Yogurtology Simplifies Multi-Store Management with an ELAN Control System

No matter how hard you try or how little you sleep, you can’t be in two places at once. That’s why operating multiple businesses requires handing off some control and responsibility. But what if you could literally check in on your properties from home at any time and see what is happening on site? Susan McCart, a franchisee and now part corporate owner of Yogurtology, a premium frozen yogurt store chain, found that with the ELAN control system pulling together the lighting, HVAC, audio, video, energy management, security and surveillance, she’s never more than a smartphone tap away from the pulse of her businesses.

According to Sarasota-based electronics integrator Mark van den Broek, the ELAN system made such an impression in the first store that McCart is going to install nearly identical systems in her other four franchise locations in the next two months. 

“When we talk about control systems in food establishments it’s usually focused on audio and video, and maybe security,” van den Broek said, “but together, Susan and I created a very powerful tool for her to manage her multiple locations. Once all five stores are finished, she’ll know for certain that all the lights, TVs, audio equipment and registers turn on 30 minutes before opening and turn off 30 minutes after closing. She’ll know how many people are going in and out of each store each day through intelligent software that parses the surveillance camera recordings. Best of all, she’ll be able to quickly login to each location from the ELAN g! app on her smartphone or tablet, from anywhere in the world, any time, and view live video feeds plus see the status of the lighting, A/V and climate control at each store.” 

Consolidating the utilities of multiple physical locations into a single smartphone app is a monumental shift in small business management. While individual locations obviously still require managers, franchise owners with this kind of instant access can get the truest sense ever available of what goes on in their restaurants. Beyond the owner accessibility, automation offers promises to cut maintenance and daily hassles from the staff, freeing them up to interact with consumers and enjoy their work more. By scheduling lighting, A/V and HVAC systems, the owners can closely monitor and adjust their energy usage across multiple locations. The ELAN system’s climate history feature provides a snapshot of energy use over time, which can help guide decisions and ultimately provide significant energy and cost savings.

The first Yogurtology store to receive the ELAN system features seven 42” TVs, seven speakers from SpeakerCraft and Niles, eight IP surveillance cameras, a 4TB NAS drive to keep surveillance footage, Lutron Radio Ra2 lighting, Leviton HVAC control and a commercial WiFi access point to provide consistent coverage throughout the store.

To download additional photogrpahy, click here.

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.

University of Arkansas Alumnus Creates the Ultimate Weekend Party Pad Controlled by ELAN

For a serious college sports fan, owning a 12th floor penthouse overlooking your alma mater is a dream come true. One University of Arkansas alumnus who regularly hosts university and team staff for parties has taken this idea even further by creating a Razorbacks-themed party pad where everything from the colored LED lights and window shades to the video wall and multi-room audio can be controlled right from his iPhone with the ELAN control system.

Looking around this penthouse, which used to be two separate condos, it’s clear that just about everything is custom designed. Walking through it can leave you in awe at the hallway’s tongue-and-groove hickory ceiling with backlit red glass sections, the glass floor that looks down into the wine cellar, the master suite with an open bathing area, the bathroom with chandelier lights, and of course the five-TV video wall in the living room. Add all of that to the home’s fully automated colored LED lighting, window shades, thermostats, audio in every room, and even a connected electronic door lock, and it really does seem like a home from the future.

According to Chad Moore of DeBoards, the Arkansas electronics installation company responsible for this home’s incredible systems, the future is now. “The owner of this penthouse had a grand vision, to be able to host parties in a space like no other without thinking about the logistics or fretting over how everything works. With our creative designs and the ELAN system we were able to give him everything he wanted, including a home completely free of wall switches. There is not a single light switch on the wall because all the lights including the many, many colored LED lights are controlled through the ELAN system.” 

The color red permeates through the home, paying homage to the Razorbacks and creating a distinct mood that’s perfect for parties and game day celebrations. There are LED strip lights almost anywhere they could be hidden, including under the stairs, behind decorative support beams and above and below cabinets. They can be set to any color through the ELAN g! system, allowing the owner to pump up the red for games or subdue the room in blue for a relaxing night.

