Following up on its introduction at CEDIA 2012, ELAN Home Systems has begun delivering its new ELAN g! 6.0 software featuring a host of new system-wide enhancements.
Enhancements include an ELAN g!Mobile app for Android devices, up to 24 music services, full door locks integration, additional driver and a new user interface architecture that allows for the easy addition of new features, user interface enhancements, and integration with future platforms.
According to ELAN senior vice president of marketing Paul Starkey, the delivery of the new 6.0 software, and its four new critically important feature sets, comes at a time when the ELAN g! System is gaining sales traction in both residential and commercial market segments.
“Sales have absolutely reached a critical mass that will only continue to gain momentum as we move forward with our long-term product enhancements. In fact, sales of g! have now surpassed 10,000 systems,” Starkey said. “More and more dealers are recognizing that ELAN g! is the best integrated entertainment and control system on the market today. It’s the easiest system to demonstrate, install, enjoy and maintain in any type of residential and commercial application.”
Starkey emphasized that dealers who sell the ELAN g! System are enjoying the business benefits of the classic 80/20 rule. “ELAN g! dealers are generating 20 percent higher margins while investing 20 percent less labor, and see 80 percent less callbacks and 80 percent fewer competing dealers bidding on key projects. It’s the ultimate ‘win-win’ for everyone — particularly for the consumer who can invest gradually in a g! system, expanding its capabilities quickly and easily over time.”
With regard to the specific features introduced, CORE brands director of the Control Segment Joe Lautner added that, “We are taking the g! System to new heights by introducing ELAN’s Android app, which adds to our Apple iOS app to offer users full mobile control from nearly every smartphone and tablet available today. With a user interface that is second to none, hardware components that feature attractive industrial design and premium build materials, and the power and expandability of our HC Home Controllers, the g! System is the most scalable and capable control system in its class.”
Lautner noted that ELAN built its new ELAN g!Mobile Android app from the ground up because dedicated apps coded for each device are very labor and time intensive to upgrade for each device, and browser-based apps are often slow to respond and offer less graphically rich features. ELAN has created an entirely new User Interface App Architecture that makes it easier to upgrade the GUI on every device with a single update instead of writing new code for each device.
Enhancing the security/access functions of the g! System, ELAN also introduced comprehensive door locks integration. Once a certified ELAN dealer sets up the system, end-users have the ability to easily control locks from home and while away, create convenient lock groups, and set their own user pass codes. This way g! owners can manage the door locks and security for their entire home or business without consulting a technician to make changes.
ELAN g! also provides owners with a detailed history of the door locks that includes time of entry, door location, and whose pass code was used. The easy-to-use door locks interface shows up under the security tab right alongside the standard security features, so it is simple to view and access. Owners can set unique pass codes for each user, and even set new/temporary pass codes for a maid, repairman, or visiting relative.
Finally, ELAN has added more than 30 new third-party, two way drivers, expanding the system’s support for new products in HDMI video switching, security cameras, climate systems, lighting, audio receivers and sources, security and connectivity devices. With these new drivers dealers can now integrate many of the latest products from brands such as 2 Gig, Atlona, Axis, Baldwin, Denon, Geffen, Honeywell, Panasonic, Panamax/Furman, Pioneer, KwikSet, Rako Snap AV, Trane, Vantage, Vivotek, Xantech, Yale, Yamaha and more.
