FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONVIA, INC.

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1 FOR BACKGROUND Contact: Stephanie Euler Stern + Associates 908/ ext. 213 stephanie@sternassociates.com or: Mark Schurman Herman Miller, Inc. 616/ mark_schurman@hermanmiller.com What is Convia? FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONVIA, INC. is a new company and subsidiary of Herman Miller, Inc. that operates under the leadership of its own management team. With the launch of Convia, Herman Miller continues to extend its near 80-year record of product innovation into new realms, establishing a new market initiative while maintaining the company s focus on problem-solving furniture designs. Herman Miller is devoted to creating great designs that enhance human performance, and recognized an opportunity in the marketplace to change the way people design, build, personalize, and manage space. The company s researchers identified a need in the area where space, technology integration and lighting overlap. Convia is the solution that addresses the convergence of these areas. As a separate entity, Convia is dedicated to providing unique power and data delivery needs within a product platform that allows for future developments in the division and equipping of interior spaces. Its signature product line, Convia Programmable Infrastructure, is a modular, programmable electrical and data infrastructure for building interiors that delivers plug-and-play power to virtually anywhere within a space, without requiring the hardwiring of devices or switches. New or renovated interior spaces become programmable environments, responsive to the ever-changing needs of the organization and the ways in which people work. How long was this product in development? The underlying research for Convia Programmable Infrastructure began in late 2001 under the direction of the Herman Miller Creative Office (HMCO). HMCO is charged with expanding Herman Miller s commercial opportunity through research and design initiatives that extend beyond the company s traditional furniture markets.

2 Frequently Asked Questions About Convia/2 Is Convia Programmable Infrastructure the first system of its kind? Convia Programmable Infrastructure is the first programmable infrastructure of its kind. Electrical systems have not notably changed in more than 60 years, but the ways in which people work have. The Convia system offers the next generation in electrical to accommodate the advancements made in the past six decades and in anticipation of further changes to come. With the system, associating devices and electrical reconfigurations are performed in moments, providing dramatic cost savings and convenience for all parties involved. Is Convia technology patented? Herman Miller and its Convia subsidiary have filed 25 patents to date relating to its Convia programmable environments product programs, with over 1,300 claims. In addition to filing in the United States, Herman Miller has applied for international patent examination on many of these patent applications and intends to pursue national registration in numerous foreign countries. What is plug-and and-play power? In the computer world, plug-and-play is a term meaning that hardware components can be plugged into a computer and configure themselves, thus eliminating the need for extensive installation or reconfiguration procedures. With plug-and-play power, objects or devices such as light fixtures can be plugged into a smart connector and then instantly and wirelessly associated with another object, such as a switch, without changing hardwire configurations. What are Convia Programmable P Infrastructures? I Convia Programmable Infrastructure is a system that is built into a building s basic structure (in a ceiling, access floor or movable wall system) that provides local control to tenants, and enables them to make electrical or data changes without opening walls and moving wires. The infrastructure is a single source of connection for devices that require power and data. Any electrical device (e.g. thermostats, lighting fixtures, security cameras, electronic displays, speakers, etc.) can be physically moved anywhere on the Convia infrastructure and simply and easily plugged in for instant power and data access. Using a hand-held, two-button remote control wand, users can also link these devices and controls with the push of a button, in mere moments. By simply pointing the wand at two or more objects, the user can change their electrical association, allowing the system to be programmed to best fit a users changing space and needs.

