Meet the man who turned childhood curiosity into industry innovation, proving that when passion meets purpose, extraordinary things happen in the world of lighting technology.

Picture a young boy carefully extracting LEDs from an old washing machine, meticulously arranging them to create miniature streetlights for his toy cars. Today, that same innovative spirit drives PhunKEE as he leads Casambi’s APAC sales team, transforming the lighting and controls industry across Asia.

As Casambi’s Sales Leader for the APAC region, PhunKEE oversees the expansion of Casambi node adoption across the market, with a key focus on North Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan. Since 2022, he has played a pivotal role in growing the region’s CRP (Casambi Ready Products) ecosystem. His impact? Nothing short of transformative, as the APAC CRP partners and nodes adoption increased by 3-fold and 2-fold respectively!

Engineering Dreams into Reality

That curious child who once played with salvaged LEDs never really grew up – he just found bigger playgrounds. Starting as a field application engineer for security systems, he progressively took on roles of increasing responsibility, from technical sales and business development to technical consulting and team leadership, working for industry leaders such as ABB, Honeywell, Lutron, Dynalite, 3M, and Schneider. At each stop, his passion for innovation and problem-solving opened new doors and lit new paths.

Ask PhunKEE about his proudest moment at Casambi, and he’ll tell you about building a dream team that turns challenges into triumphs. Take the New Zealand Post Distribution Hub project – where others saw insurmountable meshing issues, PhunKEE’s team saw an opportunity to showcase their technical prowess, successfully resolving complex meshing issues by root cause analysis. Through careful analysis of the layout drawings, system architecture, and BOM listings, the team swiftly identified the root cause; a newly installed metal structure in the warehouse was creating a barrier for radio signal communication between nodes. By changing the network performance and splitting the external and internal warehouse installation into 2 separate networks, the system restores its full functional operation. 

A key achievement was developing the Casambi ecosystem onboarding kit, providing partners with clear orientation and support guidelines while tracking milestone progress. This structured framework has enabled the development of high-quality Casambi Ready Products, including innovative solutions like the Infrared (IR) Blaster. This technology enables Casambi systems to control audio, visual, and HVAC services through learned IR codes, demonstrating the ecosystem’s versatility.

Revolutionizing the Market Through Leadership

Casambi’s open ecosystem model represents a fundamental shift from traditional exclusive, product-based approaches in the lighting industry. While this innovative stance initially led to misconceptions—with some believing Casambi operated solely through its six CBUs and appointed partners—PhunKEE and his team have successfully reshaped market understanding through two years of intensive engagement, through customer events and knowledge-sharing sessions. However, this educational journey continues as Casambi extends its reach.

Weekly team sync-ups ensure cohesive strategy execution and prompt problem-solving. This agile approach, combined with close engagement with service partners and specifiers, enables rapid adaptation to market dynamics through the Minimum Viable Path (MVP) methodology. One of the results is the Casambi Ready downlight and panel lights offering to the market at an irresistible value for their performance. 

Life Beyond the Office

Beyond the world of lighting solutions, PhunKEE recharges through culinary adventures and healthy living. Whether exploring new cuisines, places, cultures, preparing nourishing meals for loved ones, or maintaining an active lifestyle, he finds joy in life’s simple pleasures as the saying goes eat to live. 

Vision for the Future

PhunKEE’s eyes light up when discussing the future. In his vision, AI isn’t just about automation – it’s about enhancing human experiences through perfectly crafted lighting environments that speak to our emotions and transform spaces.

In an era of rapid AI development, where the lines between physical and virtual worlds increasingly blur, PhunKEE emphasizes a crucial truth: humans remain fundamentally social and visual beings. He believes that thoughtful illumination can evoke precise sensations and moods, whether for relaxation or social connection. With curated and proper lighting design, and layering of different illumination requirements, the environment can be crafted to create specific emotional experiences.

As our world becomes more digitally connected, the need for meaningful physical spaces grows stronger. By focusing on the right market segments and developing innovative solutions in this space, Casambi positions itself to stay ahead in an evolving market where the integration of technology and human experience is paramount.

