European Custom Installer

Installers wanting to become a certified KNX partner get the chance to do exactly that with CEDIA, as the association announces the dates for the next CEDIA KNX Basic Training course.

The 5-day course looks into all aspects and principles of the KNX protocol, and also includes a one-day Residential Networking course. It covers several in-depth topics, providing essential information for aspiring KNX partners, and concludes with an examination to test the knowledge gained. If a candidate passes, they automatically qualify as KNX Partner.

Nortek Security & Control uses the ISC West 2019 show to launch the 2GIG eSeries-- a security and control ecosystem complete with the GC2e and GC3e panels and a line of encrypted panels.

“This is a major update to the line, designed to benefit both dealers and their homeowner customers,” the company says. “For homeowners, the new encrypted sensors enhance peace of mind, knowing their system is even more secure and resistant to hacks and breaches. The new panels deliver an upgraded user experience, including a contemporary new design that will look at home in any setting."

Gary Kayye's exclusive article "InFocus Is Getting Out of the Projector and Display Business (Updated)" tells the story in a headline.

No one expected this from InFocus, the pioneer manufacturer of computer projectors. As recently as ISE 2019, the company was still launching new LED and laser projector lines, plus new models for business and education—and even re-introducing their ScreenPlay projector line for the residential market.

Now not only is InFocus getting out of the projection and display business but according to Kayye they’ve already begun laying off a majority of their 128 global employees (68 waiting to see if they get “pink slips” are based in the Portland metro area in Oregon, USA).

The European smart home market reaches nearly 33 million units in Q4 2018, IDC reports-- an increase of 15% Y-o-Y. Meanwhile full year 2018 shipments are up by 23% over 2017 to 88.8m, the highest volume yet.

"Last year, fierce competition between Amazon and Google reached a peak over the Black Friday and Christmas periods, with heavy sales promotions from both companies," the analyst says. "Moreover, Amazon launched its first Echo products in Italy and Spain, while Google expanded availability of its home products into 5 new countries in Western Europe. The Echo Dot was the top-selling item on Amazon.com on Black Friday, exceeding all expectations as it became out of stock in several markets. The adoption of smart speakers will continue to expand rapidly, as purchases are no longer driven by curiosity or impulse buying, but by the increasing presence of several speakers in the household."

The TRENDnet line of PoE products get a series of additions with the gigabit 4PPoE switches and a 4PPoE injector, all offering support for the recently ratified 802.3bt standard for up to 90W of power per port.

The 4PPoE switches deliver 90W 4PPoE power and networking data over existing ethernet cables. They are unmanaged switches featuring both 4PPoE ports and PoE+ ports. The 4PPoE ports support up to 90W of power per port, while the PoE+ ports support up to 30W per port. Both Gigabit 4PPoE switches include dedicated SFP ports, providing support for long-distance fibre networking.