There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire
everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending
his money somewhere else."
--Sam Walton
American businessman and entrepreneur
| CABA SmartBrief |
| July 23, 2009 |
CANASA appoints
new Executive Director
The
Canadian Security Association (CANASA) announced that it has appointed Mr. Jean-Francois
Champagne as its new Executive Director. Prior to joining CANASA, Champagne
has been part of the electronic security industry for more than 15 years most
of which were working for security product manufacturers. CANASA
(7/21)
Tridium's
smart home technology featured by U.S. Department of Energy
Tridium’s
Smart Home Technology is being showcased in the U.S. Department of Energy’s
Living Zero Home Tour. The DOE’s Living Zero Home Tour is traveling across
the country to show useful and affordable ways people can save energy, reduce
their utility bills and to demonstrate the benefits of using energy efficient
products and technologies to live more comfortably, use less energy and contribute
to a eco-friendly environment. Tridium
(7/8)
CEA
forecasts CE revenue will fall nearly 8% in 2009
The
Consumer Electronics Association last week forecast that U.S. revenue from consumer-electronics
shipments would drop 7.7% this year, to $165 billion. Part of the drop, according
to the association's Steve Koenig, director of industry analysis, is due to
the maturation of some categories, such as video game consoles, MP3 players
and digital cameras. Dealerscope (7/20)
Market
for IP multimedia phones set to take off
The
IP multimedia phone may turn into the "fourth screen" in Americans'
homes, according to market researcher In-Stat, based on consumers' increasing
need for visual communications. Multimedia phones are expected to bring in as
much as $8 billion in annual revenue by 2013, In-Stat said, with the increase
in the number of homes with broadband access helping to drive the sales. ElectronicHouse.com
(7/16)
Blu-ray
disc sales, rentals skyrocket
Sales
of Blu-ray discs jumped 91%, to $407 million, in the first half of 2009 even
as consumers' home-entertainment spending fell. Digital Entertainment Group
said revenue from Blu-ray rentals also increased, by 62%. PC
World (7/16)
PlayStation
Network reaches the 500-million mark
The
PlayStation Network has reached the 500-million mark for pieces of digital content,
such as movies and TV shows, that have been delivered to PlayStation 3 and PSP
devices. According to this report, the distribution mark is an important one
for Hollywood studios, which have been slow to reap the financial rewards of
digital downloads. The New York Times/GigaOm
(7/19)
U-SNAP
Alliance releases first specification for home to grid product developers
U-SNAP
Alliance, formed by a group of utility industry leaders to create a low cost
connector standard to enable consumer products to communicate with any vendor's
smart meter, released its first specification for product developers. The Utility
Smart Access Port (U-SNAP) Bus Specification provides manufacturers with guidelines
on how to create U-SNAP compliant interfaces to accommodate radios for several
popular wireless standards including ZigBee, Z-Wave, Wi-FI, FM, and FlexNet.
Utility Products (7/21)
Crestron introduces
Prodigy Home Control
Prodigy
is a simple to install, easy to use, and exceptionally affordable solution that
does not require any special wiring, programming or expensive custom installation.
Prodigy home automation solutions include home theater, audio distribution,
lighting and climate control. CEPro (7/21)
Security
experts at home: no downtime
There's
no rest for computer security professionals, assuming they have one or more
computers at home. TechNewsWorld polled some experts in the field to find out
how they safeguard their personal systems, and we were surprised at the wide
range of responses. Some experts really batten down the hatches, while others
rely more on common sense than on security software. TechNewsWorld
(7/22)
Companies
chase the promise of high-tech homes
Hewlett-Packard
Co., Microsoft Corp. and Apple Inc., among others, are selling systems to centrally
store and manage digital media in the home. Other start-ups are also vying to
supply software to monitor and manage such technology, which could be a $5 billion
a year market by 2011, according to research firm Parks Associates. Wall
Street Journal (7/22)
British
Gas announces new money saving technology
British
Gas has just announced it has signed a brand new agreement with AlertMe.com
to trial a new type of technology to help households around the UK cut their
gas and electricity consumption. The AlertMe.com system allows an energy kit
to be fitted in a home and then connected to the internet. From there the household
will have its energy usage monitored by AlertMe.com. Electric.co.uk
(7/22)
Smart meters cracking
into U.S. homes
The
number of smart electricity meters with two-way communications is poised to
mushroom in the next two years, according to a study. Research company Park
Associates this week released figures for smart-meter installations in the U.S.,
saying that there are 8 million units installed, or about 6 percent of all meters.
