HTINews RELEASE

Cutter Information Corp.
37 Broadway, Suite 1 Arlington, MA 02174
Contact: Carolyn Licata, (617) 641)5118

New Report Links Home Automation and Utility Customer Services

Cutter Information Corp. announces the publication of a new report, "Home Automation and Utility Customer Services." Written by industry insider Ken Wacks, the dramatic new document covers the home automation industry from basement to attic, and provides an in)depth look at the synergies available between the home automation industry and energy utilities.

New technologies promise home automation capabilities at lower costs than ever before. Busy families and those with physical limitations represent a fertile market for the new technologies. Utilities, faced with fierce competition in a rapidly changing, deregulated business environment, are looking to deliver new customer services.

The confluence of these three trends presents a short term window of opportunity for utilities, consumer electronics companies and appliance manufacturers to gain early entry to a field about to explode with possibilities. To seize the moment requires an understanding of the history, technologies, the infrastructures, and markets of the home automation industry. That's what Wacks' report provides.

History

Wacks traces the history of the industry from the home hobbyist phase of the 1960's through the recognition of home automation as a potential market bonanza in the mid)1980's to its current status poised on the threshold of becoming a billion dollar market.

Infrastructures and standards

His report covers the major infrastructures and standards that are vying for dominance in the nascent industry. Learn how the Consumer Electronics Bus (CEBus) an open standard developed by the Electronics Industries Association (EIA) differs from LonWorks technology of Echelon Corporation. See which utilities are supporting each approach, and see how they compare to SMART HOUSE, X)10, BatiBUS, European Home System, European Installation Bus, and Japan's Home Bus System.

A billion)dollar market?

Current market estimates range from several millions of dollars to one)billion dollars or more. Whatever the real number may be, product announcements, corporate research reports, marketing of wiring infrastructures for homes, publications aimed at the home automation industry, and exploration by energy utilities of new customer services based on home automation all indicate that theTindustry will be influenced by the housing market, consumer demand, the trend to home offices, and demographic trends as the baby boom ages.

The technology

But just what kinds of technology go into home automation? There's communications))learn why digital is the way to go; local area networks))follow the evolution to LAN standards; communications protocols and media))find out how fast data can be transferred and what's the best way to carry that data. A special appendix discusses the challenges and promises of power line carrier communications))one of the keys to successful, low cost home automation.

What should utilities do?

And then there's the utility connection. With the coming of a competitive environment, utilities are seeking to diversify their product offerings beyond energy. Value)added services, extending to home automation, represent the chief means for utilities to differentiate themselves. Find out how utilities must struggle to balance the need to maintain a return on shareholder equity, conform to local and Federal regulations, and survive in a competitive environment. Discover possible strategies that adventurous and conservative utilities can take to secure their place in the new environment.

The players

The report also covers the major players in the industry))learn who they are and find out about their major activities and strategies. An appendix to the report provides contact information for 40 of the major companies and organizations that are helping to shape the field.

The report is available now, for $485. To order, or get more information, contact: Carolyn Licata, Cutter Information Corp., 37 Broadway, Suite 1, Arlington, MA 02174; (617) 641)5108, Fax: (617) 648)8707, E)mail: clicata@cutter.com

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