CEMLink6 New Feature Highlights

It’s that time again!!  No, not the release of the pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, it’s time for a recap and highlight of a handful of CEMLink6 features that have been introduced over the last year.  We’ve taken the entire list of enhancements and changes made to the product and narrowed the list down to the top 5 most significant.

This blog will focus on major features that were introduced between the 6.1.770 and 6.2.140 releases.  If you are not running the latest version of CEMLink6 (6.2.140.13), please reach out to our support group today so we can schedule an update.  The best way to contact us is support@vimtechnologies.com or call 1-866-484-6435 for immediate assistance.

If you wish to provide input towards future enhancements, please contact the Steering Committee at steeringcommittee@vimtechnologies.com.Read more »

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP)

The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) is moving forward on the Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) III rule that was proposed to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) on October 17, 2019. The purpose of this rule was to revise the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for compliance with the primary and secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone. RACT applies to major sources of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and/or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted statewide. This revision to the rule will provide additionally reduced emissions limits for NOx and VOCs from the previous PA RACT rules. The compliance deadline for RACT III will be January 1, 2023.Read more »

Version 6.2.140.9 of CEMLink6 Now Available

Version 6.2.140.9 of CEMLink6 is now available. Updates are available to those with an active maintenance contract.

If you would like more information, or to update your CEMLink6 system to this version, please contact VIM Support at 410-859-5455.

Just a reminder, VIM requires all DAHS server and Client computers to be running Microsoft .NET 4.8. If your server or client computers were deployed prior to September 2019 OR if you have had Windows updates deactivated, it’s likely that your systems will need to have this update installed. More information and documentation on determining your version of .NET, how to access an update, and when this needs to be completed is available here.Read more »

Are You Ready for the 2021 Alberta CEMS Code Update?

UPDATE: AEP Issues June 18, 2021 Memo
On June 18, 2021, AEP released a memorandum which states that previous authorizations to deviate from the 1998 CEMS Code apply specifically to the 1998 Code.  Affected sources should work with their approval coordinator to have any such deviation(s) authorized prior to January 1, 2022.  The installation requirements specified in the 2021 CEM Code apply to new installations, “therefore existing authorizations to deviate which are based on physical installation requirements (i.e., sampling location) may remain.”Read more »

VIM Steering Committee Announcement

First, we would like to express our deepest thanks to our two outgoing Steering Committee members,  Scott Nielson (Ash Grove) and Rockey Pollard (NIPSCO). We can’t say thank you enough for the knowledge and expertise you brought to the committee. We are grateful for your commitment and support to our CEMLink 6 community.

Second, we would like to welcome Joseph Arsenault (Ash Grove Cement), Brooks Butler (Georgia Pacific), Bill Kraft (National Grid), and Roy Srymanske (Nucor Steel) as the newest additions to the VIM Steering Committee. We are delighted to welcome such an outstanding group of new steering committee members. Each brings a unique background of expertise, each committed to helping shape the software functionality and usability of CEMLink 6 from an end user’s perspective.

Joe, Brooks, Bill, and Roy will be joining four other committee members. To view existing Steering Committee members, visit www.vimtechnologies.com/steering-committee/

The VIM Steering Committee is a multidisciplinary advisory group consisting of members from various industries that advise VIM on functional requirements associated with the CEMLink product.

CEMLink 6 Excel Add-In Released

VIM Technologies has released our latest version of the CEMLink 6 Excel Add-In – a CEMLink 6 tool designed to reduce the challenges associated with assembling and populating CEDRI reporting templates, state-specific reporting, and corporate fleet-wide data aggregation spreadsheets. This latest CEMLink 6 Excel Add-In is now available in the latest release (6.2.100), released on March 1, 2021.

Populate Excel Reports with the Click of a Mouse

The CEMLink 6 Excel Add-In will allow users to retrieve their compliance data directly, reliably, safely, and repeatedly from the CEMLink 6 server and use it to populate Excel reports with the click of a mouse. Users can manage and maintain connections to multiple servers, making it easy to run reports across an entire fleet.

