PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA — The importance of working as a team to design and build the kind of smart homes today’s homebuyers expect took center stage last month at CSI Kitchen and Bath Studio in Atlanta, Georgia, when Nice North America (NSC) Director of Builder Services Bret Jacob and Digital Logic Systems President Daniel Solly presented an AIA and ASID certified course to some 50 architects, designers, and homebuilders.

The course, entitled “Understanding Today’s Home Technology and Infrastructure Options,” covered the many smart home options that are available to today’s home design and build community, and stressed the importance of bringing together all of the players in the design and build process as early as possible at the start of a project. “Truly, smart homes have to provide homeowners with a seamless user experience throughout every room and function of the house, from the entrance door to the backyard lighting and pool,” Jacob emphasized to the group. “To deliver this seamless user experience, the qualified systems integrator has to be as integral to the design process as the architect, interior designer and builder.”

The Nice/ELAN® New Home Program that Jacob directs is creating a new model for collaboration between luxury home architects, designers and residential system integrators — dramatically changing the way stunning, connected smart homes are being designed and built.  “Based on the interaction we had with the audience, a lot of eyes were opened up to the benefits that a clearly thought-out technology blueprint can bring to the contemporary home design process,” Jacob emphasized.

Jacob was introduced to Steen Clausen, owner of CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio, by Digital Logic Systems President Daniel Solly, who previously installed an Nice/ELAN automation system at Clausen’s home. “Steen loved the Nice/ELAN system we installed at his home and he immediately saw the benefits of featuring an Nice/ELAN control and automation system in his showroom.  We are now training the CSI staff so that they can present Nice/ELAN’s capabilities to customers who are designing or renovating homes.”

According to Solly, the co-branded collateral in the Nice/ELAN New Home Program really helps to sell the benefits of smart home automation. “Consumers who read the brochure immediately understand the benefits of incorporating smart home automation into their design project, which in turn creates new opportunities for me and for CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio.”

CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio’s Steen Clausen is sold on the entire idea. “This is a win-win for the entire community we serve: architects, interior designers, homebuilders, the systems integrator and, most importantly, the consumer who now gets the smart home of their dreams.”

According to Clausen, CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio plans to host additional events for the trade as well as smart home open houses for consumers. When he does this, he’ll be sure that Bret Jacob is available to return and present another eye-opening presentation.  “Bret makes a compelling case for the economic and experiential benefits of smart home design better than anyone I have ever met — except perhaps for Daniel Solly – and I’m partnered with both!”

As for other events like this, Jacob stressed that working closely with design centers is a key component of the larger Nice/ELAN New Home Program. “These centers are natural magnets for everyone involved in the design and build community, and, as such, they are an ideal place for Nice/ELAN to preach the benefits of smart home planning.”

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About CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio

CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio has been providing exquisite and functional modern, transitional and traditional kitchens and baths in Atlanta since 1992. The founder, Steen Clausen, CKD, has over 30 years experience in all aspects of the kitchen industry. CSI is conveniently located in Norcross allowing for easy accessibility from anywhere in Metro Atlanta, and invites potential clients to visit the comprehensive kitchen and bath showroom featuring beautiful displays which showcase the latest innovations and trends in kitchen and bath design. Whether the client’s dream kitchen or bath is traditional, transitional or contemporary, CSI offers unique and specialized cabinetry to fulfill all desires. www.csikitchenandbath.com.

About Digital Logic Systems

Digital Logic Systems maintains a focus on providing clients with unique solutions for their technology tastes. Each project is treated as a “new adventure” and although the client’s desires may be complex, the simple approach makes it easy. The company focuses on understanding the client’s lifestyle and through this learning process is able to intricately design systems to fit their specific needs. In addition to system design and implementation, client education is paramount and each solution is explained in easy to understand terminology. the end result is always delivering an elegant solution with simplicity in mind. For more, visit www.prodls.com.

About Nice/ELAN

ELAN, now part of Nice North America, develops an award-winning line of whole-house entertainment and control solutions distributed through a comprehensive channel of select dealers throughout the United States, Canada, and countries worldwide. The Nice/ELAN 8 update was honored with the “2017 Human Interface Product of the Year” award and continues to expand its intuitive functionality, most recently with a full line of IP surveillance cameras and network video recorders.

About Nice North America

Nice North America LLC is a global leader in smart connected devices and systems for residential smart home, security, access control, AV distribution, and digital health markets. NSC and its partners have deployed more than 4 million connected systems and over 25 million security and home control sensors and peripherals.  Through its family of brands including 2GIG®, Nice/ELAN®, Gefen®, GoControl®, Linear®, Mighty Mule® and Numera®, NSC designs solutions for national telecoms, big-box retailers, OEM partners, service providers, security dealers, technology integrators, and consumers.

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, NSC has over 50 years of innovation and is dedicated to addressing the lifestyle and business needs of millions of customers every day.  For further information, visit niceforyou.com.