Control4 - Experts & Thought Leaders

ADI | Snap One is demonstrating its expansive portfolio at ISC West 2025 from April 2 – 4, at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. In Booth #12043, visitors can explore an assortment of technologies and solutions across multiple product categories, including security, video surveillance, automation, power, networking, remote management, data communications, fire and life safety, smart living, and more.  ADI | Snap One exhibits at ISC West 2025 “As a combined business, we're focused on expanding our portfolio, enhancing our distribution capabilities, and accelerating our product innovation to ensure we meet the diverse needs of our customers,” said Marco Cardazzi, Senior Vice President (SVP), & Chief Marketing Officer, ADI Global Distribution. He adds, “At ISC West, we're excited to showcase our broad selection of products, including both our top-tier distributed brands and our own exclusive brands. This combination allows us to offer a comprehensive range of solutions, giving customers a variety of options that empower them to succeed.” ADI | Snap One’s 2025 product roadmap Attendees can get a first-hand look at ADI | Snap One’s 2025 product roadmap Attendees can get a first-hand look at ADI | Snap One’s 2025 product roadmap that includes a host of new innovations tailored to the evolving needs of security and integration professionals. Some of the technologies on display include: Control4 X4 ADI | Snap One is showcasing a significant milestone in customized control and automation – Control4 X4. This next generation of the Control4 experience for users will offer a refined interface that is designed to deliver enhanced personalization of security and automation settings, richer engagement, and intuitive navigation, benefiting both end-users and integrators alike. Control4 X4 delivers a way to manage a smart home ecosystem with a streamlined Home Screen, curated and customizable Routines, and Widgets for quick access to key functions — whether across the entire home or in a single room. OvrC Pro Attendees can explore how the integration of the OvrC Pro remote monitoring platform with Control4 CORE and CA Controllers enhances system visibility and management within a complete Control4 ecosystem. This includes Luma X20 Series surveillance cameras, WattBox 820 Series power distribution units, and Access Networks Wi-Fi components — all of which feature native OvrC integration for seamless remote monitoring and control. Luma Surveillance ADI | Snap One evolves its Luma camera line to meet the growing security needs As surveillance technology continues to advance, ADI | Snap One evolves its Luma camera line to meet the growing security needs of both residential and commercial environments. The recent introduction of the new line of Luma 4K Hybrid cameras and the X20 Fisheye Camera delivers enhanced performance with versatile designs. The Hybrid 4K camera features Active Deterrence, which utilizes built-in LED lights, a microphone, and a speaker to enhance security. These added security measures are powered by the camera’s advanced AI technology, allowing it to distinguish between people and vehicles and capture crucial, defining details like vehicle color, and more. Araknis and Access Networks with OvrC Integration ADI | Snap One will showcase how the successful integration of OvrC remote monitoring with advanced Wi-Fi networking solutions from Araknis and Access Networks enhances efficiency for systems integrators while delivering a superior connectivity experience for customers. With OvrC, integrators can remotely configure, monitor, and manage home and business networks via the cloud, streamlining deployment and ongoing support. Outdoor Audio Surroundscape series is designed to deliver greater durability, scalability, and simpler installation Building on the legacy of Episode’s landscape speaker offering, Surroundscape series is designed to deliver greater durability, scalability, and simpler installation for outdoor environments. Episode Radiance, which combines audio and lighting on a single wire to create beautiful ambience for outdoor projects, will be on display, as well as Episode Extreme, a weatherproof indoor and outdoor speaker designed to withstand the toughest conditions. Mission 500 Security 5K/2K Run Additional distributed product brands on display in the booth will include Resideo, Honeywell Fire, Napco, Axis Communications, Pelco, HID, Yale, ProdataKey, eero, and more. In addition to activities on the show floor, ADI | Snap One is participating in the Mission 500 Security 5K/2K Run on Thursday April 3, helping to raise funds for children in need across the country.