3 Frequently Asked Questions About Convia/3 How does Convia Programmable able Infrastructure work? Convia s infrastructure is comprised of two components: a modular power platform and a communication/control platform. The modular power platform contains electrical connectors, bringing power to any off-the-shelf electrical or electronic device, while simultaneously creating a communications network between connected devices. Using the remote control wand, devices can be plugged into the connectors to be programmed and grouped with each other via the communication and control network, regardless of what electrical circuit they are connected to. Since users can install, upgrade or relocate any electrical device, switch or sensor using the platform and the capabilities of the wand, the need for expensive, time-consuming and material-wasting electrical modifications and labor are eliminated. How does the hand-held held wand work and what controls does it offer? Users can simply point and click the two-button wand at the switches or devices they want to move or create associations between. The wand is hardwired and authorized by an electrical contractor to ensure that each wand controls only specific grids. Therefore, facility managers have the option to make the system as available or as secure as they like, choosing what works best for them and their tenants. The wand can be controlled solely by the facility manager, office manager, a specific department, or any combination of the three. How long does it take to virtually rewire a space? With the Convia infrastructure in place, virtual rewiring takes mere moments. What kinds of projects can be created with Convia Programmable Infrastructure? Convia Programmable Infrastructure is ready for use in any commercial real estate project both new facilities and renovations. It can be used by, and offers benefits for, developers, architects, contractors, facility managers and tenants in commercial office, retail, hospitality and education buildings. The system can control electrical devices, data devices (such as VOIP), HVAC, lighting, wireless hubs, security cameras and more. The system can be used to design many different personalized environments and settings such as: Programmable light switches that control how much light is dedicated to each scene in any office, retail, education or other commercial space Preset lighting for scene selections : for example, bright lighting in the swimsuit department of a retail location versus more elegant lighting for an eveningwear department; or setting controls to reduce lighting in underused or inactive areas of a building such as a warehouse or office building Lighting controls to mimic the time of day in indoor spaces Flexible, customizable work spaces that can be physically rearranged as team structure changes HVAC re-zoning that allows users to select the thermostat that controls their diffuser

4 Frequently Asked Questions About Convia/4 How can customers tell if this system is right for them? Convia Programmable Infrastructure is ideal for customers that anticipate ongoing reconfiguration or renovation of space. For example, the system is perfect for a retail environment such as a clothing store where managers need to constantly adjust lighting around their displays. The system is also ideal for a commercial building where space is leased to tenants. With this system, building owners can quickly and easily meet successive tenants needs to customize space without the expense of traditional electrical configurations. And in more traditional office applications the Convia system supports reconfiguration of interiors workstations and demountable walls through immediate, simple changes in lighting, devices, and switches, as well as easier adoption of energy saving sensors and controls. What opportunities does Convia Programmable Infrastructure create? Organizations and building owners/operators need fast, easy flexibility when it comes to commercial space. Buildings are rigid, change is constant, and time is money. Businesses are constantly growing, changing or moving. In many cases, this means overhauling some or all of a building and disrupting operations or delaying tenant occupancy as costly renovations are performed. With Convia Programmable Infrastructure, electrical reconfigurations that previously might have taken days or weeks to complete can be performed at a fraction of the time and cost and without the need to disrupt the work environment. It is a dynamic solution that accommodates customers demands for more flexibility and agility in commercial spaces, and enables the creation of environments that are rapidly and inexpensively reconfigurable. In addition, with energy costs rising and the increasing emphasis on protecting the environment, building owners, architects and designers alike are looking for ways to save both money and natural resources. The Convia system offers all of these benefits. What significant changes in work style can be expected after the Convia system is installed? Facilities staff and even individual users can change and personalize their space quickly and easily. Building owners and tenants can change the supporting power, HVAC and data infrastructure of their facilities in moments, eliminating the expense and downtime associated with adding or moving devices or making wiring changes. Users also have more local control and are able to easily change and customize their space (such as lighting and sound systems). Also, Convia Programmable Infrastructure can save building owners and tenants money on energy bills. Will we still "plug in" our electronics? Users will still plug electronic devices into an outlet, however, they will have an unprecedented amount of flexibility and space personalization. Using the wand, any off-the-shelf electrical or electronic devices that are plugged into the Convia s system connectors can be programmed and grouped with each other via a communication and control network, regardless of what electrical circuit they are connected to.

