SPLat controls has a proud history of supplying innovative electronics solutions
to Original Equipment Manufacturers since 1981. Over that time we have developed a particular skill at
working with non-electronics companies to integrate electronic "smarts" into their products.
We see our task as contributing to our customers' success by supplying cost effective controller
solutions that make innovative use of appropriate technology. We tend not to blindly use the
"latest and greatest" because our customers need controls that work and are workable, that
do what they are meant to do with minimum technological risk and short development lead times.
History
David Gibson, founder of one of our pre-cursor companies, was one of the early pioneers of the
use of embedded microprocessors in industrial instruments and controllers. His patented nucleonic
ore flow gauge, developed in the early 70's, was perhaps the very first microprocessor based industrial
instrument to produce accurate results by performing continuous
real-time statistical analysis on (very) imperfect raw data.
Co-founder Keith Rea (
pronounced "Ray") started his electronics career at age 10,
fixing neighbors' TVs and building various infernal machines. This evolved into a talent for embedded
microprocessor applications. Keith was amongst other things the Australian Field Application Engineer for
PIC processors in the early 80's, and has several masked processor designs to his credit.
David and Keith both hold engineering degrees from Australian Universtities.
During the mid to late 80's a parnership evolved between David, Keith and Keith's wife Carla.
At that stage we were working from our respective homes, achieving things normally associated with
much larger companies, including:
- Manufacture of fire alarm electronics for Chubb Fire,
- Design of a campus-wide networked fire
alarm system for Bond University and the fire alarm
system in the National Australia Bank underground computing centre,
- Scoreboards for Australian Institute
of Sports and the 1991 South Pacific games,
- Several sports timing system designs for Omega Timing (Swatch Group), some used in Olympics.
(Interesting that two guys working out of the back room were producing timing systems for the timing industry giant!)
The partnership coalesced and the current company was founded in 1991, named at that stage Microconsultants (Aust) Pty Ltd.
It became more and more clear during the 90's
that we had a particular talent for assisting non-electronics companies harness the power of electronic "smarts"
to enhance their products. This is not only a matter of technology savvy but also of being able to communicate
with non-specialists. We are not your typical geeks!
The SPLat product
In 1995 we conceived the SPLat concept as a way of circumventing the delays and costs
associated with full-custom controller designs. At first it was intended only as an off-the shelf product range. We have since
realised that our background in custom designs is invaluable, as is our ability to communicate with non-experts. Hence the
SPLat concept has evolved into a range of off the shelf standard product backed up by
a capacity and willingness to do custom SPLat designs where appropriate. We have also developed concepts like SPice, that allow
semi-cusomization of designs a very low cost and essentially zero technical risk.
The SPLat concept has been a great success. SPLat has enabled untold small companies like
HydroCo and
ANKOM Technology to develop highly competitive new products,
because we make electronics
accessible. At the same time, major players like Carrier are using
SPLat controllers in their products because we deliver significant cost
savings. Finally, we are delighted to be working with
forward looking companies like
Coolerado who are making products that will help reverse damage to the planet through energy efficient products.
SPLat Controls is now Australia's leading maker of programmable controller products.
