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Our quarterly winners and employee(s) of the year 2019!

We are very proud to recognise our quarterly winners and employee(s) of the year 2019.

Each of the recipients has displayed one, if not all of Aglo’s values: accountability, innovation, respect and engagement – not to mention going above and beyond their job role. A special mention to our employee(s) of the year, rewarded to both Trudy and Darren whose efforts through 2019 made the decision too difficult to reward to one person.

We are delighted to recognise these individuals amongst our talented team, all of who contribute to the continued success and passionate culture of our business. 

Congratulations to our Quarterly Winners:
Vinay Rubdi 
Reza Kashi 
Astika Saxena 
Mo Tamin

And our Employee(s) of the Year 2019:
Trudy Mortaruolo 
Darren Allen 

 

 

What is Casambi Lighting Control?

Introducing Casambi

Casambi Lighting allows you to control illumination, colour temperature and light colour of your bluetooth­-enabled luminaires via the Casambi app on your smartphone, tablet or smart watch.

Casambi can be used to create effective illumination, transitions, an enhanced environment or product highlighting simply by the swipe of your smart device. The Smart Wireless Casambi technology is integrated into the driver of a compatible Mondolux light fitting using a bluetooth module. Connecting a series of Casambi enabled lights provides users with a fully controllable, wireless mesh network. The intelligence of the system is replicated in every node and, creates a system with no single points of failure.

 

Applications and Benefits

The applications and benefits of the wireless control network are extensive. Possibilities include:

Utilising Casambi, a visual merchandiser can make products look their best, providing retailers with the flexibility to manage their lighting based on the changing product collection, season or mood and increase the colour appearance without expensive electrical work.

A hospitality venue has the ability to easily transition the atmosphere from early evening drinks to fine dining without manual intervention.

An office can enhance their environment by adjusting the illumination levels (or using the handy scheduling feature on the Casambi App to activate a scene at set times – resulting in reduced energy use through automation) for human centric circadian rhythm lighting to promote wellness and productivity (Sunrise to Sunset lighting mode – Warm to cool to warm)

 

Key Features

The key feature of Casambi is that it provides users with the flexibility to manage their lighting without the need of expensive electrical work, wiring or DALI commissioning. Further functionality features of Casambi includes:

  • Light colour: Controlled simply by the app, users can control the RGBW light colour by the tap of a button and save favourites from a colour palette.
  • Colour temperature: Users can manage the colour temperature of their luminaires by simply sliding their finger on top of a luminaire icon.

  • Grouping: Multiple luminaires can be grouped to be controlled altogether or the group can be opened for individual control
  • Scenes: Luminaires for different lighting situations or occasions can be managed by the scenes functionality. The luminaires are controlled with one tap to create the perfect ambience as required.
  • Animations: A dynamic scene; animations can be set to fade from one scene to another scene on a cycle or timer.
  • Gallery: An intuitive control feature; Gallery enables users to preview individually controlled luminaires via uploading an image of the space or floorplan to the app, marking the position of the luminaires and controlling by selecting each fitting.
  • Control hierarchy: The control hierarchy functionality allows for cooperation between manual (push button, the app and switches) and automatic lighting controls (timers and sensors). This functionality enables modifying and overriding of the lighting control system to fit the requirement.
  • Scheduling: The scheduling feature enables scenes and animations to be turned on/off by programming for a certain time, date or days to suit the user’s needs.
  • Sunrise and sunset: Once the networks time zone and location are set, Casambi has the ability to calculate the local sunrise and sunset times.
  • Gateway: By using the Gateway function, a Casambi network can be securely accessed, and controlled remotely.
  • Scalability: Casambi is scalable and can be a solution for one room (for example: a retailer) or for a big building complex (an exhibition centre). Utilising networks, the functionality allows an unlimited number of networks to be created and provides users with the flexibility to turn networks on/off at the same time or on a timer as per the requirements.
  • Synchronisation: Casambi constantly synchronises and self-organises to ensure the pre-set intelligence is replicated in each node, leaving no point of failure.
  • Integration of sensors and push buttons: In addition to control via your smart device, it is possible to integrate Bluetooth-enabled sensors, push buttons and wall switches.

