Domia unveils standby switch-off device for the office

Electrical appliances manufacturer Domia is set to launch a new version of its energy saving Bye Bye Standby device, boasting enhanced security designed to make it more suited for office use.

Launched earlier this year, the original Bye Bye Standby plug-in device was aimed at consumers and allowed users to turn off always-on appliances such as TVs, monitors and DVD players at the wall using a wireless remote control.

Sarah Frankel, marketing manager for Bye Bye Standby, said the new version – which will be unveiled at the E2 Energy Solutions Expo in London tomorrow – would similarly allow office workers to turn off appliances such as printers and monitors, as well as larger appliances such as coffee machines and water coolers where it is often difficult to switch off the power.

She added that the new device also boasted improved security, designed to ensure only the assigned remote control could be used to turn appliances on and off.

Domia claims that with The Carbon Trust estimating that firms could cut their office equipment running costs by 60 per cent by turning off appliances when not in use, the new Bye Bye Standby technology can help slash carbon emissions and save firms an average of £32 per employee per year on their energy bills.

The company said that it has already seen considerable interest for the new Office Edition, which will be available from £49.99 for four sockets and a remote control.

Frankel admitted that despite the security improvements the device was still best suited for small- and medium-sized offices and lacked the sophistication required by larger firms.

However, she added that the company was currently working on a range of more advanced office energy management solutions that were scheduled to be launched in the next few months.

"We are working on new solutions that can monitor energy use throughout the office and make the information available over the internet," she said. "We're also working on functionality that will allow users to automatically turn off devices using the software solution."

The new products are likely to take Domia into direct competition with established PC power management software providers such as 1E and Verdiem.