Every few years, California releases its updated regulations on Title 20 and 24 for building energy efficiency for residential and nonresidential structures. These standards are helping occupants achieve lighting energy efficiency and savings. Though effective, these regulations are somewhat complicated to wade through. This post will endeavor to unpack the broader aspects of the latest version of California’s building-efficiency standards (2019). For installers and contractors of PoE lighting, the 2019 update went into effect January 2020. It divides into two distinct categories: the Appliance Efficiency Regulations (Title 20) and Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6). Title 20 applies to the products at the point of sale (or as they arrive from the manufacturer.) Title 24 applies to compliance at the point of the new construction and building alteration. This focuses more on implementing products: how they turn off and on, energy levels to stay within code and more. “Both work in tandem,” states Jasmine Shepard, an engineer for Energy-Solutions, “Supporting California’s lighting market transformation efforts.” Ms. Shepard presented a sample project to attendees in a recent presentation at Strategies in Light, an innovative lighting industry event held in San Diego, February 11-13, 2020. She is an expert in the codes and standards area, and uses her lighting and controls expertise to help clients identify the lighting features needed to meet these regulations. 2019 Standards Overview The 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards improve upon the 2016 Energy Standards for new construction of, and additions and alterations to, residential and nonresidential buildings. Buildings permitted on or after January 1, 2020, must comply with the 2019 Standards. NOTE: The California Energy Commission updates the standards every three years. Energy budget The Standards contain energy efficiency requirements for newly constructed buildings and additions and alterations to existing buildings. The California Energy Commission measures energy consumption in terms of how much of the energy budget is used per square foot of floor space. Thankfully, they’ve also given builders some flexibility in achieving this performance metric. The PRESCRIPTIVE OPTION allows builders the ability to comply by using methods known to be efficient. The PERFORMANCE OPTION allows builders to use design methods to achieve the same overall result. Ultimately, energy efficiency is the goal and how a builder achieves it may align within the financial and physical constraints of that specific project. To simplify the process, California divides these standards into three basic sets. Three sets of standards to make the compliance process flexible ONE: a set of basic efficiency requirements that applies to all buildings. TWO: a set of performance standards – the energy budgets – that vary by climate zone and building type. These tailor to local conditions, and provide flexibility in how to achieve energy efficiency in buildings. THREE: a final set of prescriptive packages that provide a recipe or a checklist compliance approach. Each of these approaches provides a sound basis for achieving compliance while allowing the people on a particular project room for creativity. One technology that is helping simplify the process is Power over Ethernet (PoE) connected lighting managed over lighting platforms. PoE allows lighting to receive power and data through one Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat6A Ethernet cable. Smart lighting not only helps with standard efficiency requirements but also allows designers and contractors to meet these performance standards and compliance checklists within budget. The allowed wattage levels for things like egress lighting and such continue to drop. A lighting platform delivering power and data may be programmed to permissible levels automatically through multi-layered control systems. This technology provides the flexibility needed to achieve short term goals and repurpose existing equipment to be replaced at reasonable end-of-life (EoL) intervals. Compliance is easier and energy is saved. PoE is definitely a green option. Mandatory lighting controls The sections of the 2019 Efficiency Standards that pertain to mandatory lighting controls [SECTION 130.1,2, NA 7.6], divide into indoor and outdoor. They further divide into manual and automated controls. Access to controls Multi-level lighting controls must also include manual access in areas like restrooms and corridors with separate platform controls for each floor, not counting stairwells. The code also requires the ability to achieve multiple levels of light, for instance, up to 0.5W per square foot during off-peak while higher during business hours. The code further requires lights to be able to jump to multiple pre-setting levels of intensity accessible within the 24-hour period depending upon occupancy. They must also include automatic shut off when sensors do not pick up the presence of people during off-peak times. Sensors Sensors shut off controls automatically to reduce lighting power when spaces are typically unoccupied while kicking on in case of emergency when normal power is absent due to outages. Smart technologies needed here would be: Occupant sensing controls Automatic time-switch controls Automatic shut-offs Up to 0.1W per square foot of lighting within a building may remain on provided that area is designated for exiting the building. Partial-on light settings are within 50-70 percent of normal work settings. PoE solution: each and every one of these settings and configurations may be programmed into a lighting platform and automated. At the end of the day, unless an occupant needs to touch a light switch, that person isn’t going to want to have to deal with the light levels. Ornamental lighting Another facet covered in the 2019 Efficiency Standards is controls for displays and display cases, and ornamental lighting. These need to put on automatic time switches while still allowing manual-on mode. PoE lighting solutions make all of this management easier Amidst all of these particulars, the code asks building managers to maintain uniform lighting levels throughout their facilities. From classrooms to libraries, warehouses to parking garages–one step between low and high lighting is required. Having smart lights allows systems to be automated and remotely accessed by authorized personnel. Keep in mind that once these systems are installed they must also be tested, scheduled and periodically time corrected to assure that occupants are safe in the event of an emergency. When you’re dealing with this many variables, having PoE at your fingertips makes sense. Feel free to contact us and learn how our range of PoE networking technologies can help support the compliance of your California new build, addition or renovation.

