By Robert Ridenour, ELAN Home Systems.
It used to be that the dream of owning a centrally-controlled home - a home where audio, video, lighting, security, heating and more can be accessed from a single wall-mounted touchpad or mobile device - was a reality reserved for only the highest-end multi-million-dollar homes. Hard wiring, custom software programming, ongoing maintenance, and up-front system costs all guaranteed that no one but the wealthiest of homeowners could even consider the idea. But now that dream is well within the reach of just about anyone.
[caption id="attachment_4161" align="aligncenter" width="400"]
Having home control from a single wall-mounted touchpad or mobile device is now within the reach of the many.[/caption]
A System for Everyone
A whole new generation of IP-based wireless home control systems that can be controlled and managed by a variety of touchpads, remote controllers, on-screen displays such as the television, and mobile devices, are making their way to market. Some are as affordable as US$2000 to start, and their availability is beginning to forever change the dynamic of home building and home buying - in some cases dramatically.
Coinciding with the availability of more affordable technology is the fact that the children of the first Internet generation are now entering the housing market and, as in every aspect of their always-on lives, they expect their homes to be able to respond quickly and fluently to their changing needs.
The ELAN g! system is manufactured and marketed by Core Brands' ELAN Home Systems. Designed to be modular and hence affordable, ELAN g! offers a full range of solutions to fit any lifestyle and budget, ranging from music distribution and lighting control to advanced energy management and security integration. It requires zero custom programming, and with available iPhone, iPad and PC control, it makes home automation as easy as checking your email.
[caption id="attachment_4164" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
The ELAN g! Series IP-based home control system can use the iPhone to control every household function, and is being pre-wired into new builds, allowing the consumer to decide which functions and which components they want to install in their home.[/caption]
ELAN g! System Components
The ELAN g! family of hardware components includes several user interfaces, a line of system controllers, multiroom audio/video controllers, audio amplifiers, and lighting dimmers and keypads. The ELAN g! software makes installation and programming easier than ever, is easy for the manufacturer to update, and provides the most consistent GUI across all interfaces including ELAN touchpanels and iOS and Android mobile devices.
[caption id="attachment_4166" align="aligncenter" width="469"]
The ELAN graphical user interface is consistent across all devices.[/caption]
Every ELAN system comprises, at minimum, an HC System Controller and a user interface. Available in four models, the HC System Controller allows the g! system to integrate 4, 6, 8 or 12 subsystems. Interfaces include wall-mounted ELAN touchpanels, smartphones and tablets with the free ELAN g!Mobile app, PC and Mac computers, or an ELAN HR2 remote control. From there the sky is the limit, with the ability to add amplifiers, multiroom AV controllers, lighting dimmers, third-party peripherals such as surveillance cameras and electronic door locks, and additional user interfaces. The g! system can integrate every major subsystem in a home, including audio, video, security, surveillance, HVAC, lighting, motorised window shades, pool/spa controls, irrigation, garage doors, electronic door locks, and in-home intercoms.
[caption id="attachment_4162" align="aligncenter" width="458"]
The ELAN HC12, HC8, HC6 and HC4 system controllers.[/caption]
Installation
ELAN g! is a hard-wired control system that is ready for new construction or retrofit installations, and communicates through Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks. Controlling the system is easy with the wide variety of user interfaces that include hard-wired solutions and mobile devices that use Wi-Fi and IR signals to send commands and receive system feedback and metadata.
ELAN maintains and regularly adds to a vast driver library that allows integrators to connect thousands of the best third-party components for every subsystem. ELAN g! is compatible with many of the top lighting, security, HVAC, irrigation and pool/spa systems available today, with new drivers constantly in development. This makes it easy for integrators to add components and expand the system after initial installation, which is common since some users like to get used to the system before integrating additional subsystems.
[caption id="attachment_4160" align="aligncenter" width="279"]
ELAN g! is a hard-wired control system that is ready for new construction or retrofit installations.[/caption]
Control
ELAN was the first home control company to have a mobile app, well before the iPhone was introduced in 2007, and today our ELAN g!Mobile app is perhaps the easiest to use of all home automation manufacturers. The reason is that the app looks and functions exactly the same on an iPhone as it does on a Samsung tablet or an ELAN in-wall touchpanel. No matter what interface device is used, ELAN g! is always the same and is always easy to use. For controlling TVs and music, we recommend our HR2 remote that provide always-on, instant control for common functions such as volume and channel selection.
[caption id="attachment_4165" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
The ELAN g!Mobile app and the HR2 remote.[/caption]
Maintenance
One of the most useful features of ELAN g!, both for integrators and homeowners, is the ability of integrators to log in to the system remotely and troubleshoot any issues. With the correct permissions, they can have access to their client's system from their mobile devices, enabling quick fixes to minor problems without the need to roll a truck to the home. This saves everyone time, money and frustration, and adds to the peace of mind that the system provides. Additionally, ELAN is committed to developing enhancements and improvements across its entire product line, from the touchpanels and mobile app to the system controllers and multiroom AV controllers.
Conclusion
With more and more home appliances and systems becoming Internet-ready, such as learning thermostats and connected refrigerators, it is only a matter of when, not if, our homes become completely connected. Knowing this, ELAN is constantly updating the g! system to offer users the latest media services and ensure compatibility with the widest range of components such as AV receivers, door locks and motorised window shades. These consistent updates, combined with a simple and consistent control interface, give users the assurance that their home will continue to be state-of-the-art and provide them with years of simple, comfortable home living.
Robert Ridenour is the ELAN Home Systems Brand Manager for Core Brands. Core Brands delights clients with innovative products that improve their daily lives.
www.CoreBrands.com