Control4 says security vital to home owners

SALT LAKE CITY--Recruiting more dealers and manufacturers of security products is on the to-do list for Control4, a manufacturer of home automation products, following a recent $15 million round of funding. Control4 makes wired and wireless products, nicknamed "plug and play drivers" that enable various components of an automated home--from stereo systems and automatic blinds to fire sprinklers and alarm systems--to work together. At an home industry show put on by the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association this month, Control4 will announce security manufacturers whose products work with its drivers, including, GE ITI/Advent, GE Concord, GE NetworkX, Honeywell Apex Destiny, Ademco Vista, First Alert and ELK, said Glen Mella, chief marketing officer for Control 4. Mella expects to continually add more manufacturers and dealers to its roster and is recruiting and training authorized dealers to sell its products. While it's only one segment of the home automation market, security is a vital aspect of this business, Mella said. "Safety and security is the number one hot button for homeowners," he said. Typically limited to high-end new construction, Mella said Control4's drivers will make home automation available to homeowners outside of the luxury home market. Because the drivers are wireless, they are suitable for retrofitting existing homes and new construction.The drivers enable the homeowner to link all systems together so a burglar alarm may trigger a stereo system to begin playing, and flood lights to turn on, for example. "Virtually every home is a prospect for home automation," he said Control4 began shipping products in April. This round of funding, announced in late July, was led by Foundation Capital and joined by existing investors Frazier Technology Ventures, Thomas Weisel Venture Partners and vSpring Capital.