Olibra — makers of the Bond Bridge RF-to-WiFi control platform — has announced that Progressive Screens has begun marketing two co-developed control solutions for their MagnaTrack series of motorized outdoor screens.
Olibra’s Bond Bridge Pro consolidates and unifies control of motorized indoor and outdoor shades, screens, awnings, ceiling fans, and gas fireplaces. Driven by Gaposa and Somfy motors, Progressive Screens’ patented MagnaTrack Defender Hurricane, Vinyl, Solar and Insect screens are used in wide variety of residential and commercial applications.
Born from the Bond Bridge Pro and tailored to the specific needs of the MagnaTrack dealers and their clientele, the companies developed the MagnaTrack Bridge BD-1720 and step-up Bridge BD-1740. Each product controls up to 50 MagnaTrack screens in a 3,500 sq. ft. location, and on larger jobs multiples can be used. The BD-1740 adds POE connectivity and control of ceiling fans and fireplaces. The bridges can be installed on the wall or ceiling, yet do not require any wiring.
Labeled MagnaTrack Powered by Bond, beginning April 2023, the bridges now become MagnaTrack’s sole hubs for control. This ranges from smartphone control to full integration with Apple Home Kit, Control4, Crestron, Elan, Savant, RTI, URC, Homebridge, and Hubitat.
The Bond Home App for smartphones and tablets provides operation of the MagnaTrack screens through the bridges regardless of the user’s skillset. It also brings new functionality such as individual and group screen control, scheduling, and integration with voice activation platforms Josh.ai, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings.
The app reinforces the strength of the partnership, its technical prowess and customer support. It depicts the MagnaTrack logo and provides a link to the brand’s website, and direct access to the Bond Home 24/7 customer service.
The MagnaTrack line will also offer Olibra’s Bond Home Sidekick for Shades accessory.This wireless, battery-operated five-channel remote communicates directly via RF to individual or batches of MagnaTrack screens in a 2,000 sq. ft. range. Sidekick’s direct RF communication also benefits the user in being able to operate the screen even if Wi-Fi is interrupted. The keypad mounts to the wall or electrical box (white decora faceplate included). When integrated with either bridge, the keypad’s range expands to 3,500 sq. ft., plus the App can now depict the screen’s status (i.e., open or closed) — an important fail-safe feature.
MagnaTrack is experiencing significant growth and cost-effective, state-of-the-art manual and automated control is critical for its client base. Likewise, the Bond Bridge platform is being rapidly adopted by manufacturers of appliance motors and specialized window treatment and automation sales and installations companies in both the residential and commercial channels.
“We are very excited about this partnership with Progressive Screens and confident it will lead to development of additional solutions between our companies that are certain to enhance user experiences,”said Olibra/Bond Home CEO Zohar Shinar.
“We too are very excited about the partnership with Bond and the private label program. MagnaTrack is by far the leading brand in the industry and ease of controllability and integration is what our clients are looking for. The MagnaTrack Bridge will bring it all together,” addedProgressive Screens Founder and President Arthur James, Jr.
Based in Sarasota, FL, Progressive Screens serves residential and commercial dealers across North America, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The company has begun training independent sales reps and dealers on the new MagnaTrack bridges and Sidekick for Shades. This includes training provided by the Olibra/Bond Home team.
The MagnaTrack Bridge BD-1720 and Bridge BD-1740 and Sidekick for Shades are available for purchase now. They have been added to the MagnaTrack dealer price sheets and soon the website.
Additional support is provided by Olibra/Bond Home at their website.
