jaroldandrow: UPDATE: Cox Communications to Launch Home Automation

UPDATE following the story: Cox is using the ZigBee-enabled platform that iControl acquired from uControl.

Add Cox Communications to the growing list of cable companies and other service providers who are getting into the home automation and home security business.

First came Comcast/Xfinity Home (formerly Comcast Home Security), then Verizon Home Monitoring and Control, Time Warner Cable and AT&T Digital Life.

CE Pro came across a job description for a vice president, Cox Smart Home Business.

The new executive:

Leads the start-up and scaling of Cox Smart Home business portfolio, including Home Security, Smart Energy, and other potential new managed services that can be offered from the underlying Smart Home platform. As the leader of this new business, the incumbent would be responsible for operating efficiency, market penetration, and financial performance of this new business relative to the business plan.

Judging from the job description, Cox will start out with security and then add energy management and other home-control applications:

?Starting with Home Security, [the VP] builds a roadmap of services (e.g., Smart Energy, Control and Automation) to scale this portfolio to meet or exceed the business plan.?

RELATED: Don?t Trust the Research on Home Automation

Cox then plans to take its new home control platform into ?smart ?office? services.?

The new VP will work out of Cox offices in Atlanta.

Will Cox employ a home automation platform from iControl, Motorola Mobility 4Home? Acquire some platform provider like MiOS (as AT&T did with Xanboo)? Or start from scratch?

We're checking it out ...

UPDATE:

Photo: East Valley Tribune
Judging from the images, Cox Communications is using a ZigBee-enabled self-contained security/automation system from iControl (which acquired the platform from uControl). It is the same solution that is employed by the other cable providers, but not ADT Pulse. The platform is now called OpenHome Converge.

ADT is using iControl's original Z-wave-based platform that utilizes a security system from Interlogix (formerly GE Security) and Honeywell. That platform is called OpenHome Connect.

Compare the two architectures here for original iControl and the new platform acquired from uControl. Please note that the products pictured in the illustration have changed somewhat but the architecture is basically the same.

The East Valley Tribune reports that Cox launched its home security product into the Metro Phoenix market about one month ago, but it's not clear what features have been available. In the pictures, only the traditional alarm functionality is shown on the interface, not the home automation feature set.

The iControl system enables remote monitoring and control of lights, thermostats, surveillance cameras, alarm system and other typical smart-home subsystems.

Erik Evans is Cox's home security project manager and he says that remote access is "what sets it [Cox system] apart from other systems."

Well, not exactly, since virtually all decent home control and security systems offer such a feature.

We located the Cox Home Security landing page, and indeed the company currently is only utilizing iControl's security capabilities. Cox's pricing starts at $99 for a basic security installation (two door/window sensors, one motion detector and a touchscreen interface), with a mandatory three-year contract of $29.99 per month without cameras and $39.99 per month with cameras. That rate applies only to existing Cox customers.

Stay tuned for more!

Position Details
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Leads the start-up and scaling of Cox Smart Home business portfolio, including Home Security, Smart Energy, and other potential new managed services that can be offered from the underlying Smart Home platform. As the leader of this new business, the incumbent would be responsible for operating efficiency, market penetration, and financial performance of this new business relative to the business plan.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides overall leadership to the Smart Home business portfolio.
2. Develops a comprehensive overall Smart Home vision, strategy and plan to start-up and scale this new business portfolio in line with the business plan.
3. Builds the team, develops the operating model, manages engagement with our functional groups and regions, and coordinates the process to deliver the overall business performance goals.
4. Besides working in concert with internal stakeholders (incl. functional groups and regions) also works closely with external business partners to deliver a compelling customer experience.
5. Starting with Home Security, builds a roadmap of services (e.g., Smart Energy, Control and Automation) to scale this portfolio to meet or exceed the business plan.
6. In partnership with Cox Business, explore opportunities to offer Smart "Office" services to further monetize the underlying delivery platform.
7. Supports an organizational structure that focuses on enhancing performance, productivity and service quality, and coordinates with all functions to produce a sound operational model to support growth.
8. Develops and recommends operational plans and budgets and conducts activities in accordance with approved plans and budgets.
9. Working in tandem with leaders in the Regions and across various functional groups, develops and reviews sales plans and programs according to organization policies and actively participates in the formulation of marketing objectives, policies and programs.
10. Drives a customer-centric and innovation-led service orientation to help differentiate Cox Smart Home portfolio relative to traditional and emerging competitors.
11. Maintains favorable relationships with regulatory boards, franchise authorities and within the local community at large.
12. Ensures a participative work environment that will attract and maintain a workforce of talented and satisfied employees.
13. Establishes and maintains relationships with other MSOs, vendors and service providers to optimize Cox's positioning within the Home Automation industry.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. BS/BA required. MBA a plus.
2. Minimum 15 years (total) of related work experience with increasing levels of supervisory and leadership responsibility, preferably in Home Security industry.
3. Functional experience that encompasses some knowledge of marketing, customer service, finance, human resources, government relations, network infrastructure, and operations (including best practices).
4. Proven customer focused project and process management skills.
5. Ability to work independently and proactively develop solutions with minimal guidance.
6. Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills are essential.
7. Superior business acumen and polished presentation skills with advanced PowerPoint experience required.
8. Excellent oral and written communications skills.
Company Overview:
Cox Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. We have a tradition of encouraging a wide diversity of talents through a broad range of hiring practices. Please note those individuals submitting resumes online or by mailing a resume are not considered an applicant for employment until a signed employment application form is completed, usually at the time of interview.
For more information about Cox Communications and its subsidiaries, please click here
http://www.cox.com, http://www.coxmedia.com, http://www.coxbusiness.com.