ELAN Announces Integration of Vivotek IP-Based Security Cameras With The ELAN g! System

Jump starting its 2013 third-party developer program, ELAN® Home Systems today announced that its industry-leading ELAN g! Entertainment and Control System is now compatible with the VIVOTEK line of IP-based security cameras.

“We are very excited about this new partnership with ELAN,” said Harry Hu, President of VIVOTEK USA. “Everyone has seen the convergence of voice, video, and technology that new technologies are bringing to the industry. Now, VIVOTEK has further broadened the scope of this convergence with ELAN’s exciting technology.”

According to ELAN Home Systems Brand Manager Robert Ridenour, "ELAN partners with best-in-class entertainment, climate, security, lighting, irrigation and custom home electronics manufacturers to make sure our products and theirs work together seamlessly.  Our dedication to third-party component integration makes the ELAN g! System a powerful foundation for any home control or entertainment system, including the VIVOTEK line of IP-based security cameras."

VIVOTEK IP cameras are supported in ELAN g! version 6.1 or newer, and the g! system supports video streaming, PTZ, motion detection and image flip functions in the cameras. The g!Tools Network Manager can automatically discover VIVOTEK cameras on the network, making it faster and easier than ever for integrators to implement a whole home surveillance and security system.

“The ability to easily integrate high-definition video cameras and microphones that can be controlled and viewed remotely has broadened the appeal of complete home control solutions,” Ridenour explained.  “ELAN and VIVOTEK are on the cutting edge of home security, and ELAN will stay on the cutting edge by always integrating the industry’s best third-party solutions.”

VIVOTEK’s 8000 series IP camera line ranges in image resolution from VGA to HD to 5-megapixel, including models that provide many advanced features such as Supreme Night Visibility, H.264 compression, removable IR-cut filter with built in IR illuminators, P-iris, remote zoom and focus and much more.

The complete list of supported VIVOTEK camera models includes: FD8133, FD8133V, FD8134, FD8134V, FD8135H, FD8335H, FD8136, FD8161, FD8162, FD8361, FD8361L, FD8362, FD8362E, FD8372, IP8132, IP8133, IP8133W, IP8151, IP8151P, IP8161, IP8162, IP8162P, IP8172, IP8330, IP8331, IP8332, IP8335H, IP8361, IP8362, IP8372, MD8562, PD8136, PT8133, PT8133W, PZ8111, PZ8111W, PZ8121, and PZ8121W.  

About VIVOTEK:

VIVOTEK, established in 2000, has quickly taken its place as a leading brand in the security industry. Known for delivering world-class IP surveillance solutions, VIVOTEK specializes in system applications and integration. With innovative R&D teams adopting ground-breaking codec technologies, VIVOTEK provides a wide range of products, including network cameras, video servers, video receivers, and central management systems. VIVOTEK (TAIEX: 3454) was listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in 2006. In 2008, a branch office was set up in California, USA. VIVOTEK products are currently available through more than 150 authorized distributors in over 80 countries. For more details about the current VIVOTEK products and offerings, please visit http://www.vivotek.com.

About ELAN Home Systems:

Founded in 1990, ELAN® Home Systems is an industry leading manufacturer of innovative, award-winning whole-house entertainment and control systems that are distributed through a comprehensive channel of select dealers and distributors throughout the United States, Canada and more than 58 countries worldwide.  To learn more, visit www.elanhomesystems.com.

ELAN is part of the CORE® Brands division of Nortek, Inc. CORE Brands combines the product and marketing strengths of ten iconic audio, power management and control brands into a single business unit that includes ATON®, BlueBOLT®, ELAN®, Furman®, Niles®, Panamax®, Proficient®, SpeakerCraft®, Sunfire® and Xantech® brands.

ELAN is a subsidiary of Nortek, Inc., a global, diversified company whose many market-leading brands deliver broad capabilities and a wide array of innovative, technology-driven products and solutions for lifestyle improvement at home and at work.  Please visit www.nortekinc.com for more information.

