Targeted at commercial building integrators deploying IAQ on LonWorks networks.
- SI-20 Wall-Mount Room Sensor Interface A wall-mount room sensor interface with fully programmable LCD display for temperature and humidity sensing, designed for use with SC160 and EC160 controllers. Targeted at facility operators needing local room-level feedback.
- SI-10 Temperature Sensor Interface A temperature sensor interface with push-button controls and LCD display for temperature set-point adjustment and override functionality. Targeted at occupants and operators needing local temperature adjustment.
- ADOM Analog Dual Override Module An Analog Dual Override Module allowing manual override of analog signals with automatic/manual mode switching and precision analog voltage or current output. Targeted at technicians and integrators who need local override of controlled analog points.
- DP-1000-T Differential Airflow Sensor A high-performance differential airflow sensor measuring 0–2 inches water column pressure with proportional voltage output for HVAC and ventilation applications. Targeted at HVAC integrators needing reliable airflow measurement for VAV boxes and duct applications.
- RV-20 OEM User Interface An OEM user interface with backlit LCD screen and push buttons, programmable in Neuron C for custom applications with the EC181 Controller. Targeted at OEMs and integrators building custom occupant interfaces.
- VisualControl Graphical Programming Software An advanced graphical programming software with a drag/drop/connect development environment, featuring pre-programmed control function blocks, mathematical operators, and logic blocks for building automation application development. Downloaded by registered Smart Controls users. Targeted at system integrators and programmers needing rapid application development without writing low-level code.
- FR-20 Two-Channel Segment Repeater A two-channel segment physical layer repeater connecting FT (Free Topology) to FT LonWorks network segments, extending a network segment beyond its maximum length. Targeted at integrators extending the physical reach of LonWorks field networks.
- FR-50 Five-Channel Segment Repeater A five-channel segment physical layer repeater for connecting FT (Free Topology) to FT LonWorks network segments, with individual channel segment status indicators. Targeted at integrators deploying larger LonWorks topologies requiring multi-segment extension.
- GRouter4 IP-852 to TP/FT-10 Router An IP-852 (Ethernet/IP) to CEA-709.1 (TP/FT-10 Free-Topology) router supporting IP multicast, NAT, dynamic DNS, and bridge routing with MD5 authentication. Targeted at integrators needing to bridge IP-based management software with TP/FT-10 LonWorks field segments.
- S-TERM-F Network Terminator A network terminator for use on all Free Topology TP/FT-10 channels with single and double termination capability, UL 94-V0 rated and CE Mark compliant. Sold in boxes of 10. Targeted at integrators deploying LonWorks TP/FT-10 free-topology segments.
Quantifiable outcome
- Buildings consume approximately 40% of worldwide electricity, with significant portion wasted due to inefficient operations
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Smart Controls
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Smart Controls technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Smart Controls partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- ASI ControlsflagshipSmart Controls announced joint venture with ASI Controls to develop integrated building automation products leveraging 10BASE-T1L Single Pair Ethernet standard. The partnership combines decades of industry knowledge to deliver comprehensive solutions for building automation. At Niagara Summit 2026 and AHR Expo 2026, the companies showcased upcoming joint-developed 10BASE-T1L control solutions.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Smart Controls competitors and assessment
Company assessmentPeers
Direct peers
- Contemporary Controls: BAS-focused vendor of BACnet, MODBUS and LonWorks controllers, routers and gateways. Comparable niche competitor with overlapping multi-protocol controller SKUs and an integrator-channel go-to-market.
- KMC Controls: BACnet-native BAS controller, sensor, and valve manufacturer targeting the same mid-market integrator channel. Directly comparable in product breadth, application verticals, and pricing tier.
- Distech Controls: Mid-sized direct competitor producing BACnet/LonWorks programmable controllers, sensors, and EC-Net/ Niagara-compatible software. Targets the same system-integrator channel with similar multi-vertical applications.
- ASI Controls: BAS controller manufacturer and Smart Controls' flagship joint-venture partner. Both companies target system integrators with programmable BACnet/LonWorks controllers and now co-develop 10BASE-T1L solutions, making them directly comparable peers and ecosystem allies.
- Reliable Controls: Specialist BAS controller and sensor manufacturer with a similarly sized product portfolio and integrator-channel strategy. Direct competitor for mid-market commercial, education, and healthcare projects.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Smart Controls social profiles
Digital presenceSmart Controls financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Smart Controls leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Smart Controls funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Smart Controls M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Smart Controls
What does Smart Controls do?
Smart Controls designs, manufactures, and sells programmable building automation controllers (multi-protocol MP series and EC/DI series), indoor air quality and temperature sensors, network infrastructure products (repeaters, routers, terminators), and VisualControl graphical programming software. The company's offering enables HVAC, lighting, and security control and monitoring across commercial, industrial, educational, medical, and military facilities using open-protocol communications (BACnet, LonTalk, MODBUS) and emerging 10BASE-T1L Single Pair Ethernet technology.
Is Smart Controls a public or private company?
Smart Controls is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Smart Controls founded?
Smart Controls was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Smart Controls based?
Smart Controls is headquartered in Fairview Heights, United States, in the North America region.
How does Smart Controls make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale/B2B Sales.
Who are Smart Controls's main competitors?
Honeywell Building Technologies is listed as a peer. Direct peers are Contemporary Controls, KMC Controls, Distech Controls, ASI Controls and Reliable Controls.
Does Smart Controls have an API?
No public API is recorded for Smart Controls.
What industry is Smart Controls in?
Smart Controls's product category is Building Automation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIABAD, Building Automation & Controls (BAS/BMS, HVAC Controls), with a secondary code of BPABAGAB, HVAC Controls & Optimization (Smart Thermostats, VAV, Chillers/Boilers Controls). Its NAICS code is 334512 and its SIC code is 3822.