Universal Devices

Bunch of geeks got together and decided to make all homes really smart, energy efficient, and cool. So, we invented the first ever low cost ($199) embedded home automation controller in 2007. It was called ISY26 with the MSRP of $199.00! We have come a long way: ‒ Patented technology that integrates the customer, the grid, and things ‒ Many paying utility contracts, pilots, and contacts ‒ OEM for large organizations ‒ Proven and go-to-subject-matter-experts in energy, automation, and things ‒ 60K+ units in the field ‒ 30K+ registered users , cloud services subscribers, and community members ‒ Thriving and diehard developer community (95+ subscribing developers) ‒ Our customers love us

Why is your company the best option to solve the problem you're solving?

Barring having unlimited energy storage, electrification requires real-time and coordinated optimization of the grid and the things. And, specifically, things that either generate energy or use a lot of it. This said, the things are in customers' home and are generally those that provide the customer with comfort and improved quality of life. In order for the customer to have an acceptable level of comfort, while helping the grid balance itself, a sequence of activities must take place that optimize the operation of things based on the customer's preferences and grid conditions. And, therefore, the only solution that can meet these requirements must be affordable while having native support for Things (everything), the Smart Grid, and Automation. Polisy is the only product in the market that brings the Smart Grid, IoT, and Automation under one platform.

What nuggets of info make you interesting? Why do people care about what you're doing?

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires Electrification. And, study after study shows grid reliability and resilience is becoming increasingly challenging in this age of Electrification. In this age where billions of things can not only use energy but also to generate, store, or even convert between forms of energy, the customer is an equal partner in balancing the grid between supply and demand. And, fortunately, not all customers are engineers or have degrees in operations research. Nor do they want to be forced to yank out their existing things, hire professional installers, or be bothered with charts, graphs, or notifications to figure out what needs to be done. What customers need is a platform that helps them to easily automate their energy bill savings goals, using their existing things, while helping the grid balance itself. Automatically. No fiddling. No babysitting. Our patented technology and platform, Polisy™, does precisely that by bringing things, the grid, and the customer under one platform. Polisy™ comprises hardware, subscription-based services, and a store wherein Polis are sold. Polisy™ to a Poli is analogous to iPhone to an App. But, unlike iPhone, in addition to improving quality of life, Polisy™ helps the environment.

What else do you want us to know?

ISY, Polyglot, and Polisy (Polyglot + ISY). Who else can come up with these easily pronounced and viral product names but geniuses in branding and marketing? Once a geek always a geek.

What one book, podcast, newsletter, etc. do you recommend to other entrepreneurs? Why?

No books unless you find a book that was written by your doppelgänger in the same situation as you are in now. You need to write your own book because you have your own experiences, strengths, and weaknesses. This said, if you are technical, don't put your head in the sand and hope that no one else is doing what you do. Stay tuned. Stay current. Stay ahead. No matter what it takes.

What is your company's secret sauce?

Patented technology allows integration of anything into the platform and ecosystem. And, this platform and ecosystem would have been completely useless had it not been for our 100+ third party developers and 30K+ community members.

What inspired you to start/run this company?

Smart Home was an exclusive right of the rich and the famous circa 2005. So, either I should have focused on getting rich quickly or concentrated on making smart homes available to everyone.

What's the best entrepreneurial advice you've received?

"You cannot catch two rabbits with one hand. (focus) You cannot catch a cheetah walking. (flexibility | agility)"

What's the worst entrepreneurial advice you've received?

Increase your revenue by any means including those that are not in alignment with your vision.

What sets your company culture apart?

"We truly believe we are nothing without our customers and our developers. We truly believe in, and practice, doing the right thing even if it's harder. And, most importantly, we are still geeks who love imagining things and bringing them into life."