In a new report published by Grand View Research, Inc., the global LED lighting market size is expected to reach USD 127.84 billion by 2027, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8% over this forecast period. Factors driving the trend are the aggressive decline in LED lamp and luminaire pricing, longer lifespan, low heat emission, and improved energy efficiency. Power over Ethernet (PoE) power sourcing equipment is another contributing factor. Additionally, updates to global energy policies, hefty rebates, and incentives from government agencies for LED light implementation is expected to boost product demand further. Despite this exciting growth trajectory, Versa Technology often hears from partners and business buyers that they are aware of PoE lighting, but that they have a difficult time selling new technology to their customers. This resistance to change is nothing new, and the truth of the matter is that new PoE lighting systems and hardware are superior in efficiency and attractiveness to earlier products, especially when used with the new management platforms. Those who get on board early, the early buyers, stand to save some money. Their operations become more efficient, and products benefit the people who occupy their buildings. These customers are unthreatened by any learning curve attached. They love the excitement of being part of a new wave. When a customer, however, is not rushing to purchase new lighting systems as expected, it’s important to realize there’s nothing wrong. This buyer is different. The apparent disconnect is not in how that business is developing its lighting products but rather in how it needs to present that new technology to the buyer. This blog will explain two of the five basic types of new technology product adoption and how to address customer resistance by providing the right incentives. Realizing this behavior tendency and that it might take a little more time for certain buyer types will make this process smoother. The five types of technology customer Geoffrey A. Moore, in his groundbreaking book Crossing the Chasm (review here), discusses the way consumers get on board with new, disruptive technologies. The five types of technology customer are as follows: The Innovators The Early Adopters The Early Majority The Late Majority The Laggards   Each of these types, either embraces or resists change in a unique way. Marketers also need to understand the two basic types of disruption. The first type is disruptive or discontinuous innovation. This type gets the buyer to change his behaviors and the product he uses. The second type is sustaining or continuous innovation. This type focuses on steady improvements and upgrades without making the customer change his behavior. The key to successful adoption with many customers rests with how much the customer needs to adapt (in one fell swoop) with the disruption your product creates. Innovators love technology. That’s what draws them in. Early Adopters are attracted by what they perceive as a potential benefit. Early Majority are pragmatic and need to measure value before they act. Late Majority buyers like the status quo. They will adopt once technologies become established. Laggards for cultural or economic reasons are not interested in new technologies. Internal reasoning is the key Between the Early Adopter and the Early Majority, who look strangely similar on the surface, is something Moore calls the chasm. To provide more explanation, here is how Moore describes the two groups. Early Adopters are quick to understand the benefits of new technology. Unlike the Innovators, they don’t love technology for its own sake. This group relies on its own intuition and vision to make buying decisions. They are unfazed by product improvements and adjustments. Early Majority are practical-minded consumers. If a product seems useful, this group will try it. The Early Majority are cautious of fads. They need the reassurance of success stories and baselines to move into action. How do people decide how they are going to buy? Look at it from a financial point of view. “Disruptive technology, regardless of type or industry, follows a common thread,” states Peter Brown, a 30-year lighting industry veteran and consultant for Lighting Transitions. “The key barrier to adoption beyond the Innovators and Early Adopters (15%) is the lack of clearly defined value. ‘If it doesn’t have a three-year payback, we’re not interested.’ Most non energy benefits for advanced controls do not have clearly defined paybacks. This is due to a lack of existing baselines on which to compare a new system. No baseline, no comparison, no payback or ROI.” PoE Lighting: Appealing to the pragmatist Mr. Brown recently presented on Mega Trends Impacting the Buying of Connected Lighting. He spoke at Strategies in Light in San Diego. He spoke on logistical objections, and in this, it all boils down to financial transactions. The reason why the LED bulb has caught on with such intensity is that the bulbs were less expensive. They might require more money to purchase, but they last much longer while producing better light and using less energy. That’s finance. When asked what he thought could speed up the process of baseline development for lighting systems, Brown said there are some limited applications where baselines exist. Patient improvement in certain long-term healthcare facilities is definitely one. Occupants in office buildings, for example, go home at night and spend the rest of their 24-hour period in a mish-mash of lighting environments and engage in any number of other outlying behaviors where it’s not possible to provide a control group solely impacted by PoE LED lighting spectrums. Conversely, patients in long-term healthcare spend 24-hours a day in a controlled environment. The benefits of LED lighting on people with Dementia and Alzheimers are evident. Providers are seeing improvement in their patient’s cognitive abilities that they can directly attribute to the result of these advanced lighting systems. These benefits can be measured. This is the type of information that Early Majority buyers need to purchase lighting systems. It’s only a matter of time before other baselines begin to emerge. For more on PoE power sourcing equipment used to support lighting systems, check out our product page.

