Leviton, Melville N.Y., announced the introduction of its Provolt ODC family of line-voltage occupancy and vacancy sensors. The new sensors simplify energy management with an easy to install self-contained solution. Provolt occupancy sensor models include line voltage occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting and manual-ON/auto-OFF override control in a single unit with no special control stations required.

Analysts at Gartner Inc. have predicted that “smart home” products will add $1.9 trillion to the global economy in the next six years. While that number may seem high in a market of fragmented product lines that don’t always “play nice,” it looked a lot more realistic with the announcement by Google’s Nest, and six other companies (Yale Security, Silicon Labs, Samsung Electronics, Freescale® Semiconductor, Big Ass Fans and ARM) that the companies have formed the Thread Group (www.threadgroup.org) to develop Thread, a new IP-based wireless networking protocol.

iControl Networks and NETGEAR®, Redwood City, Calif., and San Jose, Calif., announced the launch of the NETGEAR Security Touch Screen (STS7000), a new Android™ touchscreen for iControl Connect™ solutions.

Just like the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz, when it comes to lighting control so many things out there can be intimidating. But don’t falter, it’s time to be brave and embrace the connected world of control.

GainSpan ® Corporation, San Jose, Calif.,. a provider of ultra-low power Wi-Fi connectivity for the Internet of Things, announced that home and commercial automation control solutions provider Savant Systems chose GainSpan Wi-Fi technology for its new SmartLighting Wi-Fi® control system.

Because light is a natural deterrent to crime, adding lighting controls and automation to a security system can improve the effectiveness of the alarm system while providing customers with a product that enriches their lives. “Homeowners are seeing the value of the lifestyle aspect in daily life, as well as security, which is equally important,” says Rob Puric, director, product management and marketing, Honeywell Security and Communications, based in Melville, N.Y.

HAI by Leviton released the Omni-Bus Scene Controller, designed to enable the configuring of lighting scenes or moods.

Starting off the new year can be an opportunity to look at ways to change your business strategy and make changes to start the year off right. Maybe it’s time to hire some new employees, or maybe you are going to resolve to keep better track of your financial statements. Something to consider as you plan for the year ahead is how your company will work in the residential market in 2013.