03.18.2008 — AMX is making it easier for integrators to ease into full-blown AMX systems, and to establish new business models with predictable (also known as "cookie cutter") installations.

At EHX Spring 2008, the manufacturer of high-end control systems launched AMXhome, a "pre-packaged residential solution that provides AMX dealers with the tools they need to sell, design and install complex home automation and home theater systems," according to company literature.

AMXhome borrows from AMX's System Design Library, launched a couple of years ago to help integrators design a system, customize a proposal and generate a job estimate for various market sectors including the home.

But while SDLs make for nice marketing and design tools, AMXhome goes a step further with a complete solution that includes "software, marketing collateral, supporting documentation and training," says Scott Norder, vice president of business development.

AMXhome is a scaled-down version of AMX's complete automation offering. It allows dealers to select from a "limited set of AMX product," says Norder, and integrate with a small number of the most popular automation subsystems.

"They [integrators] can add what they want, but that kind of defeats the purpose."

The purpose is threefold: to help small and struggling dealers implement AMX systems, to take the unpredictability out of home systems integration, and to ease new dealers into the AMX family.

When an AMXhome system is designed, the program automatically configures the software drivers and generates the user interface.

While the interface is customizable, the templates (skins) are not. AMX currently offers two templates for AMXhome.

Avoiding Uncertainty in an Installation

The offering helps keep programmers and salespeople disciplined. How many companies lose their shirts on jobs that get oversold and overtweaked?

What integrators may lose in flexibility, they gain in reduced programming and operational expenses. "A job that would ordinarily take two to three weeks to program can now be done in two or three days." Norder says.

He adds that AMXhome will help attract dealers who may be "too intimidated" to tackle more complex AMX systems. "We're really building our farm team," Norder says, adding that AMX will "absolutely" bring on new dealers specifically for the AMXhome program.

New dealers must complete AMX designer and installer trainings (two days each). On the first job, an AMX representative accompanies the dealer to the site to help with system design.

"That's the training," Norder says.

More info on AMXhome

From the AMX promotional materials:

AMXhome simplifies set up and execution for faster installations, higher reliability and increased dealer profitability. With the purchase of AMXhome, AMX dealers receive:

• Marketing collateral, including an interactive touch panel demo to walk homeowners through the specific capabilities and features of four pre-defined systems.


• Complete system designs and diagrams.


• Custom NetLinx programming files that are pre-configured and modifiable by the dealer or a third-party AMX Certified Programmer.


• Personalized touch panel templates, as well as pricing templates.

According to the company, the one-time dealer cost of AMXhome is $6,500 and it includes licenses for all of the elements that comprise AMXhome and one day of on-site training.

Massachusetts-based Elite Media Solutions has become the first dealer to be set up with the pre-packaged product.