GE Security Launches SmartCommand™ Advanced Technology Home Automation Control Center

Business Wire,  March 31, 2008  

Tags: General Electric Co., security

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New High-Tech Control Center Integrates Audio Entertainment, Heating, Air Conditioning, Security, and Lighting Controls to Provide Greater Control of Home Environment

BRADENTON, Fla. -- GE Security, Inc., a business of GE Enterprise Solutions (NYSE: GE), today announced the launch of SmartCommand[TM], an advanced residential control center that can seamlessly integrate existing and future home systems including audio entertainment, HVAC, lighting, security and more into an easy-to-use touchscreen.

GE Security's SmartCommand can offer authorized dealers an important new revenue stream and homeowners an advanced level of control over their home environments from a single, attractive wall-mounted 7.8" LCD color touchscreen. Since its availability in early 2008, nearly 10,000 individual home systems have been sold, many of them for homes inspired by ecomagination, GE's commitment to imagine and build innovative technologies that help customers address their environmental and financial needs and help GE grow.

"SmartCommand gives homeowners unprecedented control over their residential environments - literally at their fingertips - and offers our customers new revenue opportunities," said Dean Seavers, president and CEO, GE Security. "SmartCommand delivers value to the residential market by integrating multiple advanced entertainment, HVAC, lighting and security control functions into a simple to use and attractive touchscreen-controlled wall unit."

"The use of SmartCommand has helped enhance our position in the marketplace and has given us a competitive edge," said Arlan Bartling, purchasing manager, ICI Homes. "It is a great system that integrates well with other GE products and adds value to the total package."

"GE Security's SmartCommand is the reliable, high-quality product our customers have been waiting for," said David Nevett, president, LionSafe Security Pro. "It helps improve their lives, and centralizes control and management of their home - all from the attractive and easy-to-use touchscreen."

The SmartCommand unit, topped by a color touchscreen is a simple, convenient and powerful integrated home control system. It provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for control of home heating and cooling, as well as other home systems. SmartCommand represents the latest in a long line of customizable, integrated solutions from GE Security that contribute to our customers' growth and result in greater satisfaction and ROI for end users.

The SmartCommander hub is the focal point for integration of the SmartCommand control center for true home automation. SmartCommand communicates with the home's thermostat, helping homeowners better manage utility consumption and offering a gateway for utility companies to provide further potential savings. It also supports both GE Security's intrusion and fire control security systems, Concord 4 and NetworX, and supports Universal Power Bus (UPB) lighting controls.

For builders and installers, SmartCommand offers a complete home automation solution that can represent new revenue opportunities. It is currently available for new residential community installations in all fifty U.S. states and in Canada and Mexico.

SmartCommand is part of a GE Security multi-generational product plan for residential home automation products. SmartCommand Energy Monitor will be the next plan product and will offer, in addition to all current SmartCommand features, added functionality to help homeowners better manage electricity and water consumption. This new control center will consolidate feedback from home appliances and systems to graphically depict energy utilization on the unit's touchscreen.

About GE's Security Business

GE Security, Inc., a business of GE Enterprise Solutions (NYSE: GE), is a leading supplier of security and life safety technologies, with operations in more than 35 countries and $1.8 billion in annual sales. GE Security offers one of the industry's broadest product portfolios, including access control, explosives and narcotics detection, fire detection, intrusion, key management and video surveillance. GE Security's products are used to protect people and property across a wide range of industries, including aviation, banking and finance, education, government and military, healthcare, law enforcement, residential, retail, stadiums and event venues, and transportation.

GE Security was honored with Frost & Sullivan's 2008 North American Video Surveillance Solutions Company of the Year Award for its industry leading video portfolio and integration strategy vision and execution. For more information about GE Security, please visit www.gesecurity.com.

GE Security, making the world safer.

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