New MIZCO Senior Sales Management Team Appointed To Pace Future Worldwide Growth

Underscoring the dramatic worldwide growth of its six distinct brands of innovative mobile tech accessory solutions and recent launch of its new MIZCO Sports Division, MIZCO International today announced the implementation of a new senior sales management organization that will continue to pace its worldwide growth while preserving the values and corporate culture that has made it a success for the last 23 years.

According to Albert Mizrahi, MIZCO President & CEO, the new management team is being led by four-year MIZCO veteran Chris Flaharty, who now assumes the position of Executive Vice President of Global Sales.  “Chris understands the core values that have made this company the leader that it is today,” Mizrahi emphasized.  “As our first Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Chris will also function as our first Chief Happiness Officer, in that he will be responsible for the development and implementation of sales programs that excite and motivate our sales team and bring delight to our retail partners who rely upon us for continued innovation across all seven of our magnificent brands.

“Chris understands how important it is for our entire organization to remain true to our founding principles and business philosophies. In his role of Chief Happiness Officer, he will work to ensure that the needs of our employees, dealers, and consumers are met with urgency, professionalism and a smile whenever possible.”

In the new sales structure, Zeno Ricci, who currently manages sales throughout Canada, now assumes the position of International Sales Director.  Ricci is a proven executive who managed Targus in Canada and Latin America for many years.  According to Chris Flaharty, “It has been a true pleasure watching Zeno build a terrific business for MIZCO in Canada and we are excited to have him take on an expanded role in our new sales organization.” 

MIZCO recently hired Mark Kelley as a sales director in the United States, with responsibility for overseeing distribution, ecommerce and specialty channels.   Kelley was recently director of sales at Daymen, where he helped the company properly structure and align teams to serve a fast growing business.  “Mark brings valued experience in building brands, delighting customers and communicating with leadership on how to better serve both our employees and customers,” Flaharty said.

Flaharty noted that MIZCO has recruited tremendous talent to manage the company’s multiple brands, and the new changes in the sales organization will allow the brand directors to meet with key customers to collaborate on joint strategies to maximize the merchandising direction for each of the company’s partners.  “It has been a true pleasure working with the various brand managers and to share their passion with our customers,” he added. “We are really excited to showcase our portfolio of brands at the CES 2013.”

MIZCO International is exhibiting all seven of its performance driven brands at CES 2013 in Booth #30842 (South Hall 3) of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

About MIZCO International

Headquartered in Avenel, New Jersey, MIZCO International is the world's fastest growing supplier of mobile phone headsets and accessories, as well as imaging and iPhone power solutions.  Founded in 1990, MIZCO markets products under the Cellular Innovations, DIGIPOWER, iEssentials, Ecko Unlimited, MIZCO Sports, ToughTested, and Travelocity brands.  The company currently offers more than 1,000 products through a global dealer network.  For more information on MIZCO and its product offerings call 1.800.266.4026 or visit www.mizco.com.

Eastern Suffolk BOCES Chooses Xantech For Enhanced Conferencing Options

The Eastern Suffolk BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services), located in Holbrook, New York, is now able to hold meetings of all sizes, thanks to the innovation of the integration team at Symbrant Technologies, which recently integrated a wide range of Xantech products into the building’s four conference rooms, allowing for multiple configurations of the rooms, as well as enabling projection capabilities. The system is managed by a combination of five Xantech CSPLCD64G touch panels and five Xantech WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controllers.  

Symbrant was asked to integrate a system that would allow for four separate side-by-side conference rooms to operate in several different configurations. The system allows for the merging of any combination of the four rooms, or for separate conference rooms. The Xantech WIC1200 lets the staff at the Eastern Suffolk BOCES control the room configurations easily, and the system’s new Xantech webpage makes controlling the system as simple as possible. Each room features a projector that can display content from seven different inputs including a Blu-ray player, cable box and Apple TV plus VGA, HDMI, component and composite wall inputs. The system features an EnGenius WAP for Wi-Fi, and all content can be displayed on the projectors with just the touch of a button.