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Convia/5 Are there special technical requirements for products to be connected to the system? Do customers need to purchase p any type of adaptor? No. All standard electrical devices can be connected to the Convia system. Is Convia Programmable Infrastructure UL-listed? Yes. The UL (Underwriters Laboratory) is a leading, independent organization that tests electrical equipment for potential safety hazards. When a product, such as Convia Programmable Infrastructure, is UL-listed, it indicates that the device meets the organization s requirements for safety, such as fire or shock hazard. Are products available for both open and closed ceilings? Convia Programmable Infrastructure is available in two configurations: an open ceiling grid system and a plenum-rated configuration for use in conjunction with closed or finished ceilings. The grid system is best suited for open ceilings. It is ideal for people who are looking for the ultimate in flexibility. In addition to the strengths of the programmable power and data infrastructure, it also enables place making with wall and ceiling components. Users can easily hang componentry from the grid to define and change their physical space as their needs change. The plenum-rated system is compatible with HVAC systems and designed for closed or drop ceilings. A plenum is the space between the suspended ceiling and the main structure above. While this version doesn t offer the place-making capability, it provides all the programmability and at even less cost than the Convia open ceiling grid, or traditional wiring solutions. The two Convia system configurations are fully compatible and can be used together to accommodate different space layouts. What are the differences between the open and closed ceiling Convia products? What are the benefits of each? When developing these systems, Convia identified the two most common architectural environments. The benefits of each system depend on a client s unique needs. The grid system is best suited for open ceilings. It is ideal for people who are looking for the ultimate in flexibility, with plug and play capability at 10 inch intervals throughout the grid. It also enables personalized place making. Compatible raised flooring with pre-installed Convia componentry is available from Tate, a major player in the raised floor systems market and an official raised floor partner. Convia also is currently working to provide customers with preferred movable wall resources, as users can easily hang componentry from the grid as their physical space needs change. The goal is to not only increase the breadth of the product line, but to motivate the commercial marketplace as a whole to respond to this next generation of power delivery. The closed ceiling power system is plenum-rated and more economical, yet slightly less flexible than the grid system. However, for those customers who have or prefer a closed ceiling, this option delivers superior performance and value compared to traditional wiring solutions. It is flexible in that the cables and power boxes (known as smart connectors ) can be moved. When installing the system it can be configured to meet and anticipate each customer s existing and future needs.

6 Frequently Asked Questions About Convia/6 The main power distribution box in the two systems also differs. The grid configuration offers three connection points, as opposed to the 18 available on the plenum-rated system. Both, however, have the same capacity of 5,400 watts. How much energy does the system save? Convia Programmable Infrastructure allows users to more efficiently install occupancy, daylight, time and temperature sensors to save money on power, HVAC and lighting systems. The system will help building owners and tenants reduce their operating costs over time through easier, more efficient and less costly adoption of energy saving controls and devices. One study conducted by the Weidt Group found that Convia Programmable Infrastructure helped reduce energy consumption by as much as 30 percent, and that it costs 32 percent less to implement a bundled energy strategy with the system than with traditional electric.(note: Traditional lighting represents 40 to 60 percent of typical energy consumption in a building). What is the cost of installing Convia Programmable Infrastructure? Installation of the Convia open grid infrastructure is economical and usually has a slight premium over that of traditional electric. The Convia plenum-rated infrastructure using home-run wiring can be installed at cost equal to or slightly below traditional wiring solutions. Overall, Convia Programmable Infrastructure offers significant cost savings over time and costs a fraction of traditional electric: Allows users to make upgrades themselves, eliminating the need for expensive electrical modifications and labor Enables users to easily install and associate occupancy, daylight, time and temperature sensors to save money on power, HVAC and lighting systems Helps qualify the building for federal energy tax credits May also help a building qualify for local municipality energy credits where applicable Enables far faster depreciation of the infrastructure investment and results in quicker ROI for owners since it is treated as personal property in tax accounting, Are Energy Tax Credits offered to building owners who install Convia Programmable Infrastructure? Convia Programmable Infrastructure helps qualify a building for federal energy tax credits of up to $1.80 per sq. ft. of a building, of which $0.60 is associated with reduced lighting consumption. It may also help a building qualify for local municipality energy credits where applicable. Does this contribute to LEED? Convia Programmable Infrastructure may contribute to LEED points. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recommends that project leaders refer to their Rating System checklist for all possible points and contributions.

7 Frequently Asked Questions About Convia/7 Can Convia Programmable Infrastructure re be installed in all 50 states, given the range of building codes and standards in each? Each city and state has its own codes, and Convia Programmable Infrastructure offers code packages for installation for our customers. In Chicago, however, there are extensive regulations and ordinances for installation and Convia designers are working with inspectors to ensure the system fits within their guidelines. What training is available? Who will get it? Each electrical contracting company that installs the Convia system has trained its teams to install it in commercial spaces. Will Convia Programmable Infrastructure impact the economics for commercial real estate firms associated with interior office construction? Compared to traditional infrastructure, Convia Programmable Infrastructure is dramatically less expensive over the lifetime of the system. All or a portion of the resulting savings can be passed on to the tenant, or retained by the building owner/operator. The time savings is also a clear benefit to the owner, enabling faster turnaround time for marketing the property or tenant occupancy. The economic impact for commercial property developers and owners is extremely positive. ###