 

Available Options

Aglo Systems provides Casambi controllable options on suitable Mondolux LED downlights, spotlights, pendants, trunking & linear fittings. Including:

  • Tuneable White: Colour temperature controls from 2450K warm white to 6500K cool white.
  • Dim to Warm: Colour temperature warms when dimmed to replicate the colouring of halogen lighting.
  • RGBW: Utilised across Mondolux linear profiles.

 

Want more information?

Click here to request your Casambi quote or call 1300 601 931 to speak with one of our product specialists.

New Mondolux spotlight with in-track driver.. COMING SOON!

Reduce visual bulk with an in-track driver

The latest advancement in LED driver technology now combines the driver and track adapter. This allows Como‘s body to be significantly smaller than older styles of track mounted spotlights of equivalent power. The separated driver also improves thermal management and lengthens the product lifetime. Perfect for retail and commercial applications.

  • State-of-the-art optical system with low glare and soft cut-off
  • 20°, 30°, 60° Beam angle options
  • 3000K, 4000K CCT
  • CRI90
  • 28W

View more technical specs about this fitting via the Mondolux website.

Please call us to enquire about the release date. 

Specsavers Aiming – Before and After

We just completed Aiming services at Rosebud & Southland (VIC) with very good results. Both stores had severe scalloping on entry bulkheads. At Rosebud we fixed this issue by slightly aiming the downlights toward the mall. At Southland we installed diffuser material on the downlights to wash the bulkhead with light and reduce scalloping.

 

Before-Aiming-Specsavers

BEFORE AIMING:
– Harsh scalloping on bulkhead
– Banners above wallbays not lit
– Hot spot between gondolas (downlights not correctly aimed)
– Scalloping above rear graphic/not highlighted

 

Specsavers-Aiming-News

AFTER AIMING:
– Harsh Scalloping reduced
– Banners above wallbays properly lit
– Hot spot between gondolas reduced
– Scalloping above rear graphic removed, re-aimed to illuminate graphic evenly

 

 Contact us about our aiming services for your project.

The Importance of Correct Aiming

Effective store illumination and product highlighting creates a positive customer experience and improves sales.

The beam angle of a light fitting is equally as important as the position and distance to the illuminated object. Lights must be aimed according to the lighting design. Without the proper aiming, products appear dull with low shelf appeal and the store has an inferior overall ambience.

Aglo Systems provides a professional aiming service to ensure our lighting designs and fittings display an optimal result. Watch the video for a demonstration of a retail environment before and after our light aiming service.

Author: Matesse WOOD

Fourteen watts per square metre: Horror Vs Reality

When the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released its new National Construction Code J6 requirements for lighting, most people in the lighting community were shocked. It raised the question: how we can achieve these targets? Will it affect visual comfort, safety and achievable light levels? One of the biggest changes is the IPD allowance (Illumination Power Density) for retail spaces, being reduced from 22W/m2 down to 14W/m2.

Every few years the ABCB reviews the construction code to address current issues the industry is facing. This is mainly due to leaps in technology but also to address building efficiency without compromising safety. Lighting technology is rapidly changing, and we have come a long way from incandescent and fluorescent lamps. Throughout that time, the building codes have adapted to new technologies and changes have been made in regard to how much energy we can use in various spaces. LED technology started a new era of lighting. As it gained popularity among the lighting community, manufacturers found new ways of increasing the efficiency of LEDs. As a result, we can achieve higher light levels for the same amount of power used previously. 

Building codes are evaluated in such a way that watts per square metre levels correlate to recommended lighting level requirements of the Australian Standard (AS1680). For example, a typical office environment requires 320lux at the working plane with a maximum IPD allowance of 4.5W/m2.