Keith Dalia of Symbrant Technologies has been working with Xantech products for years, so he knew it was a perfect fit for the project. “The WIC1200 makes it extremely easy to configure the conference rooms in any arrangement that is needed. The system can also be controlled by an iPad, and with the CSPLCD touch panels the projectors can be used to show content from the Blu-ray player or Apple TV, making it very easy to deliver presentations that require video.” 

The newly controlled conference rooms are important not just for meetings concerning BOCES, but also for local businesses that rent out conference rooms in the building for staff meetings or client presentations. Each room now includes a microphone setup, as well as eight in-ceiling speakers and a Kramer scaler for video switching. 

“I’ve been integrating Xantech-controlled systems for the last six years, and they have always been incredibly helpful,” added Dalia. “Xantech is always available to offer service and support and their help is reflected in the end result.”

 Xantech's WIC1200 Web Intelligent Controller is a stand-alone room controller for networked/web-based control featuring two IR Ports, two Serial Ports, two contact closure ports, two Digital I/O ports and two Ethernet ports (one with power over Ethernet [POE]) for TCP/IP telnet control with less intrusion into facility IP networks. On its own, the Web Intelligent Controller is an event-driven component with two RS232 ports (configurable for RS422 and RS232) and a single IP port. The Event Manager is capable of timed events, calendar events, Telnet and serial events as well a full FTP site, web server and email server. 
The CSPLCD64G touch panel is part of Xantech’s Commercial LCD Touchscreen Controller series that consists of two interactive touch panels — a 3.9" and 6.4" diagonal color graphic touch panel. All functionality and screen graphics are fully programmable using Xantech's intuitive and easy to use Dragon Drop-IR^TM programming software using either the RS232 or USB ports located behind the detachable faceplate. Each touch panel comes with an extensive library of built-in IR codes and the ability to learn IR codes via the Learning Eye or from Dragon Drop-IR^TM software. As with the other Smart Pads, these new touch panels are designed to be standalone controllers with the ability to output IR commands onto the standard Xantech four-wire IR bus. These new touch panels also have the ability to transmit and receive RS232 commands utilizing the optional RS422 to RS232 Module (model RS422232). 

About Xantech: Xantech designs and manufactures an extensive range of audio, video and control products and systems, many of which have become de facto industry standards. Xantech IR products are specified into more audio/video installations than any other brand. Xantech also supplies hi-definition HDMI video solutions, touch-panels and IP control systems for residential and commercial applications, multi-room audio/video systems, audio source components and processors, and software programming tools. Products are sold to professional installers and distributors directly from Xantech. Xantech’s products are marketed in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe. For additional information about Xantech and its innovative products, please visit www.xantech.com.   

Xantech is part of the CORE® Brands division of Nortek, Inc. CORE Brands combines the product and marketing strengths of ten iconic audio, power management and control brands into a single business unit that includes ATON®, BlueBOLT®, ELAN®, Furman®, Niles®, Panamax®, Proficient®, SpeakerCraft®, Sunfire® and Xantech® brands. 

Xantech is a subsidiary of Nortek, Inc., a global, diversified company whose many market-leading brands deliver broad capabilities and a wide array of innovative, technology-driven products and solutions for lifestyle improvement at home and at work.  Please visit www.nortekinc.com for more information.

DIGIPOWER Enters Exclusive U.S. Distribution Agreement to ‘Extend the Reach’ of Quik Pod® Monopod/Tripods

MIZCO International, the industry-leading manufacturer of technology accessories designed to support and enhance the mobile tech lifestyle of today’s active consumer, today announced that its DIGIPOWER division had entered into an exclusive agreement to distribute the phenomenally popular line of Quik Pod® extendable hand-held telescopic monopods and tripods that were created by the legendary inventor Wayne Fromm and his company Fromm Works. 

