RTI announced its next-generation XP control processor line with more processor power and memory and an HDMI output for an on-screen display control interface. The XP-8v offers expanded two-way driver support, double the memory to 1 GB and eight multipurpose input-output ports to support optional modules for voltage sensing and RS-232 control, RTI said Thursday. The XP-8v can bring separate systems found in advanced smart homes into a unified platform controllable by handheld remotes, wired touch panels, smartphones, tablets or a TV screen, it said

Control4 rolled out the Pakedge Certified Network Administrator program for installers Tuesday. The training program combines online coursework with hands-on training with Pakedge networking gear, covering design and installation of managed wired and wireless IP networks, said the company. The networking foundation of many homes and small businesses often is the root cause of chronic issues, owing to lack of installation knowledge rather than defective equipment, said CEO Martin Plaehn. Reliable and consistent network design is fundamental to a stable connected home, he said, but more than 30 percent of support calls to Control4 relate to network connectivity issues. The program costs $1,250, including networking equipment, with a $600 rebate upon passing the course within 60 days of registration. Instructional office hours and the online certification exam are included.

Crestron announced a software update for its Pyng system adding native support for Sonos and Amazon Alexa. The update also allows certified installers to preconfigure rooms, lighting loads and modules off-site and retrieve them from the cloud on-site, said the company. Clients can now create their own scenes and schedules for lighting and shades through interfaces other than Pyng, it said.

Crestron expanded its dealer offerings to include Sonos products, it said Wednesday. Under the collaboration, integrators can integrate Sonos' app with Crestron home automation systems and make Sonos music part of control scenes. Crestron Technology Professionals in the U.S. can buy Sonos speakers, amplifiers and network products directly from Crestron with the company’s shipping options, it said.

In an exclusive benefit for CEDIA members, Amazon is making Echo devices available for bulk orders with a 10 percent discount, the trade group emailed members Monday. The benefit, for U.S. members only, is accessible through the “My CEDIA” section on the organization’s website, it said.

A new Control4 family of power control devices in the Pakedge line enables dealers to fix problems remotely and avoid service calls, said the company in a Wednesday announcement. The Pakedge PowerPak includes power distribution units (PDUs) with surge protection for all equipment in a connected home, and when combined with the BakPak cloud management system, dealers can monitor and manage PDUs for all customers from a single interface, it said. The average Control4 smart home has 40 connected devices, said Control4 Vice President-Product Management Paul Williams.

Control4 integrated BakPak management software with Pakedge RK-1 routers, enabling integrators to offer homeowners a monitored, intelligent home network without monthly fees, said the company in a Wednesday announcement. BakPak manages the IP network and smart home devices, and delivers real-time visibility into network health so dealers can diagnose and troubleshoot issues “before problems happen,” said Control4. Dealers can minimize downtime, service calls and inconvenience to customers by monitoring their clients’ systems remotely, it said. Having remote management software available on both the Pakedge RK-1 router and NK-1 wireless controller means dealers don’t have to “justify a monthly bill to their customers” or absorb recurring monitoring fees as a cost-of-doing business to provide customer service for home networks and automation systems, said the company. That issue has dogged the home control industry as integrators have looked for ways to bring in additional revenue from monthly monitoring fees while not incurring higher costs in the process. At a Home Technology Specialists of America meeting last spring (see 1604070049), Control4 CEO Martin Plaehn told dealers a recurring revenue contract is a financial insurance policy that works for dealers only “if the income is higher than the service.” Plaehn referred at the time to the “portfolio effect.” If a dealer signs up three $5,000-per-year service customers, “I have a hard time making $15,000 a year work because the guy you’re sending out is making $65,000,” he said. The RK-1 router, preconfigured with BakPak to manage and monitor an unlimited number of connected devices, is $750, with no license or subscription fees, and existing customers with an RK-1 router can upgrade to BakPak without additional license fees, said the company. The Pakedge NK-1 wireless access-point controller ($500) also supports BakPak, and existing homes running the NK-1 can receive a BakPak firmware update without additional license fees, it said.

RTI is shipping the ZW-9 Z-Wave interface, enabling monitoring and control of Z-Wave-enabled devices via an RTI control system, said the company Wednesday. The Z-Wave addition primarily addresses the need for lighting control, allowing users to manage lighting locally and from an RTI user interface, said the company, and users also can control door locks, thermostats and other Z-Wave-enabled devices. The ZW-9, combined with RTI’s XP processor, eliminates the need for users to access a different app for each Z-Wave device they operate, it said.

Silicon Labs bowed wireless occupancy sensor ($49) and smart outlet ($119) reference designs for the home automation market, the company said in a Tuesday announcement. The designs are FCC and UL certified and include hardware, firmware and software tools based on the Silicon Labs ZigBee Golden Unit Home Automation (HA 1.2) software stack and multi-protocol Wireless Gecko SoC portfolio. The tools enable developers to move from design to final product with certified wireless technology, open-source hardware design files and software stacks based on proven test setups and manufacturing methods, said the company. The occupancy sensor’s small, battery-powered design, the size of two AAA batteries, can operate for up to five years before the battery needs to be replaced, it said. Detection range of the sensor is close to 40 feet with a 90-degree viewing window. The smart outlet reference design can be used to power and control home and building automation products. It’s powered by an AC main voltage line and communicates wirelessly to ZigBee mesh networks, it said.

Raleigh, North Carolina, home builder Shenandoah Homes partnered with Anuva Automation for TiO-branded home automation offerings in its 2017 new home lineup, Anuva said Tuesday. TiO will be included free in 75 percent of Shenandoah homes constructed next year in a standard package comprising lighting, thermostat and security control. Options include additional lighting, door locks, garage door openers and audio, said Anuva. Most buyers aren't looking to install their own smart products, but many are willing to pay for “move-in ready smart technology,” said TiO CEO Sanjay Patel, calling home automation an “increasing trend” for home buyers. At the end of last year, Shenandoah Homes had control of over 1,000 housing lots in seven communities in various stages of construction in North Carolina and plans to close on 200 homes or more in the Raleigh area next year, Anuva said.