APX Rebrands as Vivint, Adds Home Automation Products
PROVO, Utah — APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc. announced today it has rebranded under the name Vivint. The change reflects the company’s growth from a residential security provider to include home automation services.
Along with the rebranding, the company launched a new line of home automation products and services. The line will integrate with Vivint’s existing security and energy management systems. It includes automatic door locks, video surveillance, and lighting and small appliance control.
The name change displays the company’s expanded direction and capabilities, says Vivint CEO Todd Pedersen.
Vivint is derived from the French word “vive” meaning “to live,” and the word “intelligent.” The idea behind the name change is to help families live intelligently by creating simple, affordable, home automation systems.
“Until now, home automation has been considered a luxury for the elite rather than smarter living available to everyone,” Pedersen says. “We are excited to bring our focus, direction and unique business model into the home automation industry.”
In preparing for its move into home automation, Vivint began installing its Go!Control panels for all new customers in 2010. The LCD touch screen panel centralizes all features, giving users remote control access via the Internet or smart phones. Vivint’s devices use the Z-Wave protocol to correspond with the main control panel, which uses the cell phone network to connect to the company.
About 170,000 Go!Control panels have been installed, according to the company. Of those customers, more than 15,000 are using energy management features that were also introduced in 2010.
Last month, Vivint announced it purchased Orem, Utah-based Meter Solutions, which specializes in the installation of automated metering infrastructure (AMI) systems. The technology collects data from water, gas or electronic meters. It then wirelessly transmits the information to a central database used for billing and analyzing.
The company expects the demand for its new home management package to grow to about 100,000 customers this year. The products announced today will be available beginning March 1.
Vivint lighting and small appliance controls allow customers to manage a wide range of common household devices. For example, users can turn appliances, sprinkler systems and lights on and off remotely using a smart phone or Web-enabled device.
Automatic door locks use keyless-entry electronic locks that communicate wirelessly with the touch screen panel. Customers can arm and disarm their security system when they lock or unlock doors, as well as monitor and manage locks using a Web-enabled device.
Video surveillance cameras employ motion to detect movement and record activity outside or inside a home. Users can remotely access recorded clips via their smart phone or computer. They can also view live video feeds from the cameras at any time.
“Our Vivint products combine the comfort of home security with the latest advances in home automation and energy efficiency,” says Vivint COO Alex Dunn. “By bringing these products to market, we are making home automation simple and affordable for the mainstream consumer.”
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