The Verve® Key Card Switch is one of the simplest, most economical ways to save energy through occupancy based control of lighting, HVAC and miscellaneous electric loads. The switch is self-powered and the simple act of inserting or removing the card generates enough energy to send a wireless signal to other Verve devices within the room. To operate the switch, guests simply insert their key card in the slot when they enter the room and then remove it when they leave. The key card switch is wireless and can be installed in minutes without having to drill into the wall or run additional wiring. — Photo by Zeno Controls, LLC

Acquisition makes ZENO the only hospitality energy-management system and in-room controls provider to operate on both ZigBee and EnOcean technology platforms offering superior flexibility and control of all guest touch-points in the room

[Buffalo, NY - October 3, 2012]  ZENO Controls LLC,developer of the ZENO wireless gateway and universal controller, provides energy savings and management solutions to the hospitality industry andhas recently acquired Verve Living Systems, developer of energy-efficient guestroom control products for hotels.. Verve was the recipient of the "Editor's Choice Award for Best Green Technology Product" during the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IHMRS) for its self-powered wireless Keycard Switch. Through this acquisition, ZENO becomes the only energy-management and in-room controls provider to support both EnOcean and ZigBee technologies to deliver the most flexible, wireless performance platform on the market.

The Verve product line includes 27 products, ranging from switches and sensors to thermostats, , occupancy sensors, HVAC, lighting and load control. These components work together to determine the occupancy state of a room and can automatically setback temperatures and/or turn off lights and other electrical loads, saving energy when the room is not occupied. The ZENO wireless gateway will bring all these individual products online without heavy investment in application engineering and software programming.

Verve uses wireless sensors and control products to affordably generate energy-saving solutions for controlling HVAC, lighting and miscellaneous electric loads in guestrooms. Verve products communicate using the EnOcean wireless protocol, and can be combined to create a wide range of scalable solutions enabling hotels to install a complete energy-saving system or target specific needs for new or existing properties of any size.

ZENO is built on the reliable ZigBee™ Alliance high-security open platform which meets powerful IEEE 802.15.4 physical radio standards and operates worldwide at 2.4GHz. ZigBee is the only wireless, high-security open standards-based technology that addresses the unique needs of remote monitoring and access-control network applications.

"Today hotels have the added bonus of accessing the two most powerful and secure platforms on the market to streamline communication and bring room controls to the cloud for enhanced energy control and guest satisfaction," said Joshua Alper, ZENO Controls LLC General Manager. "Through this acquisition, hotels can control energy and lighting using the award-winning Verve® Keycard Switch which can connect to the ZENO wireless gateway, making the once stand-alone solution now an online, networked system. By giving Verve centralized control in the cloud, we are enabling hotel owners and building managers to use low-power consumption technology to communicate with in-room control systems, including lights and door locks, to better manage energy based on occupancy.

"The name of the game today is two-way communications, and that's exactly what we are bringing to hospitality operations – from hotels to cruise ships – in the very near future," he said. "Whether businesses want a fully integrated package or simply lighting controls, ZENO has a powerful, secure and cost-efficient package for all."

Verve corporate headquarters will be with ZENO Controls, in Buffalo, NY. National Sales office will be based in Chicago. ZENO will continue to sell the Verve products in the hospitality market under the name of Verve Living Systems.

For more information on ZENO Control Systems LLC, visit www.zenocontrols.com.

For a complete listing of all Verve products, visis www.vervelivingsystems.com.

About Verve

Verve Living Systems manufactures energy-efficiency control products that enable simple and affordable control of lighting, temperature and electrical loads in new and existing buildings. Based on both wireless and energy harvesting technologies, Verve sensors are wireless and battery-less, making them cost effective and eco-friendly. Verve product solutions can provide an effective return on investment through energy savings without compromising occupant comfort. Verve Living Systems is headquartered in Buffalo NY, with offices in Chicago, Florida, Utah and California.

About ZENO Controls LLC and Verve Living Systems®

ZENO Controls LLC is a company providing wireless gateways that connect families of intelligent devices to central controls. ZENO provides packaged solutions that include pre-configured, pre-scripted and pre-linked lighting and HVAC system controls. The end-devices, hardware/firmware and software components perform as a Complete Building Management System, or as a Wireless Device Gateway to existing communication protocols such as BACnet. ZENO is headquartered in Buffalo NY. Verve Living Systems® provides energy-efficiency control products that enable simple and affordable control of lighting, temperature and electrical loads in new and existing buildings. Based on wireless and energy harvesting technologies, Verve Living Systems® sensors are wireless and battery-less, making them cost effective and eco-friendly. Verve Living Systems® product solutions can provide an effective return on investment through energy savings without compromising occupant comfort. Verve Living Systems® is headquartered in Buffalo, NY.

Joshua Alper
(312) 296-8910