“Help! Help! Jane! Stop this crazy thing!” - George Jetson, The Jetsons, Theme Song.
The Jetsons was an American animated TV sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera originally airing in the 1960s. The Jetsons were a futuristic family living an innovative utopia of elaborate robotic contraptions and whimsical inventions. Their home has numerous push-button, Space Age-envisioned amenities which some helped and some did not. George Jetson's workweek is typical of his era: an hour a day, two days a week. Daily life is leisurely, assisted by numerous laborsaving devices, which occasionally break down with humorous results. Despite these conveniences, everyone complains of exhausting hard labor and difficulties living with the remaining inconveniences. Sound familiar?
This was a cartoon making fun of the changes in our technology by providing imagines of what we expect to come true but still today many find home automation to be a mystery. With technology growing at such a fast pace, it provides even more unknown equipment, complicated devices and software, and saturation of products and applications. You may find yourself asking “What is a Smart Home?” What makes it so smart? My technical definition of home automation is: “A system topology which integrates other individual systems consisting of multiple electronic and networked devices within your residence to provide easy operation and collaboration of your technology.” What? It consists of a main processor that provides communication with all the electronic equipment so they can work together from your computer, smart phone, or smart tablet. This interface will combine control of TVs, audio receivers, DVD players, thermostats, lights, security, fireplaces, garage doors, and more. Therefore making it less complicated and useful as a whole.
Today with 90 percent of American adults owning a smart phone and 42 percent owning a smart tablet, home automation has never been more accessible. If you already have a smart phone or tablet, I congratulate you. You have now opened the door to a new generation. Maybe you even have an application on your phone or tablet that controls your thermostats, lights, door locks, front door camera, TV, pool, hot tub, and/or security. If so, you are in the home automation zone. Today hundreds, if not thousands, of applications are dedicated to one device or more in your home. With these applications you can turn your lights on or off, lock or unlock your doors, view who is at the front door, set your security, heat up your hot tub, and change the temperature in your house. These are just a few examples of the current possibilities right at your fingertips from your watch, smart phone or tablet.
Options, options, and more options…which device or application is best for your needs? And second, how do you combine these features to make them more efficient, easier-to-use, and reliable? This is where the mayhem really kicks in. With every company now having applications available for their individual product, you need to know how each one works and connects to the device. You load one then another. It works on this model but not this model. You buy the specific product based on its application then another company comes out with something better. This application works different from your last. Does the appliance connect wired, wireless, Z-wave, Zigbee, Bluetooth, RS232, IR, relay, or some other obscure connection? It really can get confusing. This is where home automation experts come in to play. Presently all of these control features work independently and sometimes with different communication perimeters. And in a perfect design, home automation brings them all together into a very manageable system. It provides customization, efficiency, easy-to-access, and easy-to-use not just for you but also for everyone who enters the home. And moreover, it can provide intelligence. I mean it can react instantly to motion, touch, voice or other feedback provided to the device. It can use information like time of day, temperature outside, occupancy, and many other factors. The combination of these things makes it a necessity.
There are some really great integrators out there. I recommend you do ample research. Make sure you request references from integrators. You should meet with the companies, share your ideas, and listen to their ideas. Are they open to new ideas? Do they have information about new technology? Do they understand your needs? From these meetings you will be able to tell who is passionate and knowledgeable in reference to all the possibilities available as well as the best options for your lifestyle.
Green homebuilders and architects are building and designing self-sufficient, energy and water efficient homes built with environmentally friendly resources. Home automation will play a big part in these changes. In order for a home to be self-sufficient, its components will need to generate and monitor their own resources: energy, water, gas, etc. The systems required to provide these needs will have to be managed and incorporated to maintain and monitor their production. As for energy and water efficiency, a homeowner will need to install the latest technology either through smart thermostats, automated lighting systems, motorized shades, water sensors, water flow gauges and more. Along with technology comes knowledge and information that is not so easy to understand. Therefore, the home automation platform will simplify this and provide an easier and custom solution to provide maximum benefits for this investment across all these individual systems in place.
Today, with the advancements of technology, home automation has become affordable for all. In the past, these systems were designed at prices that only big business and high-end homes could afford. But with the changes of networked equipment and communication between devices, system processors have dropped below $1000. Some of them even down to under $500. With smart phones and tablets these systems can be controlled and interfaced by the same devices we already own. In the past you had to spend thousands of dollars (sometimes tens of thousands of dollars) to buy interfaces like touch panels and keypads to place all over the home. Now we can buy tablets between $100 and $500 each. Or we can just control our systems with our phones that are usually already in our pockets or purses.
The pace of technology is staggering, and it is only getting faster. True automation is vibrant, dynamic and unstoppable. With the Apple Watch on our wrists, smart phones in our pockets, and tablets loaded with multiple applications, we can monitor security, heating and cooling, energy efficiency, lock and unlock doors, open and close shades, play music, set lighting scenes and so much more. The right smart home will provide that umbrella to cover your house and all its needs. It will be the nucleus of all your easy and complicated systems. It will provide peace without being visible. It will