Daintree launches inter-operability program for wireless lighting controls

Daintree Networks, Inc., a Mountain View, California-based provider of wireless control solutions for energy-smart buildings, has launched its ControlScope Connected Partner Program, designed to encourage vendor collaboration and development.

The program is intended to create interoperability between Daintree’s own ControlScope wireless lighting-control platform and third-party products. Several lighting vendors and other manufacturers have been announced as the first five program members.

“The move toward standards-based and interoperable technologies is an important step in the transition of lighting controls, demand response and other energy-management technologies from custom, early-adopter projects into mainstream market adoption,” said Danny Yu, CEO of Daintree Networks.

Companies that join Daintree’s partner community have built products for the lighting industry using the ZigBee wireless standard for communications. The products include a variety of sensors, wall switches, ballasts, LED drivers and more.

Daintree says it is creating an "ecosystem" of open-standards products that can co-exist on a single, intelligent lighting network, which is managed centrally and wirelessly by the company’s ControlScope software platform.

The first ControlScope Connected partners are:

• Finelite, a supplier of high-performance lighting systems for offices and educational facilities;
  
• Centralite, an energy-management provider supplying wireless wall switches, occupancy sensors and plugload controllers;
  
• Albeo Technologies, a supplier of solid-state lighting for commercial and industrial applications, specializing in warehouse, office and cold storage;
  
• Easylite, a provider of integrated lighting-control systems and ballasts;
  
• SimpleHomeNet, a provider of ZigBee-based sensors, switches and load control devices.

“The use of open standards to enable product interoperability has long been an important factor in the growth and success of new industries,” said Mike Wapner of Pike Research, a cleantech market research and consulting firm. “As the market for commercial lighting retrofits and energy-efficient lighting controls continues to grow, an interoperable approach has the strong potential advantages of increasing customer choice, improving alignment among manufacturers, and reducing investment payback periods.”

In addition to the partners named above, more than a dozen other lighting vendors are working with Daintree Networks to build or integrate wireless networking into their product sets for lighting controls. As part of the program, these providers receive access to technical and design assistance, as well as ongoing sales and co-marketing opportunities.