ROCKLEIGH, NJ, Now available, Crestron XPanel for Mac® enables system managers and end users to access and control Crestron systems from any connected Mac computer or laptop. XPanel for Mac transforms an iMac® or MacBook® into a virtual touchpanel, and is a great complement to other Apple® products that are integrated with Crestron, including the iPhone®, iPod® and iPod touch®. For all Crestron dealers and partners, XPanel for Mac is a free application available for download from the Crestron website.

“XPanel was built on the industry’s first IP-based control technology, which Crestron developed more than 10 years ago,” said Vincent Bruno, Crestron Director of Marketing. “Originally designed for PCs, we are now pleased to offer the same capabilities to Mac users, particularly in schools and residences where Macs are in frequently use.”

XPanel for Mac replicates the Crestron touchpanel experience on a computer screen, so a client can remotely check to see if lights were left on and turn them off, or arm/disarm the security system from any location. System managers can take control of a classroom and help an instructor get a presentation up and running quickly, without physically going to the room. With XPanel for Mac, the screen graphics are designed with the Mac user in mind, making remote access simple and intuitive.

ROCKLEIGH, New Jersey — Crestron Electronics, Inc. today announced record breaking one-month sales for December 2008. Ironically, the day the U.S. government reports the worst jobless rate since 1945, and the day after President-elect Barack Obama urged Congress to take “dramatic action as soon as possible” to mitigate the length and severity of the recession, Crestron announces its best month in the company’s 40-year history.

Crestron, the global leader of advanced commercial and residential control and automation systems, has posted double-digit sales growth for 20 consecutive years. The New Jersey-based company’s fiscal year ended in June with annual revenue of more than $400 million. In December retail electronic sales suffered a double-digit decline and the U.S. manufacturing sector led job losses. At the same time, Crestron increased monthly sales by 26 percent over last December – on pace for another record breaking year.

“Our industry and our company are not recession-proof or immune to economic conditions,” explains Crestron Executive Vice President Randy Klein. “But Crestron is uniquely positioned to help our dealers and partners thrive even in these uncertain times. We have a responsibility to develop new technologies, get them to market and create more business opportunities.”

Crestron, which does all manufacturing in the U.S., introduced 70 new products in 2008 (plus 200 accessories), averaging a new product release every five days. The company has a remarkable 22 new products scheduled to launch this month alone, which is more than most manufacturers announce in an entire year. Further evidence of the positive effect Crestron has on the professional electronics industry is the 2008 Top 50 Systems Integrators listing, which was published by New Bay Media earlier this week. The report shows that the top installers did not experience a drop off in sales, and nine out of 10 were Crestron dealers.

The latest sales figures from Crestron are a testament to the four decades of innovation, vision and ingenuity of this American manufacturer.

Rockleigh, New Jersey – Crestron has become a member of the EMerge Alliance to contribute its expertise in delivering fully integrated solutions that manage and control disparate building systems intelligently and efficiently. Creating a new standard for integrating commercial building infrastructures, power, controls and a wide variety of systems on a common platform is a key mission of EMerge. The development of this new commercial technology standard will also lay the groundwork for future innovations in energy-efficient and individually controllable devices, such as LED lighting.

Today’s workplace is dominated by fixed wiring, making upgrades and retrofits complicated and costly. The demand for more flexible power distribution and device control solutions has focused the Alliance on the adoption of low-voltage DC power, which simplifies the installation of lighting fixtures and other devices. A safer and more flexible solution than line-voltage AC, DC power is ideally suited for integration into the ceiling plane, enabling facility managers to arrange and rearrange lighting, sensors, actuators, and other devices without rewiring.

Through seamless integration of solar, wind and other new energy sources, and interior electrical loads such as lighting and controls, EMerge is committed to making commercial buildings more flexible, energy efficient and sustainable than ever before. As the global leader of low-voltage integrated systems, Crestron provides wired and wireless solutions for environmental and device control that will help make the EMerge vision a reality.

“The commercial marketplace continues to recognize the importance of going green, and it’s a process that requires sophisticated systems integration,” said Steve Samson, Director of Business Development, Crestron Electronics, Inc. “We are pleased to be part of an initiative that endorses integrated technologies that maximize opportunities to conserve energy and promote sustainability in commercial building interiors.”

ROCKLEIGH, NEW JERSEY — Crestron is pleased to announce Steve Samson as its new Director of Business and Market Development. Steve will be responsible for strategic partners (e.g. Microsoft, Cisco, Texas Instruments, Armstrong, etc.) strategic markets (e.g. Hospitality, Healthcare, etc.) and the Integrated Partner Program. Steve comes to Crestron from Tweeter where he served as Vice President of Systems Design and Engineering, and with more than twenty years of industry experience.

“Steve has a vast and wide array of experience and success in our industry,” says Randy Klein, Crestron Executive Vice President. “His skills and accomplishments will certainly be a great asset to our team.”

As Vice President at Tweeter for the last five years, Steve was responsible for creating the Go-To-Market strategies at the core of Tweeter’s solutions-based business, which included sales, installation, merchandizing, overseas manufacturing, store development and training initiatives.

Prior to joining Tweeter, Steve was Founder and President of Savi Technologies, a Florida-based custom design and installation firm for fifteen years. As an industry pioneer in both the residential and commercial markets, Steve was one of the first dealers to adopt the total systems integration concept, blending lighting control and security with high-performance whole house audio/video and home theater systems. Leveraging his engineering background, Steve developed strong, loyal relationships by providing valuable consultation and design services to retailers, manufacturers, architects and developers.

“I am extremely excited to join Crestron in this new role,” says Steve. “I look forward to working with Crestron’s world-class team and valued partners to continue propelling Creston ahead of the curve as the preeminent provider of complete control solutions.”

Steve can be reached at [email protected] or 201-767-3400.

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