CABA Industry Toolbox

The CABA Industry Toolbox allows users to access online tools that will help them select and evaluate products and services within the home and building automation industry. The toolbox consists of Web links to the most popular, comprehensive and free tools.

• 802.11Hotspots.com
  80211hotspots.com is the leading resource for finding wireless access points around the world. Thousands of locations are listed and new sites are added daily.
  
  
• AutomatedBuildings.Com
  AutomatedBuildings.com is an online resource that provides links to the exciting and rapidly evolving industry that automates large buildings.
  
  
• Aware Home Research Initative
  The Aware Home Research Initiative (AHRI) is an interdisciplinary research endeavor at Georgia Insitute of Technology aimed at addressing the fundamental technical, design, and social challenges presented by such questions.
  
  
• Battelle's Technology Forecasts
  This site provides insight into the technological innovations that will spell success for industry and government in the future.
  
  
• Building Energy Efficiency
  Use these online tools provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Buidling Technology, State and Community Programs to determine commerical and residential energy consumption.
  
  
• Building Intelligence Quotient (BiQ)
  CABA's Building Intelligent Quotient (BIQ) is an affordable and easy to use online intelligent building ranking tool. The Web site and the subsequent certification process will increase market penetrability of intelligent building technology with building owners, operators, managers and designers by demonstrating value and providing guidance.
  
  
• CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ Certification
  CompTIA and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) have joined together to create CEA-CompTIA Digital Home Technology Integrator (DHTI+) certification. CEA-CompTIA Digital Home Technology Integrator (DHTI+) validates the knowledge and skills of home technology professionals. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification that recognizes a technician's ability to configure, integrate, maintain, troubleshoot, and comprehend the basic design concepts of electronic and digital home systems.
  
  
• CEA TechHome
  CEA TechHome is a in-depth information source for information on products that make homes safer, more comfortable and more enjoyable.
  
  
• Glossary of Abbreviations, Acronyms and Initialisms from International Centre for Facilities
  Listing of building-releated terms compiled by the International Centre for Facilities
  
  
• Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
  The Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, located on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site, translates difficult-to-understand terms related to GHG emissions into more common terms. This, in turn, can help you better communicate your GHG-reduction strategy, reduction targets and other initiatives aimed at reducing GHG emissions in easy-to-understand terms
  
  
• CNET's Home Integrator Directory
  CNET is launching a Home Integrator Directory, and we would like to invite you to be a charter participant. As a charter participant, your listing is free and includes a dedicated page on CNET's site for you to tout your experience, your expertise, and your services.
  
  
• DesignBuilder Software
  Check the performance of your building design with ease using DesignBuilder software. Developed specifically to simplify the process of building simulation, DesignBuilder is a state-of-the-art software tool that allows you to rapidly develop and compare the function and performance of your building designs.
  
  
• EnerGuide for Houses
  In Canada, you can hire the services of an EnerGuide for Houses energy advisor to find out where your home is using energy and where it is being wasted.
  
  
• Energy Savers
  The United States' Department of Energy has a Web site that offers a wide array of tips, practices, information and software tools that, when implemented, can have an immediate savings impact on energy use.
  
  
• Energy Saving Links
  Links to informative energy saving resources.
  
  
• Fiber-to-the-Home 101
  This video tutorial provides a detailed explaination about fiber-to-the-home technology.
  
  
• FutureHome Guild
  The guild provides a installer directory resource which lists home network installers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
  
  
• HomeNetHelp.com
  HomeNetHelp.com is an information resource about home computer networking and Internet connection sharing.
  
  
• Information on the Commercial Building Sector from the U.S. Department of Energy/Energy Infomation Administration
  Most of the information available from EIA about the commercial buildings population and its energy use comes from the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS). The CBECS is a national sample survey that collects energy-related building characteristics data and energy consumption and expenditures data for commercial buildings in the United States. The CBECS was first conducted in 1979; the seventh, and most recent survey, was conducted in 1999. Beginning in 1999, CBECS is conducted on a quadrennial basis.
  
  
• Infrastructure Canada Gateway to Infrastructure Research
  The Gateway is a resource for infrastructure research and for policy and decision making on infrastructure issues. The Gateway includes: information on Infrastructure Canada's research priorities and activities; direct access to key research tools, such as Statistics Canada data and reports, the National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure, and other online resources; and an extensive collection of links to some of the top infrastructure researchers and organizations and research tools and initiatives currently underway in Canada and throughout the world.
  
  
• Intel's Open-Source Computer Vision Library (PNL)
  This library is mainly aimed at real time computer vision. Some example areas would be Human-Computer Interaction (HCI); Object Identification, Segmentation and Recognition; Face Recognition; Gesture Recognition; Motion Tracking, Ego Motion, Motion Understanding; Structure From Motion (SFM); and Mobile Robotics.
  
  
• Parks Associates' Glossary of Terms
  Mastering industry acronyms can be a difficult task, so Park Associates has compiled a glossary in order to assist in understanding the meanings of various industry terms.
  
  
• RETScreen International
  The RETScreen International Clean Energy Project Analysis Software is a unique decision support tool developed with the contribution of numerous experts from government, industry, and academia. The software, provided free-of-charge, can be used world-wide to evaluate the energy production, life-cycle costs and greenhouse gas emission reductions for various types of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies (RETs). The software also includes product, cost and weather databases; and a detailed online user manual.
  
  
• Smart Grid Newsletter (SGN)
  Smart Grid Newsletter (SGN) is the insider's guide to the fast growing smart grid marketplace. SGN serves the business, financial, utility, and entrepreneurial communities. It is also widely read by researchers, policymakers, government agencies, economic development groups, and others who have a stake in the progress of the electric system.
  
  
• Webopedia
  An online dictionary and search engine for computer and Internet technology.
  
  
• WiFinder
  WiFinder enables locations, ISPs, and regular people to provide, find and use wireless networking services.
  
  
• Whole Building Design Guide
  A building professional's gateway to up-to-date information on integrated, whole building design techniques and technologies.
  
  
• VIP Systems Tour
  VIP Systems provides online tours of Automated Home UK; CompUSA Digital Living with VIP Systems Video; and Bob Villa with VIP Home Systems.
  
  
• VTECHLINK
  Provides targeted coverage of broadband, home networking, energy, interactive/web telecom sectors converging on the home electronics industry.