Touching Base in Orlando at EHX

March 23, 2009

multipage

Control4, said CTO Eric Smith, talked up the kickoff of the company’s fifth annual In Control dealer road tour, which began with Orlando and is heading out to 16 cities through mid-August. “The idea is to help our current dealers become more efficient. We’re giving them accounting, marketing and branding best-practice information now, along with tech tips and tricks – along with face time.” The company, well known for forging high-profile partnerships, will soon announce more. “They will be with companies that run the gamut – involved in everything that touches the home,” said Smith.

Tributaries’ focus was on its T100 and T200 power management products, which are designed with convenience outlets on their fronts, said the company’s Joey Perfito. He added that the company is looking to broaden its presence in that category within the next year.

Next Generation Home Products president Bob Dolatowski was on hand to make his case with integrators for the company’s Remote Control Extender, which easily converts any remote into an RF remote. “The product is a problem-solver for finished systems where you need to control a last-minute add-on product,” said Dolatowski, who said the product has already caught on with the DIY market because of its affordability and easy setup.  The company also sells HDMI cables, adapters, EQ extenders and wall plates, and is planning shortly to add RF repeaters to its lineup.

At Lutron, the Radio RA-SR (single-room) solution was highlighted.  Spokesperson Melissa Andresko said SR offers a way for dealers into lighting control starting at a reasonable price point ($850 for the base system).  It also provides the flexibility of simple integration with programmable remotes. “It’s an ideal solution for companies looking into selling lighting control, and then looking to move to the categories that follow from that, such as window shading,” she said. Lutron also showcased its Sivoia QS wireless skylight shade, which uses a low-voltage, quiet motor and is designed for simplified installation.