What is PoE Lighting Technology? Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting systems are smart lighting. They improve control over light quality, lower energy bills, and substantially lengthen bulb life. A PoE lighting platform and its fixtures use Ethernet cables to power lights (luminaires) and transmit data between the luminaire and the control software. They may also collect data, such as in a campus setting, using motion sensors to detect the presence of people and signal networks to turn off when not in use. PoE smart technology also connects LED light sources to the internet enabling end-users to access lighting systems and platforms via smartphones remotely. Why use PoE Lighting Platform technologies? Platforms give end-users transparency and control across the entire network saving time and money. Smart PoE lighting platform control systems allow access to manage lights as part of larger intelligent building systems because both data and power are transmitted over a single cable. Platforms interface with existing building management systems and can be accessed along with other control systems across a campus or home. The other beautiful thing about a platform is that the vendor is responsible for maintaining and updating the software, firmware and other technical maintenance. All the end-user needs to do is long on. PoE Lighting Platform technology companies Versa has developed relationships with talented innovators in the PoE lighting industry to provide solutions that transform the way you and your clients do lighting. This blog will take a closer look at each of these gifted companies–who they are and what they do–to give commercial installers a clear understanding of each of their offerings. 1. Platformatics Platformatics, as hinted to by their name, is an automated platform based PoE-lighting-system solution developer. It combines intelligent Power over Ethernet (PoE) nodes, lighting fixtures, sensors, wall switches, Ethernet switches, area controllers, and cloud-based applications into fully integrated solutions. Area controllers act as security and provisioning gateways for these systems, which use a modular architecture, including PoE light nodes, to ensure that any LED light that supports the Platformatics power interface works on the system. By using standards-based Ethernet switches that combine power and control into a single cable, Platformatics makes it easy for IT system integrators to converge lighting with existing IT devices-from access points to video surveillance cameras. The Platformatics system leverages specific light spectrums and intensities to increase user well-being by making them more comfortable and productive. Platformatics systems provide flexible, scalable, and secure support for new applications, including white light and tunable white for productivity light as well as emergency and egress lighting. The system also offers monitoring sensors that track light levels and temperatures. Platformatics systems can be fully customized to fit the demands of your organization. 2. IGOR IGOR, a certified Versatek partner, focuses on Smart Buildings as a whole more than merely the lighting aspect. It’s PoE-based IoT platform, titled Nexos, is designed to manage the smart building. The solution brings sustainability and increased energy efficiency cuts expenses and man-hours through automation and harvesting insights from data mining. PoE and Smart Building Automation Nexos connects all electrical elements of a building – lighting, sensors, fans, blinds, security, emergency lighting, heating, and cooling sensors, and more – into a single IoT hub. Anything connected to an Ethernet cable and attached to the Igor PoE Intelligent Building Automation platform is assigned an IP address. This allows it to be controlled and monitored using the Igor’s IoT & smart building management application. Using the Nexos IoT platform unifies the management of formerly independent systems, allowing organizations to operate at higher levels of efficiency, using their facility data in new ways. These benefits extend throughout the entire life of the building, from modeling and design to renovation and beyond to make possible a truly artificial intelligence (AI) enabled world. 3. Genisys Genisys (Lighting) is the PoE Lighting division of Innovative Lighting and is the provider of innovative software and hardware PoE lighting solutions for commercial applications. Software controls automate light levels, scheduling and daylight harvesting, among other things. Hardware includes Downlights, Troffers, SmoothLites, Leaf, EnvisionSeries and the control components, which also sell separately. The company also offers Quads, which are self-contained end-to-end, easy to deploy systems for zones within a structure that may be easily expanded later, once an organization has implemented the initial solution. GENISYS has been recognized for multiple years on the Inc. 5000 list and is a holder of dozens of patents and trademarks, is located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Its solution powers, controls, and monitors lighting all through a safe, low voltage Ethernet cable providing endless possibilities into the digital IoT world. 4. NuLEDs NuLEDs specializes in PoE intelligent lighting systems that provide the link between LED light fixtures and the Internet of Things (IoT). NuLEDs PoE intelligent lighting controls connect LED lighting installations to the internet, which allows remote access to IT administrators and facility managers. We provide an essential link between LED smart light fixtures and the Internet of Things (IoT). With NuLEDs technology, lighting can be powered over Ethernet, using low-voltage CAT5 cable, which means existing cable may be implemented that is at this standard or later. The LED light fixtures get an IP address, interact with networked sensors, devices, and mobile users, and are fully programmable. Versatek has collaborated on several projects with NuLED, including the new 100% sustainable Volvo Building in Northern California. 5. Cree Cree’s newly released Smartcast Intelligence Platform is a lighting control system that combines intelligent luminaries with the Internet of Things (IoT) and innovative apps and provides businesses with sensor-rich lighting networks and data-driven insights. Traditionally, lighting accounts for 25 percent of a building’s electricity usage. Lighting systems based on SmartCast PoE could use 70% less electricity than the standard LED lighting. Cree provides a downloadable savings worksheet to help facility managers perform their own financial analysis. Cree is a world-class producer of LED lighting and semiconductor products for power and radio frequency (RF) applications. Cree LED chips (integrated circuits) combine InGaN materials with its proprietary SiC substrates to deliver superior performance and high endurance for semiconductor devices and high-intensity LEDs, which operate at high temperatures and voltages. Cree LEDs are used in various applications such as indoor and outdoor general illumination, intelligent lighting, EV/HEVs, and electronic signs. Learn how Versatek’s PoE network switches and hubs, injectors and extenders, can support PoE smart lighting platforms and systems for your business or home environment.