According to DIGIPOWER President Maurice Mizrahi, the agreement with Fromm Works to distribute the Quik Pod line of Pro, Pro+, Explorer II, DSLR, and DSLR/POV models through its United States dealer network is a win-win for both parties.  “Quik Pod has become a sensation among a very large mobile consumer audience that loves to record their every move and activity both at home and outdoors,” Mizrahi said today.  “This amazingly innovative product line is a natural addition to the DIGIPOWER line of retail products and it provides our dealers with an exciting new solution to offer customers.”

Wayne Fromm, founder and President of Fromm Works today noted that, “The combination of our innovative product line with DIGIPOWER’s retail distribution network creates a significant new opportunity to put the Quik Pod solution in front of millions of consumers.  This agreement begins the next exciting chapter in the Quik Pod story!”

Quik Pod is the world’s first line of extendable telescopic hand-held monopods and tripods that allow consumers to quickly and easily include themselves in photos and videos.  Designed to collapse and fit perfectly in any size backpack, knapsack, or purse, Quik Pods attach easily to any camera, camcorder, smartphone or GoPro camera, enabling consumers to capture a memorable moment without the assistance of strangers!  “With Quik Pod, consumers can now take self-portraits or make videos of themselves without having to ask strangers for assistance,” Mizrahi emphasized.  “They provide an extendable reach when consumers need it most and can be used underwater with an underwater camera.”

According to Mizrahi, the entire line of Quik Pod Pro, Pro+, Explorer II, DSLR, and DSLR/POV models will be on display at CES 2013 in Booth #30842 in South Hall 3 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Fromm Works is a father and daughter team. Company Founder Wayne Fromm has invented over 50 commercially successful products including his latest, the Quik Pod, the world's first handheld telescopic monopod/tripod and "Disney's Beauty and the Beast Magic Talking Mirror." Wayne's daughter Sage Fromm grew up in the inventing industry and now co-creates new products and is part of all aspects of the Quik Pod business.

Fromm is a successful inventor and entrepreneur with patents in the U.S. and other countries to his credit. His creations include other hits including “Disney's Aladdin Magic Lamp", "Crayola's Color and Show Projector", "Saban's Power Ranger Room Defender" and "Nestle's Nesquik Magic Milkshake Maker". His company co-marketed the successful toy, "Crazy Bones" a popular collectible that was featured as a McDonald's Happy Meal gift. Sage grew up in the business and has completed an Honors Degree in Psychology on her way to a PhD. Fromm Works Inc. proudly supports various non-profit organizations including the Starlight Children's Foundation.

About MIZCO International

Headquartered in Avenel, New Jersey, MIZCO International is the world's fastest growing supplier of mobile phone headsets and accessories, as well as imaging and iPhone power solutions.  Founded in 1990, MIZCO markets products under the Cellular Innovations, DIGIPOWER, iEssentials, Ecko Unlimited, MIZCO Sports, ToughTested, and Travelocity brands.  The company currently offers more than 1,000 products through a global dealer network.  For more information on MIZCO and its product offerings call 1.800.266.4026 or visit www.mizco.com.

Take1 Insurance Debuts New Website

Take 1 Entertainment Insurance today launched a striking new web site designed and written by the creative team at Griffin!  The new site strategically positions this leading entertainment industry insurance solutions provider as the only insurance provider focused on meeting the unique needs of the live event, film and television production, post production, and rental and staging industries.  A coordinated print and online advertising campaign will break early in 2013 to drive traffic to the new site. Visit www.take1insurance.com to experience the new site!

New IBIS BAY Beach Resort Brings 1950s Key West Style to 21st Century Travelers

Thanks to the vision and commitment of former New York ad executive Chris Holland, Key West’s biggest eyesore has been transformed into its biggest ‘site’ for sore eyes — the new IBIS BAY Beach Resort!  For years, one of the first things visitors to Key West would see was a struggling property called The Blue Lagoon Motel.  It did have one thing going for it, however: it was one of only eight Key West hotels with a private beach, and it happened to be the biggest of them all.  Since then, Holland has even extended the beach, so that it’s now the largest private beach in Key West!

