The practice of designing intelligent buildings is holistic, so all of Griffin Hall’s low voltage systems will be fully integrated and interactive. It represents everything from the generation and gathering of raw data from the electrical, mechanical, security and other systems, to the interaction of users with the display of content. The proposed intelligent building will be designed to grow with future advances in technology so that it remains cutting edge even as technology progresses. The NKU smart building is an all new $55 million, high-tech Center for Informatics, which combines all information-related disciplines under one college. The center is expected to drive information-related business growth within the surrounding area and will house some of the most advanced technology of its kind in the Midwest region.

This project leverages the teaming effort between Smart Buildings LLC and Beacon Enterprise Solutions. This is first project awarded as a result of the teaming agreement announced on November 3, 2009, with Beacon serving as the lead consulting firm and partnering with Smart Buildings in the delivery of professional services. “Smart Buildings LCC and Beacon Solutions are excited to be working together on this innovative smart building project for NKU,” said Jerry Bowman, Sr. Vice President Global Services of Beacon Solutions. “This kind of project represents the future of the built environment on a global basis. In essence, Beacon is orchestrating a unified effort among the traditional architectural and engineering team to ensure that the design employs global best practices and meets the NKU Informatics Center expectations for a perpetually smart building.”

The Informatics Center will include several high-tech facilities including a Computer Assisted Virtual Environment (CAVE) that will be available for businesses to use for product development. While several large corporations have their own CAVEs for research and development, the CAVE at NKU’s Center for Informatics will be one of only a few CAVEs in the world available for public use. The Center will also boast a Digitorium that will be packed with high-definition and three-dimensional screens and cameras capable of running complex simulations in homeland security, computer security and financial security. The Digitorium can double as a Network Operations Center (NOC) that will allow broad use by a variety of private and government sectors. Expected to be completed in May 2011, the building will add more than two dozen classrooms to the 124 currently on campus and will be the most environmentally friendly building at NKU. In addition to being home to some of the most advanced digital technology available, the Center for Informatics is expected to qualify for LEED Silver certification.

“The Center for Informatics at NKU is poised to be one of the most highly-sophisticated smart buildings of its kind in the Mid-west,” said Bruce Widener, CEO of Beacon Solutions. “We look forward to providing updates to our shareholders on the status of this project as it unfolds, as well as bringing news of additional smart building projects that we’ve had in the works as they become announceable in the coming weeks and months.”

About Smart Buildings LLC

Smart Buildings LLC, is a professional consulting and engineering firm focused on integrated building systems, technology and energy management systems. Company headquarters is in Austin, Texas, with additional offices in Denver, Charlotte and Miami. Smart Buildings specializes in the design of integrated cabling, building, communication, energy and enterprise management systems for new construction and system assessment, commissioning, and energy improvement of existing buildings. The company has a legacy spanning 27 years and is recognized as an industry leader with expertise across multiple building systems and extensive experience with the design, construction and operation of buildings. Smart Building’s excellent execution is evidenced in its projects that have received international awards for integrated systems, automation and connectivity. Smart Buildings has significant international project experience as well.

About Beacon Enterprise Solutions Group, Inc.

Beacon Enterprise Solutions Group is an emerging global leader in the design, implementation and management of high performance Information Technology Systems (“ITS”) infrastructure solutions. Beacon offers fully integrated, turnkey IT infrastructure solutions capable of fully servicing the largest companies in the world as they increasingly outsource to reduce costs while optimizing critical IT design and infrastructure management. Through an integrated team approach, Beacon offers a broad range of products and services including IT infrastructure design, implementation and management, application development and voice/data/security system integration, installation and maintenance. Beacon’s client roster includes state and local agencies, educational institutions, and over 4,000 companies ranging in size from mid-sized companies to the Fortune 500. Beacon is headquartered in Louisville, Ky., with regional headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and Zurich, Switzerland and personnel located throughout the United States and Europe.

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