Smart Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting control systems are value-adding parts of most intelligent building systems today. That said, setting them up to industry standards while satisfying unique customer requirements is no walk in the park. Installers are grappling with a shrunk labor force, tight schedules, and building codes that vary from place to place. Here are seven ways to streamline your PoE lighting project and deliver value against the backdrop of conflicting protocols and dynamic customer needs. 1. Incorporate Value Drivers into the Design PoE-enabled luminaries should deliver energy efficiency at the very minimum, but installers should aim higher. Think about ways to add value by enhancing the human experience in the spaces you create. One way to do this is by integrating lighting control solutions with other installations in the facility, such as HVAC and surveillance. Consider linking components like light sensors, motion sensors, and occupancy sensors with building management systems (BMS) and intuitive software. This way, building operations teams can leverage optimal data visibility to extract descriptive, prescriptive, or even predictive intelligence. Facility owners and users can harness in-depth building insights to inform actions that optimize the usage of the spaces in which they operate. You’re adding value by incorporating intelligent PoE lighting control design into other critical BMS components. 2. Every Space has its Unique Requirements—Study and Address Them No matter your budget, don’t sacrifice building performance by delivering a general or subpar solution. It helps to consult with stakeholders in the project (facility owners, managers, and operators) to build lighting control systems around specific requirements. Thus, ask critical questions to help with the custom design of the solution. Which spaces need smart lighting controls? What level of code compliance does each area require? You can optimize your budget without compromising performance when you find a perfect balance between control features and regulatory compliance. You may refer to online guides in your pre-project research on the most suitable smart lighting design for the client. These can provide good-better-best options for each space you’re illuminating with PoE-powered solutions. Then, discuss all possibilities with the client and incorporate the research insights into your technical blueprint. 3. Understaffed at Work? Wireless Lighting Controls to the Rescue! If your project is understaffed, you’re likely to have problems meeting deadlines, working within budget, or even keeping your clients happy. You may also lack the time or personnel for proper pre-project research and design. However, it may be possible to work with a lean team and tight timelines when you bring wireless lighting controls into the picture. Wireless control systems offer many installation advantages, including fast-tracking and simplifying design and deployment. They eliminate the cost of materials such as dedicated control wiring and traveler wires. Since these systems are scalable, they’re a cost-effective option for projects whose requirements may change in future. 4. Take the Guesswork Out of Code Compliance With the Right Solution Providers Tracking the energy conservation and building code of your area of operation can be a pain, especially if you’re an interstate or intercity installer. That’s because such regulations differ from state to state and city to city, and they keep changing from time to time. It can be confusing, but it need not be the case for you when you’re working with suppliers that can help with code compliance. A good case in point is the state of New York whose regulations draw from multiple industry standards. These include the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code and the ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2013. However, local jurisdictions don’t have to enforce the State Energy Code in whole. As such, cities like Albany or towns like Brighton may have a stricter local code. Fortunately, lighting control vendors can help with comprehensive code guides specific to your state, city, or town. They can also provide system typicals for the space types you’re working with. 5. Be Futuristic: Think Beyond What’s Viable Today Consider how fundamental changes in the industry can affect your business in the long term. Your operating conditions might not remain favorable when counterfeits or new equipment-makers enter the market. For example, would you be able to sustain operations if the owner of a proprietary protocol you’re relying on left the market? Is your supplier offering lighting control products compatible with other building systems? To be on the safe side, engage a provider whose lighting control solutions can integrate with other components of standard building systems and software. Also, consider long-term costs, including when a cheaper product is available today. Prioritize longevity and scalability too. 6. Keep all the Good Customers to Yourself by Delivering on or Exceeding Their Expectations Every Time The modern facility owner or space occupant is more informed than ever before, and they’re asking much more from lighting control equipment installers. Add that to the need to differentiate against the backdrop of shortened project schedules, changing building codes, demand for energy-efficient design, and new technologies. How do you consistently meet higher customer expectations in a highly competitive commercial property market today? Try using some of the project management and optimization tools available to contractors in the real estate industry. With free resources like Lutron’s QuEst-D, you can quickly provide potential customers with the information they need to make the right choice. Tools that help to minimize risk, satisfy project bids, and simplify system design and installation are also essential to the attainment of sustained competitiveness. 