A few years ago, your average LED chip could deliver 80-100lm/W. Today, we have LED chips which have efficacies of around 130lm/W to 160lm/W. That is roughly a 60% increase in efficiency. Therefore, we use less power (in the range of 20%-30%).

So, if things are balanced out evenly, what is the big fuss in the design community about the new IPD? It’s all about using highly efficient luminaires and understanding the J6 calculations.

Aglo Systems understands the intricacies of the National Construction Code. We supply a range of light fittings that are energy efficient with high lumen output. With these luminaires installed to our lighting design calculations, compliance with the new code is assured.

The lighting design team at Aglo will work with you to ensure NCC19 has a minimal impact on your clients’ stores and using the latest technologies will enhance the store to its maximum effect.

For new and refurbished projects, National Construction Code changes will apply on 1 May 2020, however, they can be applied voluntarily between 1 May 2019 and 1 May 2020.

Contact us now to review your next project.

National Awards for Excellence in Lighting 2019

Aglo scores two lighting award nominations

The National Awards for excellence in Lighting is an Industry event hosted by Lighting Council Australia. It recognises leaders of the lighting industry and celebrates their success with an evening of great food and entertainment. This years’ event was held on 28 May at Doltone House Hyde Park, Sydney.

Aglo Systems is proud to be represented at the awards with two staff nominated for their achievements in the Evolt Young Achievement Award category. Congratulations to James Meikle, Design Engineer in the Custom Design and Manufacturing team, and Nari Lee, Lighting Design Manager.

The joint winners of that category were Gemma Smallfield – Empyrean Lighting and Ariel Avner – Azoogi

“At Aglo we recognise the efforts and achievements of our younger staff coming through our company. The future is built on nurturing the next generation” says Pat Galvin, Aglo Systems Managing Director.

Retail Lighting Compliance

Big changes on the horizon for retail lighting compliance

The changes to the National Construction Code 2019 Part J6 aim to restrict the Illumination Power Density (IPD) for various spaces (expressed as Watts per square metre). These energy efficiency provisions significantly impact our clients, so it is vital that lighting designers, architects and specifiers gain a thorough understanding of the new rules.

The IPD allowance for retail spaces has been slashed to 14W/m2 down from 22W/m2 and back of house storage areas has been reduced significantly to 1.5W/m2 from 8W/m2. Retailers must abide by this code when considering their store interior design and brand guidelines for new store fit outs.

Sounds scary? Well it’s not. Our team of lighting designers will work with you to ensure these changes have minimal impact on your stores and in most cases an increased allowance for lighting can be achievable.

There are a number of adjustment factors which can be applied when checking that a project complies with NCC Part J6, such as the colour rendering index (CRI), colour temperature (CCT), room aspect ratio & the use of lighting control devices (dimmers & sensors). Some exemptions apply to the new NCC Part J6 requirements. These include Fixed Display Cases & Green Walls, where the lighting is solely used for indoor plant growth.

For new and refurbished projects, these changes will apply on 1 May 2020, however, they can be applied voluntarily between 1 May 2019 and 1 May 2020.

“Our team at Aglo are dedicated to ‘Continually Improving your lighting experience’, even when the going gets tough. Our team of designers and lighting professionals are equipped to guide you through these new requirements and ensure your project not only meets the new standards but accomplishes the desired lighting result.” Says Pat Galvin, Managing Director of Aglo Systems.

Contact our team to determine how the J6 IPD changes affect your project.

Written by James Gower, Aglo Systems Lighting Designer.

VEET is now named VEU

The Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme underwent a makeover on 10 Dec 2018, with new regulations, a new online presence and a new name. The Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme will be officially known across the commission’s websites and documentation as the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.

The Victorian Energy Upgrades program is helping Victorians cut power bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by giving households and businesses access to discounted energy-efficient products and services. Accredited providers that deliver these financial incentives can generate Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs).

Ask our Lighting Upgrades Team about how you can reduce your energy usage while improving your lighting quality.

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