Savant Unveils Products Galore, Presents Awards at Dealer Conference

Professional Services Debut

As mentioned previously, Savant also unveiled its new Professional Services division at the show. The company recently sold its stand-alone integration company in Osterville, AViX, to ACT.

Many of the CEDIA-certified engineers and technicians from that company will now form the 27-member Professional Services group, which is designed to assist dealers during the installation of ROSIE systems or any other Savant equipment.

The team is headed up by director Kevin Kicklighter and delivers a range of for-hire on or off-site support in such areas as customized applications, D-Tools diagrams, proposals, RacePoint Blueprint software or applet development, custom graphics and CAD drawings.

In addition, Savant has opened a new 3,000-squarefoot training facility featuring 12 integration labs, an advanced level training lab as well as a large traditional classroom setting in Osterville. Four-day training sessions will run constantly, according to Carroll.

NYC Design Center, Lutron, Apple

The company also announced that in October 2009 it will open a design center in Manhattan. The 6,000-square-foot location is designed into two apartments in the SoHo area.

It will feature fully automated Savant gear in a lifestyle setting that includes a home theater, media room and conference room. The best part? It's directly across the street from the Apple Store.

Dalai Kitchen Design (Miele, SubZero, etc.), Lutron, McIntosh and Steinway Lyngdorf are among the companies working with Savant on the project.

In another announcement, Carroll says that Lutron is retrofitting Savant equipment into its design centers in Irvine, Plantation, Fla., and New York City. Indeed, Savant and Lutron are establishing a close working relationship.

David Weinstein, head of Lutron's residential system division, spoke to the gathered dealers. "We have a lot in common with Savant," he says.

"Both companies are founded on innovation. And without innovation, you have commodization. Every kid in the world is living with Apple… so Savant is on to something."

Finally, what Savant conference would be complete without some messages from Apple? The company had two executives (who asked that their names not be used) at the conference and both were quick to point out that the mega-company is wholly behind Savant's efforts.

One executive unveiled a program in which Apple, working with Savant, will assist dealers in getting jobs in the hospitality and cruise markets.

One of the key selling points to the Savant/Apple-based system is that the same system can handle both in-room entertainment and digital signage. That can be a key ROI selling for a hotel.

Click here to view images from the event.