Core Brands and Autonomic Controls to Serve as MVP Co-Sponsors of 2015 D-Tools Design Awards Program

Two industry-leading custom installation solutions providers, Autonomic and Core Brands, today announced that they are joining forces to support industry-wide design best practices, serving as MVP (Manufacturer Vantage Point) Co-Sponsors of the 2015 D-Tools Design Awards Program. Through the sponsorship, the winner of the “Best Overall” category will receive an ELAN entertainment and control system with ELAN gHR200 remote and an Autonomic MMS-2A streaming media solution.

The annual D-Tools Design Awards Program puts the spotlight on the best project designs and greatest success stories that demonstrate D-Tools platform proficiency and the positive effects it has had on both workflow and ROI. Winning entries will be selected from a diverse group of D-Tools users. The winners will be announced at CEDIA Expo in Dallas, Texas.

“We are proud to co-sponsor this very important design awards program with Autonomic,” said Core Brands Director of Marketing Bill Hensley. “ELAN introduced the world to IP based, entertainment centric smart home automation.  Autonomic introduced the world's first cloud-based media server, making whole-house audio more intuitive, enjoyable and sophisticated for users while creating a profitable business model for custom integrators. And now that the ELAN control platform is completely compatible with Autonomic streaming media solutions, it makes perfect sense for our two companies to join together to support the best practices objectives of the D-Tools Design Awards Program.”

Autonomic CEO Michael de Nigris added, “We’re honored to partner with Core Brands in support of the D-Tools Design Awards Program. By providing the ‘Best Overall’ winner with a Mirage Music Player and an ELAN system controller, we’re giving them the opportunity to create an expandable whole-home automation system, beginning with a staple: whole-home audio.”

The ELAN entertainment and control system is a versatile controller and OSD extender that integrates seamlessly with a variety of systems, including the Mirage Music Player. The controller is robustly configured with 3 IR outputs, 1 IR input, 1 bi-directional RS-232 input, 1 sensor, 1 HDMI output (720p/1080p) and 1 audio output.  Its built-in WiFi enables all of its functions to be IP controlled, and PoE enabled, it uses dramatically less energy than conventional controllers.

The ELAN system features integration of up to 16 zones of security; 2 door locks; media that can control 1 AVR, 32 displays and an unlimited number of ELAN zones; as well as controls for lighting (24 devices and up to 24 custom g! keypads), climate (3 stats), video (3 IP cameras), irrigation (16 groups and 256 zones) — plus the ability to add on a virtually unlimited number of ELAN and Core Brands attachments.

The Mirage Music Player MMS-2A delivers pure, reference quality high-resolution audio via a USB output as well as two independently controlled streams to support a multi-room entertainment system as large as an astonishing 96 zones when paired with Mirage Digital Amplifiers. A new generation of the world’s first cloud-based media server, the MMS-2A will store, sync, schedule, blend and stream an entire music collection along with the most popular online streaming services. The MMS-2A also delivers all of the features that have become the hallmark of the Autonomic brand, including access to the most popular streaming services (PANDORA® internet radio, Rhapsody®, TuneIn Radio, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Slacker, Napster, Deezer and Spotify), iTunes synchronization, cloud synchronization enabling access to personal music collections across multiple locations, three onboard AirPlay receivers enabling guest computer/device streaming, and Autonomic’s exclusive TuneBridge™ technology (patent pending), making iteasier than ever to listen to, discover and explore the universe of music.

An ELAN g1 entertainment and control system, ELAN gHR200 remote and Autonomic Control MMS2A media solution will be on display at both Core Brands’ booth #4128 and Autonomic’s booth #3119.

Niles Auriel Multi-Room Audio Controller Provides Homeowner With Simple First Step Toward Whole-Home Automation

Like a lot of homeowners, Robert Burghart stepped into home automation as he would into unknown waters – one toe at a time. In his previous home, he started small with a basic control system but quickly learned the limits of his choice when he couldn’t connect his Sonos system and his surveillance cameras. So when he moved in to a larger home, he knew his previous control system wouldn’t cut it. His electronics integrator, Joe Abramo of Custom Automated Solutions, told him that a six-source six-zone Niles Auriel multi-room audio controller would let him use his Sonos Connect as a streaming source so he wouldn’t have to keep the Sonos system entirely separate. When Abramo described how Auriel also would integrate the Burghart’s home theater and their NAS drive with some 900 GB of their own music—and provide an easy upgrade path to automate the whole home with an ELAN entertainment and control system—his client was sold.

