Over a 130 OEMs, consultants and industry specialists assembled at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham for Tridonic’s first UK Partner Conference last week. With the title ‘Lighting and beyond’, the event gave the audience an insight into how connected lighting of the future will be the catalyst for the Internet of Things and will be instrumental in the development of smart buildings
Alongside presentations from Richard Strode, MD and Simon Blazey, Strategic Solution Sales Manager, who introduced the idea of the digital connected ceiling. The attendees were able to see a live demonstration of net4more, the solutions toolbox that is key for connecting luminaires to an Ethernet switch and how net4more delivers a value add that goes far beyond lighting.
The audience also heard from three guest speakers:
Roger Woodward, VP & MD EMEA Tridium drew the audience’s attention to how the development of new approaches and apps utilising IP connectivity will require building owners and occupiers to change their business thinking.
John Swallow, Director of Energy for GMI Group was next to take the stage, explaining how they are evaluating the new lighting driven approach to the networks in a building. Their initial research indicates possible savings, utilising wireless IP, of up to 33 per cent in terms of installation time in addition to possible savings generated as a result of a reduction in components and wirings. This is before the additional value and capabilities that a smart building offers its owners and users has even been taken into account.
Finally Iain Trent, Engineering Director at Land Securities gave an insight into his organisation’s pilot scheme to install and evaluate the benefits of three different IP connected lighting solutions in their own new HQ, 80-100 Victoria Street, London. Three meeting rooms will be monitored to see how their lighting affects factors including usage & well being. The first room will use lighting over wireless IP, the second will be Power over Ethernet (PoE) and the third will be mains wired with communication by Ethernet (PaE).
Summing up the day’s proceedings, Richard Strode, stressed three key points; “This is a time of great innovation in the industry. We have developed the knowledge and now want to build and develop partnerships that will provide you and your end users with new opportunities.”
Commenting on what he had heard and the current state of the market, Nigel Box, Technical Director, Feilo Sylvania, said; “The market is really buoyant at the moment, but is split into two camps; those that are interested and want to benefit from smart controls and the other, probably larger group, that are still reaping benefit from switching to LEDs and not thinking about the additional benefits that are possible.”
The need for end user acceptance and understanding was also reflected by Craig Marney, of Martech;”Everybody is going to have to play their part to make this work. It will need acceptance by the masses and the (lighting) business needs to take charge. The apps play a vital part, end users need to see how it will generate money; if not why do it?”