Resideo Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of technology-driven products and solutions, and Snap One Holdings Corp., a provider of smart-living products, services, and software to professional integrators announced a definitive agreement under which Resideo has agreed to acquire Snap One for $10.75 per share in cash, for a transaction value of approximately $1.4 billion, inclusive of net debt. Upon closing, Snap One will integrate into Resideo's ADI Global Distribution business. Smart living ADI and Snap One will provide integrators with both third-party products and proprietary offerings The transaction will combine ADI's strong position in security products distribution and Snap One's complementary capabilities in the smart living market and innovative Control4 technology platforms, which is expected to drive increased value for integrators and financial returns. Together, ADI and Snap One will provide integrators with an increased selection of both third-party products and proprietary offerings through an extensive physical branch footprint augmented by industry-pioneering digital capabilities. Cost savings “The acquisition of Snap One is an exciting step in Resideo’s continued transformation through portfolio optimization, operational enhancements, and structural cost savings actions,” commented Jay Geldmacher, Resideo’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “ADI and Snap One are highly complementary businesses and together will meaningfully enhance our strategic and operational capabilities as a significant player in attractive growth categories." Residential and commercial applications "We are excited about the enhanced value proposition through increased product breadth, local availability, support services, and broad market expertise, as well as the future opportunities this creates for integrators serving residential and commercial markets." "In addition, the investment by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is a testament to the strategic and financial merits of this transaction and provides financial flexibility as we continue to transform and optimize our portfolio. We look forward to the ADI and Snap One teams working together to drive value for all stakeholders through executing on the substantial business and financial synergies we see in combining the two businesses."  High-quality services and support “Snap One has grown from a startup built by entrepreneurial integrators to an industry pioneer in smart technology, delivering seamless experiences to consumers and high-quality services and support to our integrators,” said John Heyman, Chief Executive Officer of Snap One. “This is the right next step to capture new opportunities to bring our solutions to market. The future of smart living is here. Demand for connected technology products continues to grow, and Resideo is the right owner to drive our expansion. We believe this transaction will deliver compelling value to our stakeholders and will create opportunities for our people and integrator partners.” Strategic acquisition This cross-category expansion will allow the combined organization to materially deepen relationships "We are excited to support Resideo on this highly strategic acquisition and in their ongoing transformation," commented Nathan Sleeper, CD&R's Chief Executive Officer. "I look forward to joining Resideo's Board of Directors and supporting the business as it executes this transaction and the significant opportunity we see available over the coming years." Benefits of the transaction A Strong Position Across Multiple Attractive Categories:  The acquisition will combine Snap One's capabilities for smart living integrators with ADI's complementary position in adjacent security product distribution. This cross-category expansion will allow the combined organization to materially deepen relationships with integrators to better serve their customers and expand their businesses.  Expansion of Proprietary Offering:  The combination is expected to meaningfully accelerate ADI's existing exclusive brands strategy, leveraging Snap One's award-winning proprietary product portfolio and product development expertise while providing broader availability through ADI's network of commercial and residential integrators and omnichannel capabilities. The combined company intends to leverage increased opportunities around innovation to drive value for integrators through a pipeline for proprietary products. Snap One generated 66% of sales from proprietary products in 2023 and these offerings typically carry significantly higher gross margins than third-party products. Enhanced Integrator Value Proposition:  ADI's and Snap One's professional integrators will benefit from significant synergy on go-to-market with Snap One's e-commerce expertise and integrator support platforms and ADI's 195 stocking locations and extensive digital capabilities. The combination is expected to create a true omni-channel experience for integrators, simplifying the buying experience and enhancing product availability. Additional opportunity exists to enhance value within the Control4 integrator base through increasing service levels, rapid product fulfillment, and expanding exclusive offerings. Attractive Financial Profile: Transaction financing has been structured to allow Resideo to preserve financial flexibility for future strategic initiatives The transaction is expected to be accretive to Resideo's non-GAAP EPS in the first full year of ownership, with favorable revenue growth and margin profile to ADI and Resideo as a whole. Transaction financing has been structured to allow Resideo to preserve financial flexibility for future strategic initiatives. Transaction details The transaction is valued at approximately $1.4 billion, including the forecasted net debt of Snap One at the closing of approximately $460 million. This represents a 7.4x multiple on Snap One's Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 29, 2023, as further adjusted by including Resideo's projected annual run-rate synergies of $75 million. Customary closing conditions  The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2024 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable antitrust and other regulatory approvals. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of Resideo and Snap One. Private investment funds managed by Hellman & Friedman LLC, holding approximately 72% of the outstanding common shares of Snap One, have executed a written consent to approve the merger, thereby providing the required stockholder approval for the transaction. Convertible preferred equity investment Terms of the CD&R investment include a 7% coupon, payable in cash or payment-in-kind at Resideo's option Resideo intends to use proceeds from committed debt financing, cash on hand, and a $500 million perpetual convertible preferred equity investment from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice LLC ("CD&R") to fund the transaction. Terms of the CD&R investment include a 7% coupon, payable in cash or payment-in-kind at Resideo's option, and a conversion price of $26.92. CD&R brings a long track record of value creation through its investments and significant experience in the specialty distribution market. Effective upon the closing, CD&R will have the right to designate two members to the Board of Directors of Resideo. Transaction conference call information Resideo will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 15, 2024, to discuss the transaction. Interested parties may join the call where related materials will be posted before the call, or by phone at 646-968-2525 or 888-596-4144 with the conference ID: 7959274.  Resideo preliminary first quarter 2024 financial results For the first quarter ended March 30, 2024, Resideo's preliminary expectations are for revenue of approximately $1,485 million, compared with the outlook of $1,460 million to $1,510 million and Adjusted EBITDA above the midpoint of the outlook of $120 million to $140 million provided in the fourth quarter and full-year 2023 results press release dated February 13, 2024. Resideo intends to release first quarter 2024 financial results after the close of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, May 2, 2024, and host a webcast conference call at 5 p.m. ET. Advisors Evercore and Raymond James & Associates, Inc. are acting as financial advisors and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is acting as legal counsel to Resideo. Bank of America and Morgan Stanley have provided committed financing for the transaction and are also acting as advisors to Resideo. Moelis & Company LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are serving as financial advisors to Snap One and have each provided a fair opinion to Snap One's board of directors. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as Snap One's legal counsel.

Control4, a globally renowned provider of customized automation and control solutions, has officially certified the DoorBird driver. DoorBird IP door stations can now be integrated directly into Control4 systems. The smart video intercoms are developed and produced by Bird Home Automation Group in Berlin, Germany. integration with Control4 interface Customers can now access their IP intercom directly from Control4 interfaces, without the additional cost of a third-party driver. The new certified driver recognizes the doorbell, video camera, and motion sensor of the DoorBird door station, immediately after installation. The devices communicate over a shared-network via hardwired PoE (Power over Ethernet) or Wi-Fi. This integration features audio and video calls from the door station to touch panels or the Control4 OS 3 app, as well as a live view of the entrance area via the DoorBird camera. When a visitor rings the call button, a ringtone can play through the home’s audio system. The resident can then open their electronic door lock or garage door via the DoorBird icon, or anytime from the DoorBird app. Cinegration’s third-party driver functional This driver is free-of-charge and available in the Control4 Composer online database. The third-party driver from Cinegration, which had previously enabled the integration of DoorBird into Control4, continues to function.

It’s the 21st century already. Isn’t it time we all lived in smart homes? For technophiles everywhere, the smart home can’t come soon enough. The same might be said for the security marketplace, which is well positioned to thrive in the coming era of home automation. The wait could be shorter than we think, given some recent trends and events we are seeing in the home automation market. Let’s consider several of them: 1. Home Automation Is Getting Attention From Silicon Valley Google’s acquisition of Nest, and the latter’s subsequent acquisition of Dropcam, were a clear signal from the Silicon Valley giant of its interest in the home automation market. And Apple offers the HomeKit standardized network protocol to facilitate connection of more devices in the home. When the big guys get involved, you have to figure it’s a hot market. 2. New (Smaller) Companies Are Entering The Market Despite industry consolidation, it’s still a fertile environment for startup companies that can bring new features and capabilities that are innovative, serve a purpose and can change the home automation industry. 3. Big Security Companies Are Giving It Priority Well-known security brands such as Honeywell and ADT are leaders in the home automation market, and growing contenders such as Control4, Vivint and Interlogix are also part of the mix. 4. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Systems Coming On Strong Connecting any type of device to a home network is manageable for homeowners who are used to logging in their iPads and home computers. DIY systems work especially well at the entry level, and they can whet homeowners’ appetites for more sophisticated systems that might drive them to security integrators. 5. Standards And Protocols Driving Home Automation Implementation Implementation of Zigbee, Z-Wave and other protocols are helping to guide home automation, not to mention low-power variations of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Unsure which protocols will become dominant, manufacturers are seeking to use them all (or as many as practical) until the situation sorts itself out. 6. New Business For Security Integrators Of All Sizes Security systems are already in 20 percent of American homes, which means security dealers and integrators are well positioned at the forefront if and when homeowners look to expand their systems to perform other functions, whether HVAC controls, lighting controls or other computer-controlled mechanical devices. 7. Greater Interest By Security Company Customers This is the best news of all, and customer demand drives any market. Integrators report their customers are asking about home automation capabilities and integrators’ ability to install them. The Electronic Security Association says a recent survey indicates 54 percent of its members now offer interactive services.

