Since 2002, Global Caché has made it possible for consumers to automate their lighting, security and entertainment systems by using network-based automation and control software. Now, Global Caché is taking its services a step farther.

For those who don’t want to get out of bed to dim their bedroom lights - but the remote is not handy - the iPad will be able to get the job done just as efficiently.

At the end of last month Global Caché, the award-winning provider of IP and WiFi (News - Alert)-enabling products for homes and businesses, announced it will be teaming with Freewill Automation, a company that provides the software, network and programming expertise to control nearly any system or device with an Apple (News - Alert) iPad. The partnership will extend Global Caché’s services to many iDevice products.

“We’re excited to partner with Global Caché in providing high-end residential and commercial automation solutions,” said Freewill Automation’s Co-owner/Operator George Borghi in a statement. “It’s nice to be in a position to offer sophisticated software-based control interfaces that require no expensive, proprietary automation hardware.” 

“Our competitors, such as Crestron, AMX, and Savant, are each in the business of selling hardware that ultimately adds considerable cost to any project with no advantage, be it, functional, performance or aesthetic,” he added. “This is the future, and we are pretty excited to be part of the leading edge of the direction our industry is moving. Our experience of actually doing many of these installs successfully puts us in the best spot to provide services such as programming and consulting to custom installers.”

From the time it was created, Global Caché honed its mission of bringing “cost-effective, high performance control and automation solutions to everyone, regardless of their tax bracket.”

In order to turn this vision into a reality, the company encouraged control and automation professionals to abandon traditional, high-end proprietary systems, meant only for those with a large disposable income, and embrace more affordable solutions. Global Caché offers products that physically connect multiple devices in a user’s home and/or business to WiFi and Ethernet networks so they can be controlled, automated and maintained by network-based software, including apps and utilities on the iPad, iPhone or Android (News - Alert) smartphone.  Global Caché provides iTach products, IR learners, sensors, IR receivers, an IR blaster and other WiFi and IP-enabling products.

The Los Angeles based Freewill Automation, which “quickly became the world's preeminent experts in iPad automation,”provides software, programming, network and consulting services to technology integrators and dealers moving from traditional proprietary system installations to iDevice systems.

“George, Brian, and their team bring a unique skill set and experience which our dealers and installers can really use,” said Robin Ford, vice president at Global Caché, of the Freewill team. “Very early on they recognized the trend to use the iPhone (News - Alert) and iPad in control environments; not just as a front-end to a big expensive system, but as the actual control system. They’ve successfully deployed some amazing installs and are now offering their experience and expertise to installers who want to move in that direction. I know our installers are going to want to talk to them.”

Last month, Global Caché showed off its latest products at the Consumer Electronics Show.

“"No one else is doing what we're doing," Josh Sherman, a support engineer with the firm, said in a statement. "For the people who know what we do, we are very popular.”