Words of Advice

“Find work that feels like play,” PhunKEE advises rising talents. “A lasting career ignites when your daily passion meets limitless possibilities.” It’s no wonder he describes his journey as “getting paid to have fun.” If you wake up and feel doubtful about the day ahead or find an excuse not to work, that is a sign that the career path requires a review.  

Describing his team as “fluid hot lava that explodes from an exciting evolution of technology,” PhunKEE embodies Casambi’s dynamic culture, while acknowledging the challenges that come with rapid growth and market changes, he remains optimistic about the team’s journey ahead.

Founded in 2007 by the dynamic husband-wife duo of Tom Van Buuren and Irma Lankhaar, Art4Light embarked on a journey to shake up the local lighting game. What began as a modest endeavor burgeoned into a thriving enterprise, fueled by a passion for Casambi and a commitment to excellence. 

To be found in Uithoorn, a stone’s throw away from Amsterdam, Art4Light‘s premises amply reflect their vision. Here, amid the cozy warmth of their setup, one encounters the marriage of lighting artistry and control technology. Casambi is everywhere. Years prior, the picture was very different. Initially, their focus was on the integration of KNX systems and smart controls, reflecting Irma’s fervent desire in the early noughties to carve her niche in the lighting market. 

However, it was in 2014 that the winds of change swept through Art4Light’s domain, carrying with them the seeds of Casambi. Like a revelation, Casambi offered Tom and Irma a glimpse into a future where lighting transcended mere functionality and evolved into a fully immersive experience. Recognizing the transformative potential of this technology, Tom and Irma embarked on a new venture, dedicated solely to selling the virtues of Casambi. 

The transition was seamless, fueled by years of experience and a shared conviction in Casambi’s merits. As the Netherlands and Belgium bore witness to the dawn of a new wireless era in lighting, Art4Light emerged as its vanguard. Today, they stand as the preeminent purveyors of Casambi, with a singular focus on its promotion and support. 

At the helm of Art4Light’s operations lies their dedication to customer service. With two locations strategically situated near Schiphol Amsterdam, their multi-storey 360 m2 Casambi Showroom and Warehouse never cease to serve. Open seven days a week, by appointment, these sanctuaries welcome enthusiasts and professionals alike, offering an opportunity to learn everything there is to know about Casambi. 

“Our dedicated focus is clear. We strive to empower electricians and lighting designers with the transformative potential of Casambi. We don’t pursue OEM partnerships, but if the call comes from them, we’ll answer. Crucially, we don’t use Casambi for own commercial projects. Our commitment lies in illuminating the path for others, not in casting light upon ourselves.”  

“With approximately 400 B2B clients, we serve as the go-to Casambi helpdesk for our region, offering ad hoc and instant support for our partners. Moreover, we extend the opportunity to rent our entire showroom for those seeking to promote or sell their own Casambi products and services, with our expertise within an ear’s shot if needed. Whether it’s soft- or hardware needs, we’re here to provide assistance whenever required.” – Tom Van Buuren, Co-founder of Art4Light. 

Commitment to education and empowerment is central to their ethos. As 4C-certified Casambi training partners, they equip individuals and businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of modern lighting systems and to harness the technology to bring the wildest of lighting ideas to life. From introductory sessions to specialized workshops and the Casambi Enhanced training, they demystify the intricacies of Casambi, fostering a community of informed enthusiasts and professionals. 

“We take pride in arranging specialized workshops, covering such topics as Casambi-DALI master configuration, to provide valuable education opportunities. Additionally, we offer our expertise to partners by assisting with commissioning and custom profile settings. Furthermore, we host introduction sessions for those hesitant to embrace Casambi, where skeptics have left impressed and enlightened, affirming their decision to choose Casambi by day’s end.” 

Seeing them in action, training newbies in their spectacular 12-person ‘Casambi Cockpit’ that’s fitted with 2 85” HD screens to work on, one thing becomes abundantly clear; that journey towards enlightenment begins with a single spark, and Art4Light is leading the way. 