Now just two years later, the resort has benefitted from significant renovations and upgrades including redesigned rooms, new furnishings, new landscaping, the popular new Stoned Crab restaurant that specialized in stone crab and a new dock for fresh daily deliveries from local fishermen.  IBIS BAY has quickly become a favorite among travelers and locals and is already having a big impact on the local community through the many events and fundraisers it hosts.  As the island’s only beach resort to embrace Key West’s Cuban history, IBIS BAY stands alone as both a resort and a destination.  Holland is all about authentic travel, and he fuses his personal design aesthetic with the island’s classic 1950s style to create a fun, unique Key West destination.

“We don’t want to be the Ritz Carlton and have that hotel chain sameness because it’s so boring!  We’re looking to provide travelers with a unique experience that allows them to enjoy the Key West of the 1950s while utilizing the advantages of modern technology to ensure a pleasant and fun-packed stay.   Our Fun Desk booking service is Key West’s one-stop shop for the island’s best dining, shopping, adventures, tours and rentals, so we’ve got something for everyone.  We’re not going for Palm Beach,” Holland emphasized, “we’re going for Jimmy Buffet.”

The new on-site Stoned Crab restaurant offers a true boat-to-table seafood experience with daily deliveries of fresh stone crab, lobster and other locally caught delicacies that go right from the dock to the kitchen. Located adjacent to IBIS BAY with its own dock, the restaurant has beena big hit with locals and visitors who love dining on the freshest seafood anywhere, including the local Key West delicacy, stone crab!

“A lot of air travelers see the giant crab claw on our restaurant’s roof,” Holland continued, “and their first question off the plane is ‘What’s that giant crab restaurant?’  It’s really amazing how much people love our stone crab dishes.  Recently a couple took a 7 p.m. flight from Miami to Key West just so they could enjoy the fresh stone crab claws that The Stoned Crab is famous for.  Then they turned around and took the 9:30 pm flight back home.  Whether it’s the food, the atmosphere or the special events we host, we’re all about keeping things fresh and exciting, so there’s always something fun going on at IBIS BAY!”

IBIS BAY is a study in contrast, maintaining the classic Key West feel while including all the modern amenities and technologies that travelers expect.  Pelicans and ibis birds roam the pebble stone courtyard, palm trees and hammocks dot the white sand beaches, and parrots and iguanas can be found all over the resort.  The design aesthetic mirrors classic 1950s Miami/Havana, contrasting with the flat screen TVs in every room and the Fun Desk that offers guests and locals an easy way to plan a whole day or week full of exciting Key West activities.  Even the resort’s approach to maintenance is high tech, with the maid staff now using eco-friendly clean UV wands to sanitize each and every room.

The 80-room resort caters to all kinds of travelers, from families to fishermen to honeymooners, with special dock-front rooms for boaters, plus it sits adjacent to Key West’s hottest new fresh seafood restaurant, The Stoned Crab.  And to make IBIS BAY’s white sand beaches even better, Holland has extended it to more than 600 feet, so that it’s now Key West’s largest private beach!

Holland came to Key West, like a lot of people, as a second homeowner.  But he brought with him nearly 30 years of experience as the founder and creative director of Holland Advertising in New York, and as creative director for Ted Bates in Hong Kong prior to founding his own agency.  Holland has created memorable campaigns for clients as diverse as Panasonic, AIWA, McCall’s magazine and Esquire.  His creative sensibility is apparent everywhere in what’s taking place today at IBIS BAY.

“People say that Key West is like no other place on Earth, and IBIS BAY Beach Resort is like no other place in Key West,” said Holland.  “Since I took over the Blue Lagoon and turned it into IBIS BAY we’ve made incredible improvements and progress, creating a truly unique destination that has everything a traveler could ask for, from the gorgeous beaches and ocean views to the updated rooms, friendly service and stellar dining.”

What’s more, IBIS BAY hosts a wide variety of special events, from weddings and local designer fashion shows to Thursday night poolside Dive-In Movies and fundraisers like mixed martial arts fight nights for local causes and charities.  Holland and the resort have quickly become an important part of the Key West community.