As utilities upgrade equipment as part of smart-grid trials, the number of smart
meters is forecast to grow to 13.6 million installed next year and to over 33
million in 2011.
CNet (7/17)
New
research released on home automation industry
Research
and Markets has announced the addition of the "Home Automation Solutions
and Business Issues 2009" report by Mind Commerce LLC to its offerings.
The report provides updated information about home automation technologies,
standards, organizations, designers and installers. The report also provides
an updated vision for the home automation market, including an overview of current
business models, global SWOT Analysis for the industry including real-world
examples. The report also includes a market segmentation study that contains
factors that shape the home automation industry.
Research and Markets (7/22)
New environmental
targets for commercial buildings in B.C.
Close
to 17,000 commercial buildings in British Columbia could soon be energy efficient
thanks to a recently signed agreement between the Ministry of Energy, Mines
and Petroleum Resources, BC Hydro and the Building Owners and Managers Association
of BC (BOMA).
Tumbler Ridge News
(7/22)
Cisco
to transform energy demand and use with smart buildings
Building
on its smart grid initiative announced in May, Cisco Systems has unveiled its
Smart Connected Buildings solution, at the Cisco Live event in San Francisco,
as a key component for delivering its vision for smart and connected communities.
Environmental Leader (7/3)
U.S. Green Building
Council's new headquarters earns LEED Platinum
The
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is proud to announce the Platinum certification
of its new Washington, D.C. headquarters – making it the first project
to certify under the latest version of the LEED green building rating system.
Building Design and Construction (7/20)
HVAC
system helps provide cell phone reception
The
nation's largest convention center, Chicago's McCormick Place, needed a wireless
service boost, and the HVAC system helped provide it. ExteNet Systems installed
a proprietary wireless-over-HVAC system in McCormick Place that uses HVAC metal
ductwork to distribute signals and create a new indoor wireless network.
cse live
(7/9)
Green
makeovers all the rage in an ugly market
A
report by Pike Research, a market research firm based in Colorado, predicts
the retrofit market will experience strong growth through 2013 and beyond.
Globe & Mail
(7/21)
PA
state buildings upgrade, achieve savings
Pennsylvania’s
Department of General Services (DGS) has completed a project with Siemens Building
Technologies to reduce energy consumption at the state government’s Health
& Welfare and Labor & Industry buildings. The structures, each 50 years
old, are located in Harrisburg, Pa., the state’s capital.
GovPro Media
(7/21)
HVAC manufacturers
fighting new CSA standard on harmonics
The
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) is concerned
about the proposed adoption by the Canadian Standards Association of the IEC
61000-3-12 Standard. The association, representing equipment manufacturers,
has joined a coalition of 14 similar organizations, including the Canadian Institute
of Plumbing and Heating, who were to be sending a letter of concern to CSA regarding
the standard.
Canadian Consulting Engineer
(7/2)
U.S.
announces $57 million in funding for smart grid initiatives
U.S.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu on Monday announced $57 million from the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for smart grid initiatives. The funding
will be split with $47 million going to eight smart grid projects across seven
states and $10.5 million for local governments to develop emergency preparedness
plans.
Energy Efficiency News
(7/22)
Cisco,
Intel help power up smart grids
A
broad group of companies including giants Cisco Systems and Intel Corp. are
working with utilities to draft proposals competing for $3.9 billion in grants
recently announced by the Department of Energy. In addition, Cisco is actively
engaged in discussions on defining new variations of Internet Protocol standards
to serve electric utilities.
EE Times
(7/21)
DOE,
China to research greener buildings, vehicles, energy
Energy
Secretary Steve Chu is putting U.S.-Chinese cooperation into energy and efficiency
research on the front burner this week with partnerships aimed at breaking ground
in energy-efficient buildings, green vehicles and cleaner energy generation.