7. 24/7 Support: To be There for Your Customers, Your Providers Must be There for You Sometimes, your customers will raise issues that only your smart building system vendor or equipment manufacturer can resolve. So, look for a provider with a solid reputation for innovation, reliability, and 24/7 customer support. Be sure that your supplier is willing to address long-term customer concerns on an ongoing basis from the initial installation. Wrapping it Up Are you struggling with the installation of energy-saving PoE lighting control systems? There are practical ways to overcome common challenges, speed up your project, and deliver on high customer expectations. To add value by enhancing the human experience of the physical spaces you create, consider integrating lighting controls with your client’s building systems. Look for providers that simplify building code compliance. Also, engage manufacturers that guarantee your future via ongoing customer support, innovation, scalability, and support for standard integrations. To compensate for a stretched workforce, consider adopting cost-effective wireless solutions. Finally, your business can succeed in a highly competitive real estate landscape by leveraging free software tools to reduce risk and fast-track design and installation. Are you looking to set up value-adding, energy-efficient, and smart lighting systems today? At Versa Technology, we offer a wide range of code-compliant PoE lighting control solutions. Contact us to discover more!

The LED lighting market, near 40 percent saturation as of this writing, is expected to reach 61 percent by 2020. That means 61 percent of all lighting is expected to be LED right when the Internet of Things (IoT) hits its 20 billion connected device milestone. Gartner reports we’re at roughly 11.2 billion now. It makes sense. From a purchasing perspective, LED bulbs last 20-25 times longer than a halogen, and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL [corkscrew fluorescent]. Used 12 hours a day, a 50,000 bulb will last more than 11 years. They cost more than other bulbs, true, but they produce healthier more natural qualities of light. And, when properly installed, they reduce the demands of electricity by 62 percent. Let’s turn to the year before us and see why LED lighting will see exponential growth in 2018. Factors In LED Lighting Growth for 2018 Though not necessarily new, they indicate larger technology trends. Simplicity and easy adoption are what people want. Consolidation and connection brings the IoT to life. 1. Power and data over single-layer infrastructure Many of you read the announcement at the release of iPhone X [ten] of the wireless charging feature. As technology advances toward a fuller adoption of connectivity, it makes sense to reduce the requirements for powering and data sharing. That capability already being developed in Ethernet, is now moving its way into other areas of technology. 2. Use of DC power Direct current (DC) flows one way; alternating current oscillates back and forth. Single-layer and DC power delivery characterize many Power over Ethernet [PoE] installations, including sensors, security cameras, and VoIP phone systems. You’ll see this trend expand as more device networks come online. 3. Ease of installation Low-voltage devices do not require additional power outlets and are safe to install without the services of an electrician. Since LED lighting is low power, you rarely need to calculate the load for an install. In case you are wondering how to calculate this, the formula is W = VA [watts = volts x amps]. If you had a 3-amp circuit at 110 volts, the results would be 330W. For low voltage devices like POE, the current limiting system is built into the power supply. 4. Follows the latest IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standards Tasked with saving money and providing a clear path forward, the IEEE Ethernet Working Group continues to publish their findings and information on current projects. They have strived for and achieved 2.5 and 5 Gbps speeds and are well on their way to 10. Since lighting has become “smart” and is getting smarter, sensor capabilities in the installations allow organizations to save money, while lighting only areas that are occupied within a building. Automotive is another area ramping up with smart Ethernet. 5. LED lighting may be reprogrammed and upgraded without significant costs Because spaces change within office buildings due to staffing changes and business priorities, having the capability to change lighting function can save your client considerable time and money. Manufacturers like CREE are constantly updating and innovating lighting designs. The Ethernet infrastructure supporting LED is highly responsive and adaptable to change. 6. LED systems can share network switches The same ethernet switch provides network infrastructure for LED and other LANs. That can save time and money, especially for one-off installations. Lower financial investments and the plug and play dynamic of Ethernet is making LED a popular choice with decision makers. What To Tell Your Customers About LED Lighting As the market becomes saturated, bespoke products will begin to emerge. By bespoke, we mean customized designs for verticals, applications, and even customer specific requirements will differentiate LED lighting manufacturers. Smart lighting will become the norm as the IoT rolls out even further. LED will become mainstream. Automotive systems will become more and more Ethernet based. That’s it for LED lighting at this juncture. If you’d like some help choosing the right switch for your customer LED lighting installation, we’d be happy to help. You can message us here, or call if that’s more convenient for you.