“With the Niles and ELAN systems in Robert’s new home, there really are no limits,” Abramo explained. “Before automating his entire home, Robert wanted to start small, so we only installed the theater and audio controls, where Niles’ Auriel system really shines. He became acclimated to the system extremely quickly and was enthusiastic about scaling up with ELAN. We’ve already integrated his climate controls, security, surveillance cameras, TV and video, lighting, garage doors and driveway gates since the initial installation.”

Working on a time crunch, the initial audio system was just as easy to install as it is to use. “Just a week prior to the homeowner’s move-in date, we began the installation process of the Niles Auriel system,” Abramo continued. “It literally took 30 minutes to install and 5 minutes to program right from my iPad. Auriel is probably the easiest whole-home audio solution to install currently on the market. That helped get the system up and running quickly, and cut down on the man-hours and installation cost. For subsequent installations, I’m confident anyone on my staff will be able to program the Auriel system.”

ELAN was the perfect choice to integrate all of the systems, especially the audio. “We have a guest house and a racecar garage, and I can control that alarm system separately from the main home,” Burghart explained. “The best thing about the ELAN system is that everything is on one app that I can access anywhere in the world. We have it set up so the climate controls use less power when we arm the security system upon leaving the house. Then, I can turn it back to my desired level before I leave work, so it’s ready when I get there. That’s really important in the hot Arizona climate. I’ve also used the app while away to open the gate and garage doors for repairmen and even to check the cameras. I can even check in on the dog when no one is home!”

Having access to every function from a single app was a major selling point for Burghart. With his old system, he would have to use separate apps to access his sound and security systems. This became a hassle very quickly since he was using both every day. Now, everything has the same control scheme through the ELAN g! app, making the entire system incredibly simple. According to Burghart, even his 4-year-old daughter can use it.

“She really only needs it to turn on the movie Frozen, but she can do it,” he joked. “Just as all other youngsters today, she learns technology very quickly. After always wanting our phones and tablets, we ended up giving her an old iPad. Now, she loves going into the cameras and seeing herself on the screen.”

But all of this electronics wizardry isn’t what he praises most. If you ask him what the most essential aspect of his installation was, he’ll tell you it’s the human element.

“The key is having a good AV/security expert you can trust,” he said. “Joe showed me things I never knew existed, and it really opened my eyes to all the possibilities of home automation. I used to be someone who went to Costco for security cameras and Best Buy for a Sonos system, but having Joe put everything together the right way and show me how much more can be done was a home-altering moment. He was referred to me by a friend, and now he’s worked with four or five of our friends because he really knows what he’s doing and provides great service whenever we have any trouble.”

Some special additions to the system include a strobe effect on some of the lights if there is a security incident so police can quickly identify the correct house, a timer so the gate closes after a few minutes of inactivity, an event trigger so the lights automatically turn on when they disarm the security system after entering the home, and a theater favorite where the lights dim as soon as you select a source and the video starts playing.

To download additional hi-res images, click here.

Core Brands Smart Technologies Afford Wounded Veteran Independent Living in New Smart Home

A wounded soldier’s return to civilian life may be one of the hardest life transitions in the modern age. Today, the Gary Sinise Foundation, with the support of Core Brands, other technology manufacturers, and on-site contractors, unveiled the latest in a series of specially adapted custom “Smart Homes” built through the Foundation’s R.I.S.E. Program, specifically to make everyday home life as easy as possible for severely wounded vets. 

Rusty Lee Dunagan always felt he would join the Army, and after the attacks on September 11, 2001 his resolve only grew stronger. In 2006 he enlisted and was stationed in Afghanistan. On September 21, 2010, Dunagan, who was 30 at the time, was training a group of soldiers on patrol when he encountered a roadside IED, causing him to lose both legs and his left arm. Today, after more than 30 surgeries, Dunagan and his family moved into a new Edmond, Oklahoma home that will give Rusty all the independence and comfort modern technologies and design can provide.

“In July of 2012, we received an email from Rusty’s Aunt, Susan Porter, sharing Rusty’s story and his rehabilitation process,” Gary Sinise Foundation Executive Director Judith Otter explained. “After speaking with Susan, Rusty, and his wife, Angie, we knew that we wanted to help this family heal and provide them with the home that they deserve.”

