Vantage Turns on the Innovation

In 2005, though, Vantage kicked up its commitment to the home controls business, introducing Web-enabled systems, new programming platforms, a fresh approach to RF communications, and a worldwide training program to prepare new and existing dealers for the next generation of controls.

Technology InFusion

Vantage's most ambitious technology initiative in years is InFusion, the next generation of its popular Q Control system. The InFusion Controller supports 120 hardwired control stations--more than double its predecessor--has a dramatically faster processor, six times more memory, a built-in Ethernet jack and USB port.

But it's more than a fast piece of hardware. It represents a new paradigm for Vantage, which is aiming to make its products easier to program, and better equipped for the modern Internet era.

Starting with the programming, the new InFusion Design Center is a drag-and-drop application that can slash programming time significantly. "I can do anything I want with QLink [Q Control's programming platform]," says executive vice president Richard Brady. "Now I can do anything I want in one-fourth the time."

Using the graphical interface, dealers simply drag images of lights, keypads and other devices into the appropriate room, and then program the devices by clicking on the virtual buttons. To hasten the programming, Vantage provides a variety of prewritten "tasks," such as HOUSE OFF. For that mode, a dealer simply selects all of the loads with a single click, and then manually unclicks any lights to exclude from the scene.

For the PATHWAY task, the dealer clicks on the appropriate lights, selects the brightness value for each, indicates delays and ramp times, and chooses the order in which the lights turn on and off.

To duplicate the programming for multiple keypads, simply cut and paste the keypad, and all of the programming follows.

Integrating third-party subsystems into the InFusion environment can be just as easy, with compatible products available via the click of a button. Over the years, Vantage has accumulated scores of drivers for security, A/V, thermostats, and other subsystems that communicate via IR or RS-232.

With InFusion, though, Vantage adds another communications protocol: TCP/IP. In particular, InFusion employs Web Services for Devices (WSD), an Internet protocol that allows devices on a network to discover and communicate with each other automatically. Home systems manufacturers are only just beginning to exploit this protocol, made increasingly popular by Exceptional Innovation (EI), whose Lifeware control system seamlessly interoperates with WSD-enabled devices and Internet services.

In fact, Vantage worked with EI to create the TouchPoint line of WSD-enabled touchscreens, combining home control with multimedia services, including access to four HD video streams simultaneously (see related story, this issue).

Make More, Work Less

In anticipation of the big rollout--InFusion products are expected to ship in the second quarter--Vantage has opened up six regional training facilities in the U.S. and several others worldwide. The company already has begun training key dealers on the InFusion line.

In addition to touting the new technology, Vantage is also promoting the business benefits of InFusion. "Dealers can make a lot more money by charging the same and working less, or charging less and doing more jobs," says Brady.

Bob Long, director of sales and marketing, adds that InFusion can further enhance margins because dealers need not employ a cadre of specialists to program a Vantage system. "Instead of having a few programmers that are specialists, you can have several technicians" who wear many hats, he says.

Brady and Long concede that an easier programming environment will naturally attract new dealers to Vantage, but they say business is plentiful. "Our number-one objective is to help our dealers become more effective," says Brady. "They should be able to double and triple their installations."

Vantage is helping to expand the market for lighting controls and automation through consumer marketing. The company recently completed a demo DVD featuring a virtual tour of an automated house, created by some animators from Pixar. If customers press "PANIC" on a virtual Vantage keypad, they can watch the lights flash on and off, and listen to sirens in the distance.

A variety of consumer-oriented mailers and brochures also have been created for Vantage dealers, now numbering about 1,600 worldwide.

www.vantagecontrols.com

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