First Integrators Complete Media Center, Lifeware Training

Several established manufacturers have created plug-ins to enable control of their hardware through Microsoft's Media Center Edition (MCE). HAI, Honeywell and Lutron are among the first. Then there are software vendors, such as Homeseer and Embedded Automation, that have written automation software specifically for the MCE platform. Finally, a slew of other providers have brought various MCE- friendly components to the table, such as universal remotes and PDA interfaces.

But only one company, Exceptional Innovation (EI) of Westerville, Ohio, has created a complete home-control solution for MCE. That solution includes home- control software with Web service bridges to most of the major subsystems; hardware, but only when current solutions don't fit the bill; and an extensive business plan that includes dealer recruitment and training, consumer and builder marketing, 24-hour technical support, and an unusually close relationship with Microsoft and other vendors involved in MCE-related product development.

As EI sees it, the company had no other choice than to take the MCE program all the way. "Early on, we selected Media Center Edition as an ideal platform for our home entertainment and control solution," says vice president of marketing Mike Seamons. "But even though we have been working with Microsoft and with MCE for many years, we realize it represents a new paradigm for professional integrators. As such, we felt we had to have a complete package in place -- not just software, but recommendations for third-party hardware, our own hardware where there's a need, training on the Media Center platform, and a complete business plan for integrators that includes a recurring-revenue program for customer support and system enhancements."

All of these elements were laid out in May and June for about 30 integrators who enrolled in EI's Early Adopter Program. In the three days of training at EI's 25,000-square-foot-facility, dealers spent one full day studying the capabilities (and quirks) of Media Center, one full day installing and configuring EI's Lifeware integration software, and one day discovering the business opportunities associated with Media Center and Lifeware.

Some dealers left the training ready to sell systems. Before Rob Runde left for EI training, his company, RJR Smart Home of Tega Cay, S.C., was selected as the integrator for a 1,500-home community in Charlotte, N.C. After the visit to Westerville, Runde said, "We plan to put Media Centers in every home. ... We'll definitely use Lifeware."

Beyond that, everything is up in the air. Runde has not selected MCE hardware for the installations, although he's considering having units built by an independent system builder. For lighting, he expects to use Vantage or Lutron; for HVAC, Aprilaire. EI has drivers for all three. RJR is teaming with ADT for security, so Runde expects to be integrating with Honeywell (Ademco) panels.

"I went into training hoping I could use [Lifeware]," says Runde. "I think, when you look at the whole ball of wax, the way the Lifeware interfaces so well with all of the hardware, plus the other features [of Media Center] and the prices, this is the way to go."

There were other integrators who expressed definite interest in Media Center and Lifeware, but plan to take a cautious approach to the platform. "We will absolutely mock up all of the parts and test the heck out of it," says Bryn Morrison, technical director for Home Technologies, Lifeware Inc., Bellevue, Wash.

Morrison is a fan of Crestron, the company's staple system for high-end installations, but he appreciates the allure of MCE.

After learning about the various software plug-ins for MCE during EI training, Morrison checked out the roster of (free) compatible applications, such as news feeds, Outlook for MCE, traffic and weather reports, Caller ID, sleep timers, and eBay auction facilities. "There is a hook for an improved feature set, which makes the system less static," says Morrison, adding that Home Technologies could easily create or modify on its own, through C# (C-Sharp) programming. "We don't have any C# programmers now," he explains, "but we wouldn't have trouble finding them."

On the other hand, it's considerably more complicated to hire or train Crestron programmers, explains Morrison. But Home Technologies has no intention of giving up the robustness and reliability of that platform. Instead, Morrison envisions an ideal scenario in which MCE, Lifeware and Crestron all work together.