LED Lighting is booming! As all-in-one IoT lighting platforms become more affordable and easier to both install and use, consumers purchases are ramping up. One such platform, is the “SmartCast” lighting system from Cree, Inc. The all-in-one platform approach means components are pre-integrated and don’t require complicated setup. In fact, it’s a 1-touch setup. Systems are intuitive, visually communicated and require minimal involvement from the consumer.   This all amounts to one seriously consumer-friendly LED lighting platform. While there are plenty of great companies developing platforms and system control panels, we thought we’d take a deep look at this one. It’s particularly well-suited to illuminate what exactly will drive the platform purchase decisions made by businesses and consumers alike. So why is platform technology like the SmartCast so popular? Why Is Platform Technology So Great? All inclusive platforms make technology simpler, thus saving customers time and money. The inherent simplicity and ease of use also means greater freedom for the organizations planning to implement the platforms. That also helps developers get applications to the customer faster and in more easily scalable ways. Need an example? Look no further than the platforms that host software programs like GMail, Salesforce, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools like NetSuite. A platform in one of those examples would be comprised of operating systems, middleware and other software allowing applications to run in the cloud. What makes this kind of technology so appealing is that system administration, management and other maintenance are all handled on the platform level for the end user. Your service sets up servers and vms in the cloud. They install run times in libraries and middleware. The customer just needs to log in. No management staff required! What Does the Customer Need for One of These Upgrades? That’s where you, the installer, comes in. You’ll simply need to install the onsite infrastructure for a Smart LED Lighting system. This would include bulbs, PoE switches, and Cat5a and Cat6 cabling. It would also include any equipment necessary for the larger network that these smaller networks and platforms are going to be attached to. An install would not include anything on the other side of the Internet. Again, that is done by the provider according to customer specification. All the end user needs to know is this: by the time their LED lighting system reaches them it will essentially be a ready-to-use dashboard. None of the inner workings fall under the customer’s jurisdiction, all of the grunt work would be done during the install. A Detailed Look at Cree’s SmartCast Intelligent Lighting System Now, let’s cover some of the specific features the SmartCast system brings to the table. First of all, it’s a POE lighting setup. Hopefully you’ve read our coverage of this already, but suffice to say that LED lighting is amazing and has a huge number of applications. We know off the bat that the operating costs will be low, making it an efficient platform. Low-power ethernet has been gaining traction in the manufacturing sector over the past few years. We think it’s an exciting phenomenon to say the least. SmartCast also offers analytics software. That means it will collect data and use it to provide optimized lighting for different spaces and functions within any facility or campus of your customer’s organization in which you install it. SmartCast can even lower costs by recommending ways to save energy and utilize space within your customer’s facilities. Frankly, on-site IT admins are already generally overworked. They don’t need or want another system to oversee. SmartCast Advisor was built for precisely this reason. It’s an analytics application built for the SmartCast. It’s capable of monitoring a number of things throughout any buildings in which the SmartCast lighting network is implemented. A large number of customer sites are already operating it with great success. The application collects data and drives insights immediately upon installation, and can detect what spaces are underutilized. So, if your customers are in the market for an LED system that provides these functions, Cree’s PoE Lighting network is looking like a pretty solid choice. “SmartCast Advisor, the first analytics application available on the SmartCast Intelligence Platform, monitors buildings via the SmartCast PoE lighting network.” Your customer can expect to see the following benefits: Intuitive setup Easy deployment Occupancy / vacancy sensing Daylight harvesting Money aspects | program cost | potential savings through use Conclusion At the end of the day, everyone wants to save time and money. Whether you’re installing a platform like SmartCast for your customers, or implementing it in your own commercial building, it’s a compelling choice that can have a large impact in a number of ways. Fully integrated platforms like this one save hassle for the end users by featuring killer software, ease-of-use, and automated power saving measures. If you’re looking for a great way to lower costs for your customers, we definitely recommend you check out the SmartCast!