Once licensed, users will be prompted to download the Excel Add-In from the DAHS server and can load the CEMLink6 plugin directly into Microsoft Excel. There are no limits on the number of workstations, users, or spreadsheets that can interface with a CEMLink6 DAS.

The first step in retrieving data is to configure and manage each of the CEMLink6 server connections. Users have the ability to collect and combine data from one or more servers across their fleet, all being tied into a single spreadsheet.

The next step involves the configuration of lists. “Lists” define the type of data that is being retrieved and contain details on the location where data is to be placed in each spreadsheet. Typically these steps are only done once, unless the reporting requirement or CEDRI template changes.

The final step entails running the report by using the “Get Data” feature and passing through a date range. With a few clicks of a mouse, it populates the Excel spreadsheet.

How to Get the CEMLink 6 Excel Add-In

To gain access to this feature in CEMLink 6, users will need to purchase a license. Complete configuration of your report(s) by VIM is also available, but not required. Please send an e-mail to support@vimtechnologies.com with the following information:

  • Desired delivery date
  • Number of DAS(s) the Excel add-in will communicate with
  • Type(s) of data needed (raw, calculated, other)
  • How are you planning to use the Excel Add-in? (provide sample files)
    • Ad-hoc query
    • Custom dashboards
    • Title V / Emission inventory / CEDRI / Other Sample Reports

Our Support Team will review your requirements and issue a proposal for the license and any configuration needed.


Want to know more about CEMLink6 Excel Add-In and CEDRI reporting requirements? Read VIM’s article in December’s World Cement Magazine

Odette Alsen Joins VIM Technologies as West Regional Sales Manager

Odette AlsenVIM Technologies is pleased to announce Odette Alsen as the new Regional Sales Manager for the West Region. Odette will provide sales and support for customers in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Odette brings over two decades of experience in business development and consulting engineering. With formal training in chemical and environmental engineering, she has spent her career in all facets of the environmental engineering field ranging from site remediation, water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, and regulatory compliance. Her most recent experience has included consulting engineering and regional sales with an emphasis on the oil and gas sector and environmental monitoring.Read more »

VIM Technologies Welcomes John David Cutts as Central Regional Manager

John David CuttsVIM Technologies is thrilled to welcome John David Cutts as Regional Sales Manager, covering the Central Region.

John David’s 20+ years of Process Industry experience will be an invaluable asset for VIM Technologies and our clients. His experience spans a wide range of industries and applications, including Up, Mid, Downstream O&G, Biogas as well as Petrochemical and Chemical for End Users, OEM’s and EPCs. Putting his Process Industry knowledge to work, John David will help clients find the right implementation of CEMLink 6 for all their data collection and reporting needs. He will also work with clients on the Compliance Optimization & Monitor Performance Accuracy Service (COMPAS) program, with auditing services, assessments, and QA/QC plans.

Read more »

Preparing for the Upcoming CEMLink6 Upgrade

Beginning with the next release of CEMLink6 (Version 6.2.100), scheduled for late February 2021, VIM will require all DAHS server and Client computers to be running Microsoft .NET 4.8. Up until this release, CEMLink6 required .NET 4.5. If your server or client computers were deployed prior to September 2019 OR if you have had Windows updates deactivated, it’s likely that your systems will need to have this update installed.

Please view documentation here for help determining the version of .NET, how to access an update, and when this needs to be completed. If you have any questions or would like to talk with someone about this further, please reach out to our support group at support@vimtechnologies.com.

VIM’s 2020 Webinar Recap

The year 2020 left companies frantically struggling to move operations online as cities and countries around the world went into lockdown due to COVID-19. Most companies faced a major challenge – to help their employees adapt to new routines and technology, and to do so remotely. Businesses had to limit employee travels, postpone, and cancel in-person training and meetings. At VIM Technologies, we recognized that our customers cannot simply push the pause button on critical workplace learning while trying to put employee safety first. To meet this challenge and support our partners, we decided to develop and host free webinars starting in April 2020.

Here is a recap of all VIM webinars conducted in 2020. If you missed any of them and would like access to any of the recordings, here’s a list of previous webinars. Select the webinar(s) you’re interested and fill out the request form.Read more »