ELAN has unveiled its 8.0 software release. The comprehensive update, which will ship in November 2016, adds a new user interface, voice control of all system events via Amazon Echo, and new integrations with Dish and the Denon Heos wireless sound system. The announcement was made at CEDIA 2016 in Dallas, Texas.
“The new ELAN software update allows custom installers to integrate more devices into the system than ever before,” said Tom McKeon, Core Brands software product manager. “As the connected home market expands, so too does ELAN’s capability to serve as the primary controller for every residential project. This new software reinforces the fact that ELAN is, and will continue to be, the most intuitive control hub for any smart home.”
Through the ELAN 8.0 software, custom installers can now work with Amazon Echo – and digital assistant “Alexa” – to access ELAN’s most common control functions. “Voice control through Alexa gives users one more intuitive way to interface with their ELAN system,” explained McKeon. “And of course, this functionality can be used to update existing systems as well as new installations.”
Further personalizing the ELAN experience for the customer, the ELAN 8.0 software includes a new calendar feature that enables the integration of Microsoft Outlook, Google Gmail and Apple iCal into the ELAN calendar module. “The new software helps integrate more of the homeowners’ information onto the platform, making it more convenient than ever,” McKeon emphasized.
The updated ELAN software includes enhanced security functionality with a new dynamic video transcoding feature that enables ELAN to pull high bitrate video from popular cameras and door stations, and dynamically transcode those videos in real-time. This ensures that the video footage delivered to the customer is of the highest quality, and that it’s reliably delivered to mobile clients and other touch points.
“Security is an essential element in the connected home, so we’ve worked to make monitoring even more comprehensive,” McKeon added. “In addition to the new high bitrate video transcoding, ELAN’s new virtual TV monitor feature enables the routing of encoded video directly to an ELAN gTP4, gTP7 or gXP12 touch panel. Additionally, a new ‘door control node’ feature allows homeowners to activate their garage door and receive the status directly on their devices.”
According to McKeon, the ELAN 8.0 software update makes some significant enhancements to the interface. The update includes an all-new media tab and streaming interface (which includes a new “zone” sleep timer function), new slider controls, hundreds of new sub-system icons as well as a new custom tabs option being built into the platform. It also allows installers – and even users – to quickly group zones ‘on the fly’, and toggle between standard zone view and grouping snapshot when needed. Integrators will also enjoy the software’s all new Auriel Streaming Access, which allows them to locate an LMS streamer on an Auriel audio chassis connected to an ELAN system.
The new native 2-Way Dish driver fully integrates DISH’s satellite television which includes standard DISH controls, an integrated channel guide with program metadata, and an advanced search function which works across channel and recorded content. The new software adds support for Denon Heos, which leverages the new ELAN 8.0 streaming and zone grouping features to provide a powerful streaming and wireless zone expansion solution.
A new OmniLogic driver allows for the integration of Hayward pool and spa control functionality. Now, ELAN can seamlessly integrate and work with the Hayward OmniLogic to control a homeowner’s pool temperature, lighting, and more.
The ELAN 8.0 software will be available in early November. Any interested dealers who would like a preview of the ELAN 8.0 software can visit Core Brands Booth #4100 at CEDIA 2016 in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.