As the economy struggled over the past number of years, there have been no shortage of tough times for businesses. That being said, there are a few positive outcomes that arose thanks to tighter budgets. For consideration today, let’s look at the ultra-lean approach businesses have adopted regarding technological upgrades. Many business owners have become talented snipers, spending the bare minimum and focusing on value. Unsurprisingly, Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting systems have seen a meteoric rise. Improved control over light quality, lower energy bills, and substantially longer bulb life make them a no brainer. Manufacturers have taken this opportunity to develop increasingly efficient and exciting lighting products. As a result of their efforts, business is booming! Installers, too, are getting in on the action. After all, these systems are generally very easy to install. They can be retrofitted into existing infrastructure. With all of this in mind, it’s safe to say that LED lighting over ethernet cabling is the future. In the near future, the only place we’ll be seeing incandescent, fluorescent and halogen bulbs is in the rearview mirror. So, what does that mean for the lighting industry on the whole? Well for starters, Yahoo Finance predicts the market will skyrocket to over $419M in revenues by 2025! They’ve based their claim on a study by Navigant Research, a Bay Area market research and consulting team specializing in supply side and demand assessment analysis. This in-depth report on global clean technologies predicts 90 percent growth over the next 9 years (their current figure for 2016 is $35.8M). In another report courtesy Grand View Research, a U.S. based market research and consulting company, revenues are expected to reach a towering $3.77B. Those two estimates are concerning the same span of time, so we’ll have to wait and see which estimate turns out be most accurate. Regardless, the consensus is clear: stunning growth is on its way. It’s also worth noting that in the Grand View study, the commercial market actually outpaced both industrial and residential markets. This makes sense. A PoE lighting conversion not only positively impacts organizational costs, it also reduces strain on local power authorities to produce energy by lowering usage without any loss in quality. Increased Demands for PoE Technologies LED lighting isn’t the only way companies are harnessing the powerful potential of PoE. Many organizations are also capitalizing on its benefits in the VOIP and security camera sectors. On January 9, 2017, MarketWatch reported that “The increasing adoption of VoIP among the various application industry has also contributed to the market demand.” The ability to reuse existing infrastructure can be cited as one of the biggest attractions. Repurposing existing copper Cat5e and Cat6 cables, is at least one factor contributing to this exciting trend. With Power Comes Automation The capabilities of PoE technology are due to the simultaneous delivery and transmission of power and data. This functionality enables a myriad of new possibilities. Communication to and from devices allows centralized control and monitoring. Organizations can thus operate an array of devices from remote locations. This eliminates the need for on-site maintenance staff in some instances, and faster troubleshooting options. Automation Becomes Intelligent Enter the age of Artificial Intelligence. 2016 saw increasingly widespread adoption of virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa. So much so that it was a large point of emphasis at CES 2017 a few weeks ago. AI and automation technologies allows for lighting personalization, something that has otherwise required extensive manual control and fiddling. Check out our article on adjustable LEDs and workspace design for more info. Suffice to say that environments can make a huge difference when it comes to optimizing spaces for their given purposes. Further they can be set to change depending on the time of day. This allows companies to subtly encourage and optimize for productivity, creativity, etc. All while lowering operational costs. If you’re curious, NuLED and CREE are two of the companies paving the way with these innovations. These smart devices will continue to improve functionality as they accumulate increasingly large data sets. Deep-learning allows virtual assistants to make specific sense of and adjust to changing environments. “Predictive Intelligence, Deep Data, and Analysis combined with all these sensors and Internet connectivity and the Internet of Things–is what the future is,” said Gary Shapiro, President & CEO, Consumer Technology Association. If PoE LED Lighting Systems are any predictor of growth for this landscape, these changes are coming faster than expected. Installers can be ecstatic at the amount of work coming their way. If you’d like to learn even more about PoE technologies read our guide on the subject.

If you’ve kept up with the news, you know that LED’s are definitely here to stay. They’re more energy-efficient, more versatile, and that’s hardly the half of it. They also play nice with PoE networking equipment. I hear your silent protests. Yes, many times you’ll be working in conjunction with designers who will probably guide the lighting design process from start to finish. But as PoE lighting installations become more and more prevalent, you’ll soon find it increasingly easy to handle this aspect of installations yourself. By taking care of lighting design and install in-house, you’ll… Save your customer time and money Add value to what you offer your clients Add revenue to your existing business Earn some serious customer loyalty Arm yourself with the right knowledge ahead of time, and you’ll find that this is an extremely simple cross-sell. In fact, it can be a no-brainer for your clients. Take the time to get your facts and figures straight, and before you know it you’ll be an authority on the subject. Your advice will be worth it’s weight in gold and you won’t even need to outsource lighting to a designer. With that in mind, let’s learn how interior lighting design works and how we can make the most of modern and efficient lighting systems. Why Do Designers Place Such Importance on Light The short version? Lighting is the unsung hero in the majority of inspiring rooms and structures. “Lighting can make a space; it can be aesthetic or functional. From lighting up your art to providing reading light, it is a necessary feature in any space.” -Sherry Burton You could design the most amazing contemporary office space, but without the right lighting it could easily end up looking like just another cubicle farm. Photo Courtesy Inter Lumi We want to go above and beyond though. We want to bring a space to life through both aesthetic and functional lighting. Light brings visual warmth. It attracts attention and is even (at least somewhat) responsible for the “mood” people find themselves in when they’re occupying a room. And yes, these principles apply to building exteriors as well. LED lighting is particularly convenient for the very fact that it comes in different shapes, colors, and levels of intensity. This versatility makes it far simpler to set (and later adjust) the mood of an environment. “As some of the objects that use up the most amount of energy in households, it is important to… make sure that your fixtures are sustainable and environmentally friendly.” – Sherry Burton OK, so now that we know why lighting deserves careful attention, let’s take a closer look at some of the techniques top design professionals employ. 