Small-timers with big ideas can always make their way into the industry In recent years, home automation technology has given birth to the “Smart Home” in which internet-enabled and controlled devices are bringing a new level of comfort to the standard house. From locking doors to setting the temperature to opening the blinds for a view of the sunset, technology is transforming the home into something reminiscent of the now-quaint 1960s sci-fi cartoon, The Jetsons. Of course, we’re still waiting for our jet packs and flying cars, but the house itself is doing far more of the work than anyone thought possible just a few years ago. Future Of The Home Automation Sector?  “We have seen a lot of consolidation over the last five to seven years, and a lot of it was because of the economy,” says Dave Pedigo, Senior Director of Learning & Emerging Technologies at the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association. “As much as you see the potential for consolidation, I also see a lot of potential for startup companies that have the ability to make products and are innovative, serve a purpose and can change the industry.”  In an era of 3D printing, rapid prototyping and small companies powered by social media and crowd funding, small-timers with big ideas can always make their way into the industry, he adds.   “It’s put us into what I think is the next industrial revolution,” says Pedigo. “While a lot of this is going to very large companies, at the same time I wouldn’t discount small or startup companies that offer goods that are unique and useful.”  4K: Opportunities And Challenges   "It’s put us into what I think is the next industrial revolution. While a lot of this is going to very large companies, at the same time I wouldn’t discount small or startup companies that offer goods that are unique and useful", says Dave Pedigo of CEDIA “Right now it seems like 4K video distribution will be the next big trend,” says Brad Hintze, Director of Product Marketing for Control4. “4K is the next step in high-resolution video and in our opinion it will not be like 3D. 4K will have staying power. It is for this reason that we came to market with our own suite of 4K video distribution equipment for the Control4 Smart Home.” He believes content is the main driver, both in adoption and hardware design. Network providers like Comcast and Dish Network, all have their own roll-out plans for 4K channels and content, which will eventually bleed into consumer adoption.  “But from a hardware and automation perspective, it presents challenges because the industry standards for image display and copy protection are evolving rapidly,” explains Hintze. “Control4 recently released our fully HDCP 2.2 compliant 4K A/V Matrix switch products, which eliminates the black screen produced by playing copy-protected content from studios on non-compliant equipment. Being able to adapt to this wave is what will keep us ahead of the curve!”  Intelligent Sensors For Smart Home  Industry experts predict that sensors in the home will reach a level of sophistication never considered in early versions of Smart Home. These devices will know when the house is empty and be able to shut off heating and cooling systems. Smart phone with geolocation will then tell it when the owner is on her way back so it can start adjusting the temperature to a comfortable level.   “There will be an app on a phone that shows that you’re going to be home in a few minutes,” says Rawlson O’Neil King, Communications Director of the Continental Automated Buildings Association. “Then the house unlocks when you are at the door. The garage opens after detecting you’re close to the house. You have lights that turn on and off at certain times by detecting your presence.”   Industry experts predict that sensors in the home will reach a level of sophistication never considered in early versions of Smart Home. These sensors will also end once and for all the question of “did I lock the door?” or “did I turn off the stove?” And, it won’t just be lights that turn on and off. Sensors in washing machines will know that clothes have been put inside and will start the cycle at a time when costs are at a lower level, he adds.   These sensors will also end once and for all the question of “did I lock the door?” or “did I turn off the stove?”   Home Automation – A Double Edged Sword  With the move towards home automation, the coming years will see a greater emphasis on security as more and more devices become accessible – and hackable – on the web.  As a security expert at the Federal Aviation Administration prior to joining Vivint as Chief Security Officer, Joe Albaugh saw attacks against critical infrastructure and industry.   “The underlying theme was they are computer connected, the data is online and accessible and many of the attacks and threats are exactly the same,” he notes.

