How Crestron integrates and interfaces with third parties
Integration is now expected
The key to successful yacht technology is integration and the potential of a fully integrated technology system should be limitless. As owners expect more and more from their AV system, security, lighting, shades, HVAC, networking and navigation interfaces, it is paramount that the control system on board can handle these various technologies.
For integration to work at its best, all the user interfaces onboard need to communicate to the control system. In turn the control system needs to communicate with all the subsystems such as lighting, environmental controls, communication, navigation and AV sources. Strong compatibility between equipment and systems equals a seamless user experience every time.
For example, with intelligent programming and location detection systems you can now ensure that everything will start automatically when you enter the room, and shut down when no longer in use. This will make the system work more intuitively and efficiently.
Technological monitoring and management tools can also be deployed to provide a clear overview of the status of all the systems on board. This enables the person in charge of the installation to easily adjust the system to new wishes of the guests, as well as address potential issues quickly.
Working together as a single system
It is clear that control systems must be able to seamlessly integrate 3rd party equipment. Crestron is one company that makes this a priority. Our scalable control systems have an open architecture, IP-based platform with network grade appliances. Our products are purpose-based and engineered to work together as a single system.
Crestron 3-Series Control systems
The 3-Series platform is a revolutionary engineering advancement in integrated control and automation technology. More than just a control processor, Crestron 3-Series is an integrated yachting management platform, capable of unifying the various technologies within a vessel to operate as a single, intelligent system rather than in silos as separate systems.
Distributed Architecture
3-Series’ unique distributed architecture enables multi-tasking, essential to an integrated solution. Up to 10 programs can operate independently and simultaneously. The central logic engine facilitates rapid communication among all the programs and controllers so they function intelligently as a single system.
The distributed architecture makes programming, troubleshooting and uploading much faster and easier because the code is organised into a few smaller programs rather than one large program. More importantly, program updates won’t disable the entire system. Changes can be made and uploaded to one program while all the other programs continue to operate seamlessly in the background.
By working with a custom-built system such as Crestron you will find unlimited technical opportunities. We can integrate with anything, from digital mobile radio systems to alarms, streaming solutions and crew call solutions.
How do we do it?
Let’s look at the control system as an interpreter. On the front end of the system you will see a mixture of devices that we call user interfaces. This includes light switches, keypads, touchscreens, iPads and iPhones, and even Amazon Alexa speech recognition, or any other interface you wish to use. These interfaces all communicate back to the control system, and show the feedback of the current status.
On the back end of the control system we see a large variety of subsystems. These systems all have their own native language, and a certain set of words they understand and can communicate back to us with. The real power of the control system lies in the fact that this single device can talk all these languages simultaneously! For example, with the touch of a button it can start talking in German to your HVAC systems, as well as in English to your AV system, and in Turkish to your blinds. This would result in the yacht going into sleep mode, closing curtains, turning of lights, and saving energy.
Here are a few examples where Crestron is already collaborating seamlessly with others:
YachtEye Oculus
Oculus Technologies specialises in infotainment for the Yacht, Cruise and Aviation industries. Its unique YachtEye system intuitively shares valuable insights about a yacht’s journey, the stay on board and its environment. Renowned for its expertise in hardware, software and design, Oculus Technologies boasts a fast-growing product portfolio focused on innovation, creativity and cutting-edge technology. Integration with Crestron enables the owners and guests to fully benefit from all the information held in the Yachteye installation.
Kaleidescape
Kaleidescape is a Video On Demand system, an online movie store which offers thousands of movies and TV seasons in Blu-ray quality and feature films in true 4K Ultra HD. Kaleidescape provides control modules for Crestron controllers as well as templates for Crestron touch panels. These Modules provide full 2 way integration between the Crestron processor and Kaleidescape system. Owners can fully use the Kaleidescape onscreen display (OSD), as well as select the desired movie or music from a Crestron touch panel or keypad.
CST Limited
Call Systems Technology (CST) is a provider of communication technology and software solutions in the marine environment. Their Crew call systems are easy to use and operate and seamlessly integrate with the luxury surroundings of a yacht environment. Crestron can integrate this system into its user interfaces, so making a crew call from any of our interfaces is quick and easy.
Heinen & Hopman
A renowned designer and manufacturer of HVAC-R products, Heinen & Hopman have developed yacht HVAC systems that improve onboard ambience through insulation, absorption and low air speeds. Integration with Crestron means the owner and guests can easily adjust the climate on board themselves.
VesselWatch
Developed by Net-Logic Marine VesselWatch is intelligent software that expands the capabilities of two-way radio systems. It offers a series of alarm and monitoring applications which can alert to a variety of situations relating to safety, hospitality, security and management. For example, safety issues such as adverse changes to the vessel, weather or personal situations like man overboard, can all be monitored and fully integrated with the Crestron system on-board through the creation of a Crestron module.