5 Things Experts Consider When Using PoE Lighting Setups By growing familiar with these professional PoE lighting installation techniques, we (as installers) can mimic them and up sell our own clients in the future. For our article today, we’ve enlisted the help of Sherry Burton whom you saw quoted above. Sherry has appeared in the likes of Forbes.com, Rodale’s Organic Life, and CBS Radio. She’s an author, speaker and coach, and she was generous enough to share a ton of great information with us! In case you’re curious, her book, Feel-Good Spaces: A Guide to Decorating Your Home For Body, Mind and Spirit received consistent 4.5 out of 5 star reviews on Amazon, and a 5-star review from Houzz. For someone so centered on holistic design, it’s a bit surprising that Sherry began her career in a particularly technical industry – transportation planning. While working closely with civil engineers, she learned a number of crucial lessons about shaping communities and public places. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the pointers Sherry collaborated with us to come up with. 1. Physical Layout When you first start working on a lighting installation, be particularly mindful of the physical layout and architecture featured in the space. Also, take note of the placement of art and furniture throughout the environment. These are elements you may want to draw special attention to with lighting. Notice how the recessed lighting follows down the hallway in the following picture. This is a perfect example of how to add dimension to an otherwise narrow passage. Photo by Art&deco Design Tip: LED light does not give off heat like incandescent bulbs and therefore keeps seating areas cool even when placed in close proximity to furniture. 2. Different Lights for Different Purposes Newcomers to the world of lighting design, may be surprised to learn that lighting installations are planned in “layers”. First a designer considers functional lighting. Afterwards, decorative and ambient lighting are given their due attention. By following this methodology, it’s much easier to add dimension to what is otherwise just a room. Keep in mind that each of those layers will have different kinds of lighting fixtures. For example, ambient lights should usually be installed with dimmers. There’s too much to cover here, but https://www.kichler.com/style-guide/learn-about-lighting/layer-your-lighting.aspx check out this guide to learn more if you’re ready for a deep dive. 3. Color Choice Matters This one is common sense. You probably wouldn’t put purple drapes in a room with teal decorations. Colors are always something to consider. Your light sources will be no different in this regard. They should complement and coalesce seamlessly with the room’s furniture and decorations. For example, if the space you’re designing a lighting installation for features dark wood accents, warm light tones will be most suitable. If you’re not sure what the different light tones are, don’t worry. It’s simple. The lower range a light source ranks on the Kelvin scale, the “warmer” the tone (yellow). As the Kelvin reading increases, light tones become “cooler” (white). We covered this topic in depth a few weeks ago, feel free to visit that article if you’re looking for some more in-depth knowledge on how to pick lighting for workspace installations. 4. Light Can Balance Other Design Elements While we’re on the subject of color, it should be noted that other colors featured in the space shouldn’t fight with lighting either. Be careful to choose lighting that compliments the wall color. Don’t overpower it, or give it too much weight by over-emphasizing the wall color either. In the example below, notice how the cool white light from the track lighting fixture allows different shades of white in the furnishings and rug to stay “true”? That’s intentional, and smart design. The wall sconce, however, is a warmer light. It’s there to warm the cream background, providing soft ambient light. Photo Courtesy Temple Interiors Replicating this process on your own might seem difficult at first, but with a little common sense, and some research, it won’t be too challenging. In fact, it wouldn’t hurt to have a quick cheat sheet about what lighting tones go with what colors and accents. Here’s just that. A guide to colors and lighting. And here’s another guide on how colors and light interact with one another. Design Tip: Cat5 or Twisted Pair cable reduces the degree of difficulty for installing and powering LEDs in architecturally remote locations. 5. Understand How People Will Use and Move Through The Space Whether we notice it or not, we’re all influenced by lighting design. Subtle cues can lead our attention to certain areas in rooms, or pathways. When you’re designing a lighting installation, keep in mind what area of the room you want to highlight and be sure to focus a decent amount of the light there. Brighter light draws eyes in that direction. Simple and effective. In the example below, see how the bright spots in the room are the two seating areas, and the kitchen? These are the focal points of this environment, and the lighting indicates so without being distracting. Image Courtesy HGTV Final Thoughts on Lighting You can make a room pretty with colors and furnishings, but without the right lighting design, it will all be for naught. LED lighting fixtures enable greater versatility for creative choices, and their ease of use and installation opens the door for easy cross sells that you may never have considered before. If you decide to get your feet wet, be sure to choose lighting that compliments and accentuates the existing space. Focus on emphasizing comfort and usability. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our technicians who can get you set up with all of the gear you’ll need for a successful installation.