The home was built with Rusty’s mobility at the forefront of the design. “As the 23rd surviving triple amputee, Rusty needed a home that allowed him maximum mobility in his wheelchair,” Otter continued. “Due to the nature of his injuries, Rusty does not use prosthetics, so this was the key component for helping Rusty regain his independence.”

The Gary Sinise Foundation relied on individual, corporate, non-profit donors, in-kind sponsors, and the local community’s support to make this project a reality. “I worked closely with the Gary Sinise Foundation and an incredibly supportive group of manufacturers, builders, designers and contractors who donated their time, their skills and their products to make this home a reality and give Rusty as much control over his home life as possible,” said Joel Berrettini of IT and Media Solutions, who installed much of the life-simplifying electronics in the Dunagan’s new home. “The main way the family experiences these technologies is through the ELAN control system that allows them to control their lighting, heating, TV, music, security and door locks from touch panels mounted throughout the home, ELAN remotes, even their iPad.”

With everything in the home custom-considered for Dunagan’s use, it looks a bit different than your average Oklahoma home. The doorways in this single-floor residence are all four feet wide and are completely flat to making moving from room to room easy. The kitchen island and some countertops are up to 10 inches lower than standard, the master bathroom has a vanity with room underneath for his wheelchair to get up close, and the wheel-in shower has a tiled bench so he can get in and out completely on his own. But according to Dunagan, even the little things take some getting used to.

“I was left-handed,” Dunagan said, “so when I was doing rehabilitation I was almost starting from scratch with my right hand. I’m a righty shooter and I used a computer mouse with my right hand, but not much else. I spent time each day in rehab writing out of a textbook just like I did in grade school, and it was really important to me. As of this January I’m working for a local Oklahoma Congressman as his military liaison, attending functions on his behalf and handling a lot of veterans affairs, which keeps me busy. It’s good to be working and helping other vets acclimate to civilian life and get their deserved medical care and benefits.” 

To minimize obstacles in the new home, builder Jim Bowers designed it with six exterior doors, four to the backyard and two to the front. Dunagan and the family can get to the backyard from the master bedroom, the great room, a hallway near the main living area, and the kids play room. All six of these doors, plus the interior garage door, have Qwikset electronic door locks that automatically lock and can be accessed through the ELAN system, and can send alerts to the owners by email or text message when a door is opened. 

Dunagan continued, “Adapting to civilian life is challenging, because you lose some of the camaraderie, structure and support the military provides, so any little thing that makes our lives easier and gives me more time to spend with the family, or not worrying about the house, is a big bonus. Plus, now that I work with the Congressman I get to be involved in a lot of military events again, so I’m thrilled to be able to contribute as a member of the community.”“The first thing I did when the Gary Sinise Foundation told me the home would have smart home tech was check it out on YouTube,” Dunagan said. “My wife and I were amazed at what modern technology can do in homes, and it was even more surprising in person. Something like electronic door locks is a huge deal, because it means I don’t have to go check each door at night to make sure the house is safe. I can just open the app, and if any doors aren’t locked, I can lock them wirelessly from anywhere.”

If Dunagan wants to see what his kids are doing while he’s at work, he can view the five-acre property on the ELAN mobile app thanks to eight outdoor surveillance cameras and an Interlogix Concord4 security system. Berrettini actually took the covers off the cameras because they were white and stood out so much, and hand painted them to match the home’s exterior brick. The final safety measure in the home is a first for the Gary Sinise Foundation – a safe room designed to withstand Oklahoma’s notorious tornadoes. Built completely from concrete and connected to the home’s generator and ELAN system, this room provides the family an escape from the elements in the most dire situations.

“We wanted to ensure that Rusty had maximum mobility and independence when he was home,” Gary Sinise Foundation Senior Construction Project Manager Scott Schaeperkoetter stated. “In order to do this, we had to properly identify each adaptation that needed to be included in the home. For example, there is a possibility of extreme weather in Oklahoma, so we had to make sure that all of the necessary safety precautions were taken and that they were all accessible to Rusty.”

Berrettini added, “Another challenge we faced was the remote location of the home. That’s why a generator was an absolute necessity, and why we chose to install satellite TV and satellite internet service for the family. This way they have the knowledge that they will always have power and always be connected, no matter what the weather or circumstances might be. There are little things like this that we take for granted, and out here in Oklahoma some extra things have to be considered.”