Committed to exemplary customer service and proactive in meeting the needs of their clientele, ‘With handshakes to all Casambi manufacturers worldwide’ as Tom puts it, Art4Light ensures that all  Casambi Ready components (some 300+ across 16 collections) showcased on their website are readily available in their warehouse. With same-day delivery via courier for orders placed before 16:00 hrs, they speedily bring Casambi to those who require it. We are delighted to have Art4Light as a valued ally in our journey. 

If you, too, would like to become a Casambi partner, get in touch!

Building on McKinsey’s research into luxury hotel service excellence, this article explores how innovative lighting solutions can enhance the guest experience and foster the culture of personalized service that folks crave today.

Earlier this year, McKinsey explored how the world’s best hotels deliver exceptional customer experiences by focusing on cultivating a “culture of excellence.” The study highlighted that while luxury begins with a beautifully designed property, it is the service, led by staff with dedication and passion, that truly defines a stellar experience. As one general manager (GM) described it, “Our facility is our stage, and guests are paying for a performance.”

With the luxury hotel segment expected to grow by 6% annually through 2025, competition is fierce. While tangible features like luxury mattresses and rainfall showers have become common, the true differentiator is an exceptional service culture. McKinsey interviewed GMs from top-tier hotels, including Aman, Four Seasons, InterContinental, Jumeirah, Mandarin Oriental, Raffles, Shangri-La, and Six Senses. These leaders shared strategies on how to create service environments that prioritize customer delight and loyalty.

Above all else, leadership as ‘Chief Culture Officers’ wins. The most successful luxury hotel GMs shape a culture of excellence by leading visibly, hiring for personality over skills, and empowering staff to meet guest needs without constant approval. They prioritize engaging with employees, fostering a supportive environment, and celebrating staff achievements, which motivates teams to deliver exceptional, personalized service.

Personalization of the guest experience is also key.

GMs also described the importance of tailoring services to individual guests, from welcoming Mrs. Jones to her favorite table to researching preferences beforehand. Personalized service is particularly valued by younger generations, with McKinsey data showing that Gen Z places 2.5 times more importance on it than baby boomers.

Constantly refreshing the guest experience is essential to avoid stagnation. GMs noted how guest preferences shift between weekdays and weekends, necessitating different atmospheres or services. Asking departments to propose quarterly reinvention ideas keeps staff engaged and the guest experience vibrant.

Going above and beyond to surprise guests with personalized touches makes for unforgettable stays. Examples include a GM who returned a lost wedding ring at dinner, a concierge who lent his shoes to a guest closing a major deal, and a hotel that dressed a horse as a unicorn to fulfill a little girl’s dream.

The research revealed that true luxury is not about lavish finishes or lofty prices but about attentive, thoughtful service. Hospitality professionals excel at creating memorable experiences by carefully curating the ambiance for different occasions, whether it’s a romantic stay or a lively celebration. 

Lighting helps deliver exceptional experiences.

Lighting plays a critical role in setting these moods, and by combining decorative and functional luminaires with a smart lighting control system, hotel staff can fine-tune illuminance, brightness, and color temperature to perfectly suit the occasion. The ability to adjust lighting enhances the overall guest experience, making every moment feel personalized and meaningful.

Casambi offers an ideal solution for luxury hotels looking to elevate this experience. Its wireless and scalable system integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure, allowing hotels to upgrade without costly rewiring, making it especially suited for older buildings. The app-based interface empowers hotel staff to customize lighting settings for individual rooms or larger spaces. Features such as Casambi’s keycard integration[Hyperlink] automatically adjust lighting when guests enter or leave their bedrooms, creating a welcoming and energy-efficient atmosphere. Additionally, Casambi’s long-range capabilities extend lighting control to outdoor spaces, ensuring that areas like building facades, terraces and gardens are as thoughtfully lit as the interiors, enhancing both aesthetics and safety throughout the property.