“Guests at this home would be hard pressed to say they’ve seen anything else like it,” Moore added. “There’s a glass floor that looks down into the large climate-controlled wine cellar in the lower level and a wall of Razorbacks footballs autographed by the guests of each party the owner throws. There are LED lights in the ceiling, the floor and even the walls! It’s a great feeling as an integrator when the client is excited about creating a cool space and has ideas they want to flesh out.”

To add to the ambience, Moore was asked to make sure that every electronics component is hidden. There are no wires, no visible speakers and no cable boxes. All speakers and even subwoofers are in the ceiling and almost completely hidden from view, while the receivers, amplifiers and everything else are located in two equipment racks far from the living areas and completely out of sight. Using IR relays and IP communication, the ELAN g! system makes sure that every part of the house works smoothly and easily.

With 10 audio zones, four climate zones, an outdoor audio system on the balconies, and a DirecTV box for every TV, the possibilities are endless. While the owner loves using his iPhone and iPad to control the system, DeBoards also installed an ELAN touch panel in the great room (where the video wall is located) and by the front door for reliable always-on functionality. This is perfect for when the owner leaves his phone in another room and wants to close the blinds or turn on the lights. 

In addition to the ELAN equipment, this project uses Sony and Sharp TVs, Lutron lighting, Aprilaire thermostats, Integra receivers and amplifiers and Luxul wireless solutions to ensure every spot in the residence has full WiFi and connectivity to the g! system.

To download additional hi-res photos, 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.

Niles In-Wall Soundbar Turns Living Room TV Into a True Cinematic Experience

Modern flat screen TVs are incredible improvements over years past, with even some budget models providing fantastic viewing. The sound quality, however, is lacking on even the most expensive models simply because of size constraints. One Pennsylvania family has found the ultimate solution to this problem — the Niles Cynema Soundfield in-wall soundbar, which provides professional-quality audio from a nearly invisible speaker.

“The Ginter family already had their TV where they liked it, but between the lackluster audio and the four remotes needed to operate the TV, cable box, Blu-ray player and Apple TV, the viewing experience could turn into a chore,” said Keith Foltz, owner of custom installation firm Momentum Sound and Media. “Being mounted above a shallow fireplace mantle, going into the wall was the only choice for a simple, high-quality speaker solution. The Niles Cynema Soundfield provides audio quality that rivals bookshelf left, center and right speakers without the mess of wires or the space required for big boxes, and the Sunfire SDS-8 subwoofer provides all the bass the family needs to enjoy a cinematic viewing experience.”

Using adjacent cabinets and running all wires through the drywall, Foltz was able to create a premium home media center that fit not only his clients’ space constraints, but their budget as well. The award-winning Niles Cynema Soundfield passive in-wall soundbar provides crystal clear audio and is powered by a Marantz NR-1605 receiver, which also sends audio to the compact Sunfire SDS-8 eight-inch subwoofer. What’s even better is Foltz added the Sunfire SDS wireless subwoofer kit, so the only wire required for the subwoofer is the power cord, making it easy to place the sub anywhere in the room.

To tie together the new premium audio components and make this four-remote media setup easier to use, Foltz recommended the Ginters install the new ELAN g1 universal remote and control system. With this small but powerful system, the family now has instant access to all their favorite media from a single remote control, the award-winning ELAN HR2. The remote includes a 2.4-inch touchscreen to easily navigate between the cable box, Blu-ray player and Apple TV, while also providing all the normal hard buttons for common functions like changing channels and volume, play/pause and more.

Speaking of the finished product, homeowner Elizabeth Ginter said, “I’m very pleased with the installation process and the time Keith took to blend the equipment into the wall below our TV. I also like how everything works together on one remote now, and again Keith took the time and care to program everything so it’s easy to use.”

To protect all of the equipment Foltz went to the leader in power conditioning, Panamax, and installed the Panamax MR4000surge protector and power conditioner that automatically monitors incoming voltage and disconnects equipment power in case of a brownout (under voltage) or a surge of power. When all was said and done the total installation came to around $3,000 (not counting the existing TV), a small and affordable price to pay for a truly premium home entertainment system that is easy to use and keeps all the components and wires hidden!

