Control Concepts’ New Remote Control iPad™ Mobile App For Crestron Systems Now Available on iTunes®

May 23, 2011
Steve Greenblatt

CrestDiag^® Enables IT and AV Technical Support Pros to Troubleshoot Crestron’s Professional MC3 and PRO2 AV Control Systems Remotely

FAIR LAWN, NJ – May 23, 2011 – Control Concepts, Inc. (CCI), a leading independent provider of audiovisual control system solutions, today introduced CrestDiag^®, a new remote control application that enables trained professional audio visual control system programmers to monitor, diagnose and troubleshoot Crestron 2-Series PRO2 and 3-series MC3 AV control systems via their Apple^® iPad.

The CrestDiag app is a diagnostic tool for monitoring programmed string, digital and analog signals. It allows the user to simulate these signals in order to debug Crestron control programs from an iPad connected via WiFi. The new app is available for immediate download on iTunes for $1.99. The company also announced that a new version of CrestDiag for the iPhone^® is expected to be available by the end of June.

“Today’s IT and AV managers are looking for solutions that increase efficiency, flexibility and responsiveness,” said Crestron Director of Marketing, Vincent Bruno. “CrestDiag accomplishes this and allows mobile tech support for AV controls to be conducted with anytime, anywhere.”

“We already made it easy for clients to monitor and manage their homes and businesses with our Mobile Pro^® G app for the iPad. Now with CrestDiag it’s easier for programmers and installers to run real-time diagnostics with the mobility provided by an iPad,” said Crestron VP of Technology, Fred Bargetzi.

Key features of the new CrestDiag mobile app include:

A “search” icon on the front screen of the app locates all controllers on the network and lists their IP addresses. Controllers can also be entered manually.
Once identified, controllers can be saved via the Favorites Tab.
Once connected to the controller, users have the ability to monitor the device events and control or emulate any device.
To monitor the device events (notifications), the user selects the signals via the string, digital and analog tabs and assign them to the watch list.

Once signals have been assigned to the watch list and notifications enabled, users can browse the notification history items. The history provides vital information to technicians and/or programmers attempting to debug and diagnose the control system. When selecting the history, all system details are displayed on screen for reference.
Selecting a signal from the watch list displays the controls for that signal. Once the user has access to these controls, they can simulate these signals in order to test their code.

“Our customers are increasingly challenged by the complexity of the audio visual installation projects needed to satisfy their user communities’ growing demand for digital and mobile-related services,” said Steve Greenblatt, Control Concepts’ Founder and President. “Putting mobile technology into the hands of the tech support staff makes it faster and less costly to keep these AV installations running as intended. As a Crestron Authorized Independent Programmer, we’re pleased to offer this first-of-a-kind iPad app for remotely monitoring and troubleshooting AV control programs running on Crestron systems.”

Crestron’s new generation MC3, the first 3-Series™ Control System powered by Core 3 OS, features a modular, layered programming architecture similar to an IT platform. This innovative platform design enables 10 independent programs to run simultaneously, delivering faster, more powerful home control and building management systems.

Crestron’s flagship 2-Series Control Systems (PRO2) are the brain of a complete integrated AV or automation solution, designed for medium to large-scale commercial and residential control applications. Every audio, video, and environmental element of the home, boardroom, classroom, or command center may be integrated and made accessible through the control system.

For more information about CrestDiag, including the latest on availability of the iPhone version, please subscribe to the CCI newsletter or visit the CCI web site at http://www.controlconcepts.net.

About Control Concepts, Inc.

Control Concepts, Inc. (CCI) is a leading independent provider of audiovisual control system solutions. Its team of experienced professionals creates high quality, intuitive control programming designs for complex AV systems. Control Concepts combines its thorough, proven design and development process with audiovisual science to make AV systems easy to use in boardrooms, classrooms, and entertainment venues. CCI’s solutions help consultants, integrators and end user technology managers reduce the business risks associated with complex projects. The company’s services include control system programming, touchpanel design, consulting and needs analysis, documentation, system staging, testing and commissioning, and technical support. CCI helps clients to create advanced AV systems that offer the benefits of Green AV and energy-saving practices, remote room management, building automation, HD signal distribution, lighting control and more. Control Concepts focuses on several vertical markets, including higher education, financial services, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, entertainment, legal and government. Founded in 1997 and based in Fair Lawn, NJ, CCI is dedicated to serving clients throughout North America. For more information, visit the CCI web site at http://www.controlconcepts.net/aboutus.php.

Press Contact:

Steve Parker
Parker Communications for Control Concepts
sparker@parkercomms.com
978-975-7339