The Santa Marina Hotel, a prestigious 5-star luxury destination in Greece, utilized Casambi’s innovative wireless lighting control system to create a captivating lighting experience in its main entrance tunnel, seamlessly transitioning between the dynamic outdoor environment and the constant interior ambiance while meeting the high expectations of discerning guests. The solution provided elegant illumination that enhanced retail displays, required minimal maintenance, and allowed for real-time adjustments to light conditions, ensuring a welcoming and memorable first impression for visitors.

The Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi implemented Ansell’s OCTO lighting control solution, powered by Casambi, to create a versatile and easily adjustable lighting environment, allowing for tailored lighting scenes throughout the hotel’s communal spaces, dining areas, and guest rooms, enhancing both ambiance and functionality.

The Amadore Hotel & Restaurant de Kamperduinen in Kamperland, Netherlands, adopted Casambi’s wireless lighting control system to enhance its sustainable design by allowing for fine-tuned lighting adjustments that create the desired mood and ambiance in various dining and wellness spaces, enabling flexible programming and control as the hotel was developed.

The Greenhouse Hotel in Iceland implemented Casambi’s wireless lighting control system to simplify installation, enable easy customization of vintage luminaires, and create automated lighting scenes that enhance the guest experience, while offering cost savings and user-friendly control.

Want to know more? 

With Casambi’s new Keycard feature, activate precisely tailored lighting scenes, creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere in every room.  

The hotel lighting horror

It’s a dark and stormy night—or at least it feels like one. You’re a nomadic executive stumbling into yet another hotel room, only to be greeted by an all-too-familiar nemesis: the labyrinth of light switches. The first switch you flip turns on a light in a far corner of the room. The second lights up a glaring spotlight directly over the bed, obliterating any chance of the cozy ambiance you were after. The third? Well, it seems to do nothing at all, leaving you in a state of dim despair. 

Hotel lighting, as recently mused by WSJ writer, Dawn Gilbertson, is the bane of many a traveler’s existence. Whether the room is bathed in harsh fluorescence or plunged into near darkness, it’s seldom quite right. Garnering some 400 comments, Dawn’s story about the inconsistency and complexity of hotel lighting has clearly become an almost comical source of frustration for all. Fellow road warriors recount tales of giving up and simply sleeping with the lights on. 

Casambi, the savior of sane illumination

Casambi is an ideal solution for hotel room lighting, offering management a wireless, scalable, and easy-to-install control system that seamlessly integrates into any hotel’s existing infrastructure. Its cost-effective and retrofittable technology allows hotels to upgrade lighting systems without the need for extensive rewiring or costly renovations, making it particularly suited for older buildings. 

What’s more, if a hotel undergoes renovation, Casambi allows for commissioning one room at a time without incurring extra costs. Unlike many control systems that require the entire building to be commissioned simultaneously, Casambi makes it simple to add new rooms as they are finished, enabling the hotel to remain open and operational throughout the lighting upgrade. 

Casambi’s intuitive app-based interface enables hotel staff to easily manage and customize lighting settings for individual rooms or entire floors, enhancing guest comfort, energy efficiency, and operational flexibility. A network of sensors can activate fixtures. Wireless switches can be deployed. Circadian lighting can be programmed. Something’s not quite working? Whip out the app.  

Casambi has introduced a new keycard feature

Imagine this… You arrive at your hotel room, exhausted after a day of meetings or sightseeing. You slide your keycard into the slot by the door, and instead of fumbling around for the nearest light switch, you are greeted by a perfectly orchestrated lighting scene. The overhead lights glow warmly, guiding you into the room. The bedside lamps softly illuminate, perfect for setting down your bags or kicking off your shoes. The bathroom light? Just the right level of brightness—enough to find your way, but not so much that it startles your senses. 