The resort also recently introduced a new block of fishermen-focused rooms, called “The IBIS BAY Fish Camp”, where a boat ramp sits just outside the rooms and visitors can arrive by car or boat.  With seven fish-themed double queen suites right on the water, each with a kitchenette, it’s the perfect place for fishermen to get a head start on the day and then haul back the day’s catch.

About IBIS BAY Beach Resort:

IBIS BAY Beach Resort (www.ibisbayresort.com) embodies the very best of Key West and offers guests a vacation experience like no other. With a full deck of options for active adventure-seekers, Hemingway buffs or travelers who want to fit in with the locals, there is something special for every guest. Featuring classic Key West architecture and design, 600 feet of beautiful private beach, a 20-foot poolside movie screen for outdoor movie nights and The Stoned Crab restaurant, IBIS BAY Beach Resort is more than a resort—it’s a destination.

Dedicated Interfaces Remain Vital For Today's Control Systems

Custom integrators who allow their clients to think that an iPhone, iPad or Android device is the first — and last word — in home control are doing them, and the industry they serve, a disservice, according to Joe Lautner, Control Group Director at CORE® Brands, which manufactures and markets the industry-leading ELAN® g! Entertainment and Control System.  "Let's not put the cart in front of the horse," Lautner stressed today.  "The phenomenal popularity of Apple and Android interfaces has had an incredibly strong and positive impact on our industry, but their control features are limited when compared to the capabilities of dedicated interfaces."

According to Lautner, every integrator knows there are a lot of things that are simply easier, faster and more convenient to do on a dedicated wand-style remote or hard-wired in-wall touch screen.  Special features such as always-on intercoms, hard buttons for commonly used functions and deeper accessibility into security, energy management and media controls make these interfaces a necessary element to deliver the full functionality of a robust home control system.  “And as homeowners add more wireless devices that can congest their Wi-Fi networks, hard-wired control interfaces ensure reliable access to the system.”

Lautner stressed that advanced technology is now a part of everyday life, and cable companies have begun promising cheap home automation from a smartphone.  Because of this, he explained, it’s easy for consumers to lose sight of the value of more expensive touch screens and remotes that industry professionals consider must-haves.

“Increasingly, integrators are working with clients who assume that their smartphone is the only device they need to control their home.  It’s up to us to educate the consumer,“ Lautner stressed.

While it’s convenient to be able to log while away from home, it’s also true that when in the home, using a smartphone may add four or five steps to simply change the volume or pause the TV.  Wand-style remotes are still the best solution for home theater and home audio control.

 

In-wall touch screens also have several advantages that are obvious to integrators but may be more elusive to their clients.  Lautner continued, “You always know where it is, you can’t drop it, you never have to charge it, you and your kids can’t break it, toddlers can’t reach it, it won’t slow down because you have 1,000 Instagram updates, you can set different home screens and accessibility options for different users, it’s always on, it’s available for other family members to use when you aren’t home, and some models can double as TVs, making them perfect for kitchens and bathrooms. 

“Using a smartphone for home control is like using an air mattress,” Lautner concluded.  “It’s extremely useful when you’re out of the house, and can be valuable in a pinch when you’re home, but it doesn’t provide the same level of functionality as a real mattress designed specifically for everyday use.  Smartphones are great for remote accessibility, but once you’re inside the house there are much better ways to manage your home control system.”

About CORE® Brands:

CORE® Brands is a subsidiary of Nortek, Inc., a global, diversified company whose many market-leading brands deliver broad capabilities and a wide array of innovative, technology-driven products and solutions for lifestyle improvement at home and at work.  Please visit www.nortekinc.com for more information.  CORE Brands combines the product and marketing strengths of ten iconic audio, power management and control brands into a single business unit that includes ATON®, BlueBOLT®, ELAN®, Furman®, Niles®, Panamax®, Proficient®, SpeakerCraft®, Sunfire® and Xantech® brands.