Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

I had the honor of rolling through the ADI skills challenge at EHX last week and had fun with all the participants. Especially noted were the guy’s over at Platinum Tool. I am one of those that believe you should know the tools of your trade. Especially “All in One” tools. I watch as integrators picked up almost 5 tools just to terminate a Cat5e! All the while they had the awesome EZ-RJPRO® HD Crimp Tool in their hand. This is an all in one that can strip, cut, trim, and terminate both RJ45 and RJ11. There is no need for any other tool. This tool is one of the most used tools in my kit actually. This company has made most of the tools in my bag so i can say from experience that they make great gear. So we decided to do a little video of the tool in action to share with our crowd! Hope you enjoy!

Control4 and Silver Spring Networks Announce Strategic Reseller Agreement

Combined solution enables utilities to bring Smart Grid to the home and execute scalable Demand Response programs Joint deployment at AEP Ohio currently underway
SUNNYVALE, CA – January 12, 2011 – Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems, today announced the signing of a strategic reselling agreement with Silver Spring Networks, a leading Smart Grid solutions provider. Together, they now offer a Home Area Network (HAN) solution interoperable with utility Smart Grid and Demand Response systems.

Control4 and Silver Spring are already providing their combined in-home technology solution for AEP Ohio’s GridSMARTâ„¢.

By offering the Control4® Energy Management System (EMS) 100, Silver Spring extends its Demand Response solution to deliver an engaging in-home experience, exchanging up-to-the minute consumption data between customer and utility and providing intelligent automation and control of smart devices throughout the house. The combined solution incorporates Silver Spring’s Advanced Metering, UtilityIQ and CustomerIQ applications with Control4® ADVANTAGE software, Control4® EC-100 Energy Controllers, and Control4® WT-100 wireless programmable thermostats, providing a comprehensive solution set for utilities of all sizes.

“As an industry we recognize the importance of winning consumer support for utility Smart Grid initiatives early in the process.” said Eric Dresselhuys, Executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer of Silver Spring Networks, “Control4′s in-home devices make Smart Grid benefits tangible to consumers, and because the Control4 solution is fully interoperable with the utility enterprise, utilities and consumers don’t have to wait to begin this important partnership.”

The interoperability of Control4 EC-100 units with Silver Spring’s Smart Energy Platform creates a robust end-to-end Smart Grid architecture. The EC-100 has access to data from Silver Springs Networks’ UtilityIQâ„¢ Demand Response management application and intelligent end-point to effectively deliver complete energy information in real time.

The EC-100 is one of the several ways that Control4 addresses energy management in the home. Control4’s energy solutions span from energy management applications in the 4Store to utility driven deployments of the EC- 100, offering consumers a variety of cost effective, energy saving options.

Richard Walker, President of Control4′s Energy business, emphasizes the strength of Control4′s relationship with Silver Spring. “We have worked with Silver Spring on testing, interoperability, regulatory initiatives, and as partner members in the Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative. At every level from engineering to outreach, they have solidly partnered with Control4 to design smart grid solutions that benefit consumers and make good business sense for utilities.”

For more information on Control4, visit www.control4.com.
For more information on Silver Spring Networks, visit www.silverspringnet.com

About Control4
Control4, a leading provider of the operating system for the smart home, delivers intelligent control of consumer electronics products, appliances and networking systems through an easy-to-use and intuitive software interface. Founded in 2003, the company delivers affordable automation and control of lighting, music, video, HVAC, security, and energy management systems to the broad market through more than 1,600 custom integrators, retail outlets, and distributors in over 70 countries. Control4 is the platform of choice for major consumer electronics companies, hotels, businesses and utilities that require an intelligent, open and affordable control solution.

