Automation and control is nothing new in pro AV. But when Control4, the Utah-based devoted to making IP-based control and entertainment more affordable in the residential AV market, launched Control4 Commercial Systems this week, people paid attention.
What does Control4's foray into the pro market mean for tech managers? First, it means that there are now more options for your automating your facility in piecemeal deployments or new builds. Second potential impact: that satellite student union that you are so excited about breaking ground on this summer....want wireless automation and control solutions that the University budget will allow? There are now a few more options from which to choose.
- Other checklist items: mesh style open standards platform for project scalability....check. Ease of use for end users...check. Boardrooms, FBI (food and beverage industry), hotels, green buildings.....all check. Control4 controllers, touch screens, lighting, software, mobile applications, and energy management solutions are all rolling out this summer.
"Bringing Control4 solutions to the Pro AV market is a natural move for us," said Jim Gist, Vice President of Control4 Commercial Systems in a press statement. "Our dealers have successfully implemented existing Control4 solutions into commercial projects, and we have a thriving business in the hospitality market. With Control4 Commercial Systems, we are bringing a dedicated team and product line to support commercially-focused projects."
More commercial history to explore: Control4 delivers "door-to-drapes" automation for guests and centralized room control for management in over 4,000 rooms at ARIA Resort & Casino, and over 400 rooms in the Mandarin Oriental at CityCenter, Las Vegas. CityCenter, Las Vegas is currently the largest IP control system in the world.
"As a long-time Control4 dealer, we have recently entered the Pro AV market with a contract at the Potomac Yards Renaissance Hotel & Residence Inn, a 700,000 square foot hospitality property to be fully outfitted with a Control4® system in all of the public spaces," said Jonathan Stovall, Partner at AV integration firm Bethesda Systems.
Control4 says that with over one million ZigBee devices shipped, they bring a heritage in standards-based ZigBee wireless technology to the commercial market. ZigBee-based Control4 Commercial Systems solutions can help reduce costs in both materials and labor in new buildings and provide flexible solutions for retrofit projects. In addition, Control4 Commercial Systems products will enable green buildings to better manage energy usage, and can provide points for USGBC LEED certification through automated control of AV electronics, lighting, thermostats, and motorized shades integrated with occupancy and motion sensors.
For more information visit www.control4.com.