IBM and Duke Energy are among the companies looking to China for new energy-related
projects.
Green Tech Enterprise
(6/16)
MatrikonOPC
passes another Milestone in OPC Server Functionality
MatrikonOPC™
is proud to deliver on their commitment for higher levels of OPC Server functionality
with the release of the newest version of their OPC Server Framework. Used in
all of their OPC Servers, the newest version of the MatrikonOPC Server Framework
includes advanced calculation and security options.
Other Items
Global
Caché Signs VidaBox as Value Added Reseller
FieldServer Technologies Join Crestron Integrated Partners Program
Distech Controls Wireless Battery-less Solution for Open Building Automation
Systems
Distech Controls EC-Net Web-based Multi-Protocol Building Automation Solution
for LONWORKS® and BACnet®
Understanding
Cost-Effectiveness of Energy Efficiency Programs: Best Practices, Technical
Methods, and Emerging Issues for Policy-Makers
This
report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency examines how to measure
the effectiveness of energy efficiency programs. A combination of the following
measurements are recommended: the participant cost test (PCT), the utility/program
administrator cost test (PACT), the ratepayer impact measure test (RIM), the
total resource cost test (TRC), and the societal cost test (SCT). Additional
benefits include greenhouse gas reductions and a portfolio of renewables. Methods
and examples for applying these measures are presented. Read
the full report as published in CABA's Research Library.
Webcast: Building
Controls and Energy: An Integrated Approach to Cost Savings
AutomatedLogic
Corporation and Tridium, both CABA members, are sponsoring a webcast by Building
Operating Management magazine, focused on building contols and energy. In this
75-minute webcast, you'll learn the keys to energy cost savings by taking an
integrated approach to a building automation system's design. The webcast is
scheduled for July 30 at 1 pm ET. Register free of
charge today!
Webcast:
Construction Industry Market Insights
On
July 23 at 2 pm ET, join expert economists Jim Haughey, Ken Simonson and Kermit
Baker for “Turning Points in Construction,” a complimentary, 90 minute Webcast
focused on the key factors affecting the recovery of the construction industry.
The Webcast is produced by Reed Construction Data in association with the American
Institute of Architects. Register
now!
CABA
announces agenda for Office of the Future Consortium meeting
The
Office of the Future Consortium is a group of progressive utilities (Southern
California Edison, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Pacific Gas &
Electric Company, Seattle City Light, Sempra Utilities, National Grid, B.C.
Hydro, NSTAR and Consolidated Edison) developing fully-integrated energy efficiency
solutions for existing buildings. Leverage the power of some of North America's
largest electric utilities by participating in research and development focused
on the next generation of utility incentive programs. A face-to-face one day
product manufacturers meeting has been scheduled for July 30 in Chicago, IL.
Invited industry sectors include: lighting product manufacturers, HVAC equipment
manufacturers, furniture manufacturers, plug load device manufacturers, console
and metering manufacturers, interior designers, developers/owners, GSA and USGBC.
For more meeting details please contact Don O'Connor at oconnor@caba.org
or 613.686.1814 ext 226 or Alex Detre at detre@caba.org, 613.686.1814 ext 228.
Agenda announced
for Connected Home Research Council Family Ecosystem Forum
The
Connected Home Research Council has announced its agenda for its Family Ecosystem
Forum, to be held September 9. Hosted by Whirlpool Corporation in Atlanta, this
event will bring together leading companies, including Microsoft, Direct Energy,
Cisco Systems, CBS Vision, and P&G to examine the integration of consumer
electronics and other cutting-edge technology throughout the home. Discussions
will surround smart home technology, energy conservation, consumer technology
convergence, and existing connected home technology and connectivity solutions
that enhance quality of life. The Forum will also include a panel discussion
on real world lessons in "aging in place" products and services. Please register today.
CABA
now posting news on Twitter
CABA
has launched a profile on Twitter (www.twitter.com/caba_news)
to keep members and industry stakeholders informed on the latest news and developments
in both the home and building automation marketplaces.
|
--Sam Walton |