“This was one installation that really turned into a family affair — a Core Brands family solution that provided best-in-class brand solutions to complete an amazing new system for this family,” Foltz concluded.

To tie together the new premium audio components and make this four-remote media setup easier to use, Foltz recommended the Ginters install the new ELAN g1 universal remote and control system. With this small but powerful system, the family now has instant access to all their favorite media from a single remote control, the award-winning ELAN HR2. The remote includes a 2.4-inch touchscreen to easily navigate between the cable box, Blu-ray player and Apple TV, while also providing all the normal hard buttons for common functions like changing channels and volume, play/pause and more.

Speaking of the finished product, homeowner Elizabeth Ginter said, “I’m very pleased with the installation process and the time Keith took to blend the equipment into the wall below our TV. I also like how everything works together on one remote now, and again Keith took the time and care to program everything so it’s easy to use.”

To protect all of the equipment Foltz went to the leader in power conditioning, Panamax, and installed the Panamax MR4000surge protector and power conditioner that automatically monitors incoming voltage and disconnects equipment power in case of a brownout (under voltage) or a surge of power. When all was said and done the total installation came to around $3,000 (not counting the existing TV), a small and affordable price to pay for a truly premium home entertainment system that is easy to use and keeps all the components and wires hidden!

“This was one installation that really turned into a family affair — a Core Brands family solution that provided best-in-class brand solutions to complete an amazing new system for this family,” Foltz concluded.

To tie together the new premium audio components and make this four-remote media setup easier to use, Foltz recommended the Ginters install the new ELAN g1 universal remote and control system. With this small but powerful system, the family now has instant access to all their favorite media from a single remote control, the award-winning ELAN HR2. The remote includes a 2.4-inch touchscreen to easily navigate between the cable box, Blu-ray player and Apple TV, while also providing all the normal hard buttons for common functions like changing channels and volume, play/pause and more.

Speaking of the finished product, homeowner Elizabeth Ginter said, “I’m very pleased with the installation process and the time Keith took to blend the equipment into the wall below our TV. I also like how everything works together on one remote now, and again Keith took the time and care to program everything so it’s easy to use.”

To protect all of the equipment Foltz went to the leader in power conditioning, Panamax, and installed the Panamax MR4000surge protector and power conditioner that automatically monitors incoming voltage and disconnects equipment power in case of a brownout (under voltage) or a surge of power. When all was said and done the total installation came to around $3,000 (not counting the existing TV), a small and affordable price to pay for a truly premium home entertainment system that is easy to use and keeps all the components and wires hidden!

“This was one installation that really turned into a family affair — a Core Brands family solution that provided best-in-class brand solutions to complete an amazing new system for this family,” Foltz concluded.

“This was one installation that really turned into a family affair — a Core Brands family solution that provided best-in-class brand solutions to complete an amazing new system for this family,” Foltz concluded.

To tie together the new premium audio components and make this four-remote media setup easier to use, Foltz recommended the Ginters install the new ELAN g1 universal remote and control system. With this small but powerful system, the family now has instant access to all their favorite media from a single remote control, the award-winning ELAN HR2. The remote includes a 2.4-inch touchscreen to easily navigate between the cable box, Blu-ray player and Apple TV, while also providing all the normal hard buttons for common functions like changing channels and volume, play/pause and more.

Speaking of the finished product, homeowner Elizabeth Ginter said, “I’m very pleased with the installation process and the time Keith took to blend the equipment into the wall below our TV. I also like how everything works together on one remote now, and again Keith took the time and care to program everything so it’s easy to use.”

To protect all of the equipment Foltz went to the leader in power conditioning, Panamax, and installed the Panamax MR4000surge protector and power conditioner that automatically monitors incoming voltage and disconnects equipment power in case of a brownout (under voltage) or a surge of power. When all was said and done the total installation came to around $3,000 (not counting the existing TV), a small and affordable price to pay for a truly premium home entertainment system that is easy to use and keeps all the components and wires hidden!

“This was one installation that really turned into a family affair — a Core Brands family solution that provided best-in-class brand solutions to complete an amazing new system for this family,” Foltz concluded.