A fully distributed, IP-based architecture where every application controller is intelligent, resilient and part of a multi-master network. Start with a single controller and grow to tens of thousands of devices without redesigning the system.
Each controller manages its own DALI line, schedules and logic locally. If the cloud or head end is offline, lighting continues to operate as programmed. Controllers communicate across the site, allowing any device to interact with others through the network.
Controller capabilities
Up to 64 DALI lighting devices per line
(luminaires, relays and other loads)
Up to 64 DALI control devices per line
(switch plates or sensors)
Up to 32 channels per control device
(for example, a switch plate with 32 independent Buttons)
Application controllers operate as a multi-master system over standard IP infrastructure, creating a fully connected building. Existing IT switches can be used to share the network across floors, buildings and entire sites.
Connect and integrate with:
BACnet
MQTT
BMS platforms
AV systems
Other building services and gateways
Manage a single site or an entire portfolio with multi-user, multi-site access. Fine-grained permissions allow control down to an individual DALI line.
Key capabilities
Tenancy and floor management
Flexible access control
Analytics and emergency testing
zencontrol is built as a fully distributed lighting control platform. Intelligence lives at the edge, coordination happens over standard IP, and the cloud adds powerful tools for management, analytics and multi-site operation.
At the heart of the system are DALI application controllers.
Each controller directly manages one or more DALI lines, including lighting devices, emergency fittings, relays, fans and other loads, as well as switches, sensors and input devices.
Every application controller:
Multiple controllers are then linked on the same IP network, forming a multi-master control system where any controller can coordinate behaviour with any other. There is no single point of failure and no central “brain” that limits system size.
Because each DALI line is independent, you simply add more application controllers and lines to grow the system. There is no architectural limit to the number of lines you can aggregate via ethernet.
Whether you are designing a small tenancy fit-out or a campus-scale rollout, zencontrol uses the same architecture. You scale by adding application controllers, not by redesigning the control system.
Start small. Grow line-by-line. Scale across sites & countries
A zencontrol system can start with a single application controller serving one DALI line. As requirements grow, you simply add more controllers and connect them to the same ethernet backbone. Each controller brings additional DALI capacity, and the cloud presents it all as one cohesive system.
In real projects, zencontrol is deployed on:
Because DALI is limited to 64 devices per line, zencontrol links multiple DALI lines together through the controllers and IP network, enabling practically unlimited capacity without compromising on control granularity or performance.
zencontrol maximises what is possible on each DALI line while making it simple to coordinate behaviour across lines, controllers, floors and buildings.
Per-line capacity
Each application controller manages its attached DALI lines with:
A single physical control device can expose multiple channels. For example, a 6-gang DALI switch plate counts as 6 independent switch channels, each of which can be programmed to control any fitting, group or zone in the system.
This structure keeps DALI wiring simple and predictable while still allowing very rich control logic, especially when combined with zencontrol’s profiles, triggers and sequences.
Beyond one line: multi-controller control
Switches and sensors are wired directly on the DALI line to their local application controller, but their effect does not have to stay local. Because controllers share information over ethernet, you can:
The result is a DALI system that behaves like a single, unified control platform, not a collection of isolated lines.
zencontrol devices are designed as smart, multi-master nodes. Each controller can initiate control and respond to events, while staying perfectly in sync with its peers.
In traditional centralised lighting systems, a single server or head end handles most of the logic. If that server or its network link fails, control is disrupted.
zencontrol takes a different approach by placing intelligence at the edge:
Each application controller has its own time clock, schedules, profiles and sequences
Local functions — presence detection, time-based dimming, emergency testing — continue even without cloud connectivity
Controllers collaborate over Ethernet so scenes, zones and profiles can span multiple lines, floors and buildings
This ensures resilient, reliable control without dependence on a central brain.
Practical example: multi-way switching done right
Consider a large open-plan office with switches at opposite ends and fittings spread across several DALI lines and controllers:
A user presses a switch on one line and lights on multiple controllers respond instantly
Switches on other lines detect the new state and update their LED indicators to match
If the cloud link drops, local behaviour and coordination between controllers continue as programmed
This is true multi-master operation: any device can trigger a change, and the entire system responds intelligently without relying on a single master controller.
zencontrol is natively IP-based. Application controllers connect over standard ethernet, making it simple to integrate with other building systems and IT infrastructure.
Standard IT network, extraordinary capability
Each controller provides ethernet ports compatible with standard IT switches and routers. Lighting control shares the same structured cabling and switching fabric as other building services, reducing cost and complexity.
On that same IP network you can host:
By using industry-standard protocols, zencontrol avoids vendor lock-in and keeps your system flexible for future upgrades.
Onsite head end and connected cloud
On the same ethernet backbone you can deploy:
The cloud adds powerful capabilities:
Importantly, the cloud enhances the system; it does not replace local control. The building continues to function if the internet link goes down.
Large buildings are rarely run by a single stakeholder. zencontrol’s cloud and software are designed to mirror how modern assets are owned, leased and operated.
Model the building the way it actually operates
A site can be broken down into logical layers:
Devices are mapped to locations and zones, not just DALI addresses, so owners and tenants can work in terms of their spaces – “Level 12 South open-plan” – instead of low-level device IDs.
Multi-level user access control
zencontrol’s permission model lets you give each stakeholder exactly the right level of control:
The cloud also tracks changes and allows administrators to roll back unwanted adjustments, reducing operational risk when many users share access to the same system.
Example: multi-tenant tower
The building owner has full visibility of all controllers and devices. Each tenant is given access to their leased floors only – they can adjust schedules, scenes and comfort settings without impacting other tenants or common areas..
Example: campus portfolio
Example: fit-out project
During a fit-out, contractors are granted temporary access to commission and fine-tune the new areas. Once complete, their access can be revoked, while the tenant retains ongoing control.
Scalable by nature
Built on DALI and standard IP networking, zencontrol scales linearly by adding controllers. From a single DALI line to buildings with thousands of controllers and close to 50,000 devices, the architecture remains consistent.
Resilient & future-ready
Distributed intelligence means no single point of failure. With cloud-driven updates, analytics and integrations, the system evolves with your building over its entire lifecycle.
Designed for real operators
Tenancies, floors, zones, groups and detailed access control mean building owners, tenants and contractors can each work in the language and scope that makes sense for them – safely and efficiently.
Talk to us about your next building or portfolio. Whether you are starting with a single tenancy or migrating a national estate, zencontrol provides a modern, distributed architecture that is built to scale.