As the home automation industry has expanded with an ever growing number of devices and services, companies are placing bets on which wireless protocols will dominate. The past few years the leaders have been Z-Wave and ZigBee. Companies are also using a variety of other standards including Crestron’s Infinet, Insteon, and proprietary technologies such as Lutron’s ClearConnect. Next-Generation Protocols: Bluetooth And Wi-Fi “Right now companies are releasing really interesting and cool products, but they typically operate within a proprietary ecosystem”, says Rawlson O’Neil King, Communications Director of the CABA A few players have also started looking at Bluetooth and Wi-Fi now that low-power variations of these standards are being developed. Some companies have sought to hedge their bets out of a desire to be more ‘manufacturer agnostic.’ “We maintain interoperability with devices that use all of the major forms of control protocol,” says Brad Hintze, Director of Product Marketing for Control4. These include: Wired IP, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave (through third party converter), Bluetooth, Infrared, RS232 (serial) among others. “Being able to work with all of these protocols and their various associated devices, has given us the benefit of widespread adoption amongst over 180,000 homes globally,” he explains. “In addition this is what also maintains the ‘scalability’ of our system, meaning you can get started with a couple of devices in one-room like your entertainment room (using infrared control), but then adapt to future needs with other devices working on newer, more versatile control protocols like Wi-Fi and Zigbee.” “You can get started with a couple of devices in one-room like your entertainment room (using infrared control), but then adapt to future needs with other devices working on newer, more versatile control protocols like Wi-Fi and Zigbee”, says Brad Hintze, Director of Product Marketing for Control4 ZigBee And Z-Wave The popular ZigBee and Z-Wave short-range wireless technologies have proven ideal for the kinds of home-area networks that are becoming prevalent. Based on the IEEE’s 802.15.4 personal-area network radio standard, ZigBee is an open wireless standard. Z-Wave was developed by Zensys (later acquired by Sigma Designs) as a proprietary wireless standard. It’s estimated that more than 500 consumer home control products are sold at Home Depot and Lowes. Rob Puric, Director of Product Management for Honeywell’s Connected Home solution, says “We chose Z-Wave because of the number of manufacturers that were developing products that were based on this protocol. Because it is a mesh network, the more devices that are added in the home the better the connectivity.” Z-Wave’s wireless mesh networking technology allows nodes to communicate with each other directly or indirectly through available relays if they’re within range. Out of range nodes can link with each other to access and exchange information. A Z-Wave network can have up to 232 nodes. At present the industry is locked in a struggle to determine which standards and protocols will become the dominate choice for companies with offerings in the home automation space Promoting Interoperability “We’re at the early days of the deployment of these technologies and their popularity,” explains Rawlson O’Neil King, Communications Director of the Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA). “So right now there are a number of different vendors who are emerging and obviously the vendors want you be locked into their particular product ecosystem.” Associations such as CABA are pushing for interoperability so that all devices can work together.  “Right now companies are releasing really interesting and cool products, but they typically operate within a proprietary ecosystem,” explains King. “That causes an issue when the goal of a lot of consumers is to have one single app on their phone that allows them to control all of their appliances or their lighting or their heating or their air condition.” Discovering Dominant Network At present the industry is locked in a struggle to determine which standards and protocols will become the dominate choice for companies with offerings in the home automation space. “Consumers want products that work,” says King. “The reality is a lot of the companies, their technical staff and management are embracing a particular technology in almost an ideological way. The dominate standards and protocols will ultimately have be addressable by most devices on some level.”