About Silver Spring Networks
Silver Spring Networks is a leading Smart Grid solution provider that enables utilities to achieve operational efficiencies, reduce carbon emissions and empower their customers with new ways to monitor and manage their energy consumption. Silver Spring provides the hardware, software and services that allow utilities to deploy advanced solutions, including Smart Metering, Demand Response, Distribution Automation and Distributed Generation, over a single, unified network. Silver Spring’s Smart Energy Platform is based on open, Internet Protocol (IP) standards, allowing continuous, two-way communication between the utility and devices on the grid. Silver Spring has numerous deployments with leading utilities in the US and abroad, including Florida Power & Light, Pacific Gas & Electric, Pepco Holdings, Inc., Jemena Electricity Networks Limited and United Energy Distribution, among others. For additional information, please visit www.silverspringnetworks.com.

Press Contact
Lisa Gonzales, SutherlandGold for Control4, lisa@sutherlandgold.com, 415-848-7169
Nolan Necoechea, Blue Practice for Silver Spring, nolan@bluepractice.com, 415-381-1100

Copyright© 2010 Control4 Corporation. All rights reserved. Control4 and the Control4 logo are registered of Control4 Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other names or brands may be claimed as the property of others.

Jeff Cayce

I know it’s been a bit since my last blog, but getting my home modified for my handicap issue, and getting The SOHO Shop in my home just couldn’t coincide with each other. So I had to put The SOHO Shop on hold. After I had my modifications done, I called The SOHO Shop and set up a date to have them come back and get started back on my project.

            You already know from earlier that I had dead bolt locks installed, Panasonic cameras, and other items. They ended up waiting a little bit before coming out to the house since I ended up ordering my Sony 3D TV through them; when the TV came in they called me and came out the next day, and wow they did not mess around. Just in that one day they had my new rack built and got all the crazy wiring hooked up and working. Not only that, but they had holes cut in my walls and ceiling, installed the speakers, and had them going. I did have to wait a day to get my TV’s hung, the TV racks ended up not working on the one TV I have in my bed room because it’s a off name brand; we all know that off named brands have a attendance not to follow the rules of logic. With the new Sony TV, it’s made so light that the usual type of stand that would be used, a heavier style, was not needed and we ended up just needing a medium style TV rack. I got the TV’s hung up and I couldn’t tell you how nice they look.

Now you have to understand between installing Control4 and the modifying of my home, which was having a roll-in shower built and automatic door openers, how this all works out for me. As you remember I’m wheelchair bound and lost my legs, it’s hard for me to get in and out of bed. It takes a few seconds to make it to the door and I get a lot of deliveries made to my home for medical supplies and such. Plus I wanted the extra security, since I’m unable to defend myself from some kind of attacker or a bugler.

 Okay now that you have a bit of a reminder of my situations I can explain to you how much this Control4 system helps me out. I can now make sure that my home is secure by just a touch or click of a button. I use my cameras all the time, if I hear a noise outside I can check. I have installed 3 Panasonic cameras at certain areas that allow me to see what all is going on around my home. Another reason they are used so much, is that I keep an eye on my dogs while they are outside doing their thing. It helps me know when they are done, and with the automatic door opener I don’t even have to get up and let them in or out. After I let them in I shut the door and lock it just with a couple of buttons; one button for the door opener and one for the dead bolt. When I get a delivery from UPS or FedEx, I hear a knock at the door and I can now hit one button on my remote that also runs the Control4 system to pull up the Control4 UI (User Interface) and get to my camera picture and see who’s at my door. If I know them, then I can unlock the door still through the TV UI and also use the remote for the auto doors and let them in without getting up. That right there alone has made my life easier by so much. When I found this Control4 system I knew it going to help me out, but never in my wildest dreams would I have figured that it would exceed my expectation of helping.

            I still have a few more things to get worked on and that’s usual. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate The SOHO Shop and the courtesy of their employees. Scott, who is the salesman, has just a great attitude. Bryan and Coy, the owners of The SOHO Shop, are just a pleasure to work with and very considerate; they do whatever it takes to make sure that everything is working to your satisfaction. Tony, the hard working installer, who I can tell definitely cares about his work, takes much pride in the quality of installation he does in your home. These guys are just awesome to watch work.

            As I start using this more often I will blog about it. I am posting this on Facebook on my wall. Hit me up if you want to know more about me or my Control4 system. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have or interested in

 Thanks, Sincerely Jeff Cayce