This is the advantage of Casambi’s new keycard feature. By embedding Casambi-compatible EnOcean modules behind the keycard reader, hotel lighting scenes can be pre-programmed (in the Casambi app) and activated with a simple card insertion. When the keycard is in place, the room lights up exactly as you want it to. When you remove the card, the lights dim or turn off entirely, locking the room into a tranquil state, ready to welcome guests back when they return. 

So, what does the future hold for our beleaguered Wall Street Journal writer and her friends? The next time they enter a hotel room equipped with Casambi’s keycard feature, they won’t be left to wander in the dark or blinded by an overzealous spotlight. Instead, they’ll be greeted by a room that feels like home—perfectly lit, perfectly welcoming, and perfectly Casambified. No more guessing, no more fumbling, just a warm glow that says, “Welcome back, traveler. Your haven awaits. Let me guide you to your on-off switches” 

Casambi Keycard Feature – a step-by-step guide to commissioning

1. Prepare the Casambi Network 

Open the Casambi app and navigate to the required network where you want to add the keycard switch. 

2. Add the Keycard Switch 

Add the keycard switch to the network as you would with any other EnOcean switch. Ensure the switch is properly paired using NFC (Near Field Communication). 

3. Select the Keycard Model 

Once the switch is paired, the app will prompt you to ‘Select Model.’ Choose the keycard image from the options provided. On the next prompt, select the appropriate faceplate for your keycard switch. 

4. Create Lighting Scenes 

Create two separate scenes for the lighting devices that will be controlled by the keycard switch: 

Scene 1: Set the desired lighting levels for when the keycard is inserted. This scene typically includes lights turning on to a comfortable level. Scene 2: Set the desired lighting levels for when the keycard is removed. This scene usually involves dimming or turning off the lights to save energy. 

5. Configure the Scenes 

Assign Scene 1 to activate when the keycard is inserted into the reader. Assign Scene 2 to activate when the keycard is removed, locking the devices at these levels until the card is reinserted. This scene might be a complete shutdown (0% lighting) or customized based on specific requirements. 

6. Final Testing and Adjustments 

Test the keycard switch by inserting and removing the card to ensure the scenes activate as programmed. Make any necessary adjustments to the scenes or switch settings to optimize guest comfort and energy efficiency. 

Interested in trying this out?

October brings with it the eerie excitement of Halloween, but there’s something else just as spooky lurking in the shadows… cybersecurity threats. Fittingly, October is also Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and while both events can seem equally frightening, they lose their terror once we shine a light on them. Chief Architect Antti Kuntsi leads our efforts to enforce rigorous security guidelines and procedures. Learn how we stay ahead of digital threats.  

At Casambi, we take cybersecurity seriously by having a clear policy in place that’s shared with all employees and select partners working on our design projects. This policy helps protect our services, apps, and components from digital threats. By sticking to proven best practices and procedures, we’re able to quickly spot and deal with any potential security issues. 

“With a standardized set of security guidelines, everyone on our team …from developers to administrators… follows the same approach,” explains Antti Kuntsi, Chief Architect in Casambi’s Engineering Department, adding “We stay compliant with regulations like GDPR and data protection laws while ensuring our team is trained on key security principles, secure coding, and deployment best practices. Our incident response guidelines ensure we handle any security incidents smoothly. Plus, we build security into every step of our software development, regularly updating our security and privacy measures from design to deployment to stay ahead of new threats”. 

You just can’t rest on your laurels when it comes to cybersecurity. With processes in place, explains Antti, we can ensure swift and effective action when a potential security breach is detected: 

“By leveraging real-time insights and automation, we can quickly spot and address potential risks, keeping our ecosystem secure and strong. We also utilize our technology partners and their constantly evolving security monitoring capabilities to enhance our defensive strategies further,” explains Antti.  

Our engineering team holds biweekly sessions to share the latest developments and best practices as part of our Secure Development Lifecycle. Ultimately, however, cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. All new Casambi employees receive security training during onboarding, with regular updates throughout their careers.  

