Crap! I was really looking into a phased-in ALC installation over 2-3 years. I don't want to buy a product that won't be around nor will I do anything wireless. Now back to the drawing board to look for something wired and at a reasonable price.
We should try to get Tony from Setnet to comment on this prediction. . .
I met with an OnQ Vice President two weeks ago on this very topic. He traveled from PA to SC to share the future of ALC. What you heard is partially true! But the product will live on. And it will actually grow.
You will also see that OnQ Legrand will change it's name to Legrand soon. The people who will continue the ALC line are deeply rooted in the OnQ side and look forward to the future of ALC. While these players will not be known as OnQ or Legrand, they are the right people to run the ball based on their previous involvment with the product.
ALC will continue to be manufactured and there is even talk about the creation of more scene switches (possibly a touchscreen), a high wattage dimmer and a switch that handles Compact Flourescants. All warranties will be supported as before.
Since OnQ Legrand bought Vantage, they have not given much thought to ALC and less marketing support. As such, it has not grown much. Neither in market share or in the area of new products. I have recently spent time with the people who will now run the ball and am encouraged that a fine product will finally get some attention. I too will continue to play a role in the future of ALC.
Currently issues like where the molds are physically located (now located in China and Taiwan) is causing the passing of the baton to move slowly. During this transistion you will see no change to the line as relates to the shipping of products. But what you may see is less distributors stocking the product due to mis-conceptions and poor communication (what's new there).
Instead of bad news, this all came as good news to me. I am very encouraged about this as ALC will finally be allowed to breath. There are things I am not at liberty to quote, but want you all to believe that something good lay ahead.
The marketing efforts will be the biggest battle. The product suits new construction best and as you all know, there is little movement there. The technical minds that are taking over are up to the challenges of product support and development. But how the word spreads will be another issue.
If you hear little from OnQ about ALC after Cedia then you know why. Contact me, I have my thumb on the pulse.
Lastly, I am now approaching 700 switches that I myself have installed in the last 18 months. And with the exception of a few rockers that need to be reseated, there have been ZERO failures. So, the product is solid and now the future is stronger than it would have ever been with Legrand.
I will come back with more as things development. Meantime, business as usual!
Tony Stewart
But the good news is that baton is passing to some people who have been involved with the product since it's creation. All warranties will
