SYDNEY - August 7, 2000 - Cisco Systems today announced two major initiatives to bring the benefits and opportunities of the Internet to Australian homes. Cisco will partner with Lend Lease, NSW Department of Information Technology and Management (DITM), AAPT, Crestron, Soundcorp Pty. Limited, Len Wallis Audio, and Clipsal Integrated Systems to build an Internet-enabled home and to establish an Internet Home Industry Development Centre. The partners will also collaborate with home appliance and technology vendors to showcase the delivery of online government and lifestyle services to the home, including commerce, health and education, as well as Internet shopping and banking.
The Internet-enabled home will be located at Lend Lease's Jacksons Landing development in Sydney. Called the 'iHOME', this life-like residence will showcase a range of Internet-enabled household technologies and appliances which are available today and which will become the norm in homes worldwide. These include smart appliances, lighting and utilities, home entertainment, communication and security solutions, all of which will be connected to, and controlled using Clipsal C-Bus and the Crestron wireless touchpanel. When not at home, family members can communicate with the iHOME via the Internet to control all systems and appliances. The iHOME will be connected to the Internet using AAPT's broadband services.
Cisco's Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand, Terry Walsh, said people will be able to observe the iHOME and understand how the Internet can improve their living environment - making their home a more secure, functional, accessible, convenient and entertaining place to live.
"The Internet is being used more and more in a work environment to help organisations function better, become more profitable, and be more productive," Mr Walsh said. "The iHOME will show how the Internet will transform the way we live, expanding our access to lifestyle information and services, and improving our overall quality of life."
The Cisco iHOME will be open for customer and media visits from early November 2000.
The Internet Home Industry Development Centre will support and encourage Australian organisations to showcase, develop and test home and building technology. Located at Cisco's office building at 80 Pacific Highway, North Sydney, the Centre will accommodate a full range of Internet home technologies and appliances for display and for testing in a simulated home environment. The centre will also be used as a home networking training facility for students in the Cisco Networking Academies program.
The Internet Home Industry Development Centre will be open to the industry and media in early 2001.
"The iHOME represents our commitment to support an Internet lifestyle in our developments," said Ron Cutler, Project Director, Lend Lease. "This is a growth market and we want to be involved from the ground up to be Australia's leading Internet property developer."
Terry Walsh concluded the iHOME is an exciting example of what is made possible through high-speed Internet access to the home. "Our research predicts that 50 per cent of all Australian households will have broadband access by 2005. The lifestyle benefits and opportunities of always-on, high-speed Internet connection need no longer be a dream," he said.
Related Cisco Internet Home Projects
Cisco UK Internet Home www.cisco.com/warp/public/3/uk/ihome/.
About Lend Lease
The Lend Lease Group (ASX: LLC) is an integrated global real estate funds management and services Group. It operates on six continents in the areas of real estate funds management including equity and debt origination and management, project management and construction and property development. Through its global real estate investment management business, Lend Lease ranks as one of the largest real estate investment managers in the world.
Lend Lease Development has been at the forefront of creating world class communities throughout Australia for over 4 decades. It is now a leader in the development of large complex projects which range from master-planned communities, region town centres through to key commercial projects which span many of the capital cities across the nation. Currently Lend Lease has 13 projects underway, nearing completion or in the final stages of planning throughout Australia. These include the award winning Twin Waters Residential Community and the $2.2 billion Northlakes projects in Queensland through to the landmark Aurora Place and Jacksons Landing project in Sydney.
About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at www.cisco.com.
# # #
Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