“Our internal cybersecurity training isn’t just your typical corporate training video; it’s an expert-led interactive session where participants are encouraged to ask questions,” says Antti, adding; “Human error remains a significant factor in the most serious security threats. Phishing-resistant, passwordless authentication methods like Passkeys and Windows Hello for Business provide excellent usability while safeguarding our users from various types of attacks”. 

“Our device management solution plays a pivotal role in maintaining robust cybersecurity across all platforms. By ensuring that every device deployed to our employees is consistently configured and updated, we minimize vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. This solution allows for seamless deployment of security patches and software updates, guaranteeing that all systems are fortified against the latest threats. It also enables us to enforce strict access controls and monitor device compliance with our cybersecurity policies”. 

By staying informed and diligent, we ensure our digital defenses remain strong – because while both Halloween and cybersecurity can be scary, knowledge is the best way to shed light on the unknown. 

We invite you to read our whitepaper, which covers the security of Casambi’s wireless lighting control technology. It addresses potential cyberattacks, such as passive eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks, and identity tracking, while outlining the security measures we use to mitigate these threats. The paper also highlights the resilient, self-healing qualities of Casambi’s mesh network topology, explains how access rights and security levels are managed within the system, and details the encryption methods used to secure communication channels.  

Stay safe, both in the real and digital worlds! 

Key to flawless performance for Casambi Ready products is ensuring that RF signals can travel effectively between devices. Here are our top tips for achieving this.

Wireless control technology has transformed how we manage lighting and other systems, making it far simpler, more efficient and human-centric than ever before. Casambi is proud to be at the forefront of this field, using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to enable seamless communication between people and their lighting devices connected through a wireless mesh network. But what exactly is the science behind this wireless magic?

At the heart of Casambi’s system is the use of radio frequency (RF) signals—specifically, a 2.4 GHz BLE signal. RF signals don’t travel in a straight line like lasers. They radiate outward in all directions, much like ripples in water. When these RF signals travel, they encounter obstacles such as walls, furniture, or even the materials that make up the devices themselves. Much like water waves hitting a rock, these radio waves can bend (a process called diffraction), weaken, or get blocked depending on the size of the obstacle. The stronger the material and the thicker it is, the more it impacts the signal.

With this in mind, Casambi-enabled devices are like team players. They don’t just send and receive signals to your mobile phone; they also communicate with each other, forming a “mesh” of connections. This means they don’t rely on a single hub and can work together, improving the range and reliability of the entire system.

Casambification is easy.

You can easily retrofit existing fixtures with our CBU units. Or you can choose a Casambi Ready fixture which already comes with our chip integrated. Then enhance your setup with Casambi Ready switches and sensors, and configure everything using Casambi’s control apps.

Casambi is an open ecosystem, meaning that lighting manufacturers can integrate our wireless technology into their own products to create unique Casambi Ready solutions. We provide a free service to support product development, guiding OEMs through the process of integrating our chips into their hardware designs.

The most crucial aspect of any Casambi project is radio performance. Ensuring that RF signals can travel effectively between devices is key to delivering the reliable wireless control that makes Casambi unique. Here are our top three tips for optimizing your Casambi Ready product:

1) Mind the metals!

Keep Casambi CBU units away from metal enclosures. Metal can significantly block RF signals, reducing communication range. If you must place a unit near metal, leave large openings to allow the signal to pass through. Metal can also be used to bounce and amplify RF signals… It’s all about how you shape it!

2) Optimize antenna placement

When designing your hardware to incorporate our chip, ensure the antenna is positioned to avoid interference from nearby components. Keeping it as far from metal or dense materials as possible will greatly enhance signal performance.

3) Test, Test, Test

Don’t just assume your design will work well; put it through its paces. Test your design under real-world conditions, trying different angles, distances, and locations. We can help!

Wireless control is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field. If you’re ready to bring the future to your lighting systems, Casambi provides the perfect tools to do so. With a clear understanding of how RF signals behave, the right design considerations, and smart testing, you can create powerful, efficient, and reliable Casambi Ready products. With over 1,000 interoperable products already in the Casambi ecosystem, will yours be the next to join the network?

Ready to get started?