Crestron Takes on the Network
Crestron announced a new managed network operating system. Designed as a core platform for AV and running as an integrated part of an enterprise or building management system, Power of 3 is also the engine inside new Crestron control systems, company officials say.
Crestron announced a new managed network operating system. Designed as a core platform for AV and running as an integrated part of an enterprise or building management system, Power of 3 is also the engine inside new Crestron control systems, company officials say.
“This platform is the core of the new AV, part of integrated building management on the digital network,” said Randy Klein, Creston’s executive vice president, in a statement. “As an industry, we have to stop thinking only about AV as a standalone system and start thinking about the future. Our Power of 3 operating system [is] the epicenter of the managed enterprise network.”
Crestron’s new MC3 Control System is the first built on Power of 3 technology. The MC3 provides a powerful new platform for fully integrated control of entertainment, AV, and environmental systems in commercial buildings, schools, hotels and casinos, homes, command centers, and multicampus environments.
MC3 features faster processing speeds, increased on-board memory, integrated infiNET EX wireless support, and new modular programming capabilities to deliver even more power than Creston’s previous control systems while simplifying implementation and programming. In addition to providing an integrated building technology platform, all updates can be done remotely via IP.
Based on an IT design rather than a traditional AV design, Power of 3 technology was engineered from the ground up over the past four years as the new generation of integrated technology, according to Crestron. It performs like a computer operating system, with high-speed multitasking ability to run multiple independent programs at the same time.
Designed for scalability, the system’s modular programming lets integrators separate and compartmentalize functions for every system and only update the subsystem that is being changed, similar to the way IT infrastructure upgrades are performed. When doing upgrades to any part of the control program, such as lighting or HVAC control, users no longer have to update the entire system. Videoconferencing and digital signage systems, for example, continue to operate.
“Technology moves incredibly fast. Whereas 15 years ago buildings were 70 percent construction and 30 percents systems, today [they’re] 70 percent systems and 30 percent construction,” said Fred Bargetzi, Crestron’s vice president of technology, in a statement. “These systems must be networked, managed and controlled in ways that are fundamentally different than ever before. Power of 3 performs these tasks effortlessly.”
For buildings or universities with dozens, hundreds, or thousands of rooms, and organizations with facilities in cities around the world, maintenance and upgrades can be executed quickly and seamlessly. This functionality solves a prevalent headache for IT and facility managers by virtually eliminating downtime.
“The Power of 3 platform puts us at the center of the managed infrastructure, and gets our industry consultants and integrators at the table with architects and commercial real estate developers,” said Klein.
