DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) introduces the SmartCast Intelligence Platform^™, the first intuitive lighting system to leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) to deliver smart building solutions through a combination of hardware, software and services. The breakthrough platform combines Cree's industry leading SmartCast^® Power over Ethernet (PoE) LED lighting network with the company’s innovative analytics software to transform lighting and sensor data into actionable insights. The integrated solution provides immediate energy and space utilization recommendations that lower maintenance costs to improve productivity.

“LED technology is the standard for lighting installations and the Cree SmartCast Intelligence Platform^™ solution demonstrates our ability to harness the power of this technology to go beyond illumination and energy savings to make buildings and the people in them more efficient and productive,” said Daniel Castillo, Cree president, lighting. “The platform combines intelligent LED lighting fixtures, integrated sensors, and our new software analytics tool, SmartCast Advisor^™, to deliver on the promise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and improve the spaces in which we work and live.”

SmartCast Advisor^™, the first analytics application available on the SmartCast Intelligence Platform, monitors buildings via the SmartCast PoE lighting network, which is currently installed in a number of large customer sites. The application collects data and drives insights immediately upon installation. With the SmartCast Advisor application, building operators can repurpose underutilized space to optimize the productivity within their buildings.

“The SmartCast Advisor^™ application is the next step in Cree’s commitment to accelerating the adoption of advanced lighting controls and creating an open building intelligence platform that’s future-ready and easy to use,” continued Castillo. “The application is the first of its kind to extract the value of big data from a lighting network, and is in keeping with Cree’s commitment to a better light experience.”

Cree’s PoE Lighting network is available on the SmartCast Intelligence Platform today. The SmartCast Advisor software application is now available in a limited release.

Visit lighting.cree.com/SmartCast for more information.

About Cree, Inc.:

Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, lighting products and power and radio frequency (RF) semiconductors. Cree’s product families include LED lighting systems and bulbs, blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, power-switching devices and RF devices. Cree’s products are driving improvements in applications such as general illumination, electronic signs and signals, power supplies and inverters.

Please refer to www.cree.com for additional product and Company information.

This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including the risk that actual savings and lifetimes will vary from expectations; the risk we may be unable to manufacture these new products with sufficiently low cost to offer them at competitive prices or with acceptable margins; the risk we may encounter delays or other difficulties in ramping up production of our new products; customer acceptance of our new products; the rapid development of new technology and competing products that may impair demand or render Cree’s products obsolete; and other factors discussed in Cree’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 26, 2016, and subsequent filings.

Cree^® and SmartCast^® are registered trademarks, and SmartCast Intelligence Platform^™ and SmartCast Advisor^™ are trademarks of Cree, Inc.

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