With three Lutron thermostats, 67 light switches and nearly 30 motorized QMotion window shades throughout the home, the family can customize their environment to be the most comfortable at any given time. Programmed schedules provide a daily balance of lighting and heating, while any room or light can be adjusted with just a few taps in the ELAN mobile app. This convenient control scheme extends to the home’s four TVs and multi-room audio system as well. Even when the family is in the backyard, Dunagan can use his iPad to play his favorite music on the outdoor audio system while he monitors the yard’s sprinkler system through the app to ensure his lawn gets enough water. 

The backyard will be a haven of sorts for Dunagan, with two ponds that will be stocked with fish and a large swath of area for his kids to grow up in the great outdoors. The five kids will inhabit three bedrooms, with the oldest in her own room, the two middle-aged boys sharing a room and the two youngest sharing a room. Everyone can use the audio and video components of the ELAN system, and it’s easy enough for even the 5-year-old to choose his movies and music.

“A big part of what we do at the Gary Sinise Foundation is raise awareness for the issues that our servicemen and women face while engaging communities to support their hometown heroes,” Otter concluded. “We were so thrilled with the incredible support from the local Edmond community and thankful that many national partners, such as Core Brands, provided key technology to help us complete this project. Rusty now has as much independence as possible in his home, which is a huge success for everyone involved.”  

To download hi-res images, click here.

Core Brands Appoints Indigo Distribution as the Exclusive UK Distributor for the ELAN and Niles Product Lines

Leading control, audio and power solutions provider Core Brands today announced the appointment of Indigo Distribution as the exclusive distributor of its award-winning ELAN® and Niles®brands in the UK. The appointment, effective immediately, is in recognition for Indigo’s outstanding contribution to the double-digit growth in Ireland of ELAN’s control and automation products as well as Niles audio products. The announcement was made by Core Brands Director of International Sales, Simon Spears. 

“Indigo, under the leadership of Matthew Booth, has generated an enormous increase in sales for both ELAN and Niles in Ireland,” Spears said today.  “Their understanding of the product lines, the needs of dealers, and the expectations of end-user residential and commercial customers make them the ideal choice to drive our long-term growth throughout the United Kingdom.  They have earned this opportunity and we are confident that our UK dealers and installers will quickly come to recognize the professionalism and commitment to excellence that has made Indigo such an outstanding success throughout Ireland.”

Based in Bangor, Northern Ireland, Indigo Distribution is a trade-only high value added provider of smart home automation, home theater, and AV solutions for both the residential and commercial markets.  The Indigo team possesses a strong background in systems design and installation and, as a result, they bring a professional perspective to every project that helps dealers and installers to sell more effectively and profitably while exceeding the expectations of all of their end-user customers.  Indigo maintains a true state-of-the-art headquarters that features a warehouse/distribution facility, interactive training center, and demonstration showroom.  What’s more, the entire headquarters is networked and controlled by an ELAN g! System.

“I am absolutely delighted to announce we have the exclusive distribution opportunity for ELAN and Niles products in the whole of the UK as well as Ireland. We are passionate about these brands and about providing incomparable customer service,” Indigo Managing Director Matthew Booth said today.  “My team at Indigo pride themselves on their advanced technical support, as well as their reputation for exceptional customer service. We truly understand the importance of top quality after-sales and technical support in this industry, as well as the importance of building strong relationships with our customers.”

The company regularly holds free training sessions for their customers including multi-level ELAN g! training and comprehensive training for the Niles Auriel Multi-Room Audio System. The comprehensive training schedule has proven hugely successful for Indigo in Ireland and the company will be expanding this training to the UK to support all Elan and Niles dealers. 

Indigo and its dealers have been responsible for a number of major commercial installations over the last couple of years, including significant ELAN installations at the Saphyre Restaurant in Belfast, the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool, the Ponderosa Bar in Londonderry, and the Kris Turnbull Design Studio in Belfast — in addition to countless residential projects that include the home and practice facility of the world’s number one ranked golfer, Rory McIlroy.

Indigo Distribution can be reached at: 

79 Dunlop Commercial Park, Balloo Link, Bangor BT19 7HJ, Northern Ireland. 

+44 (0) 2891 455 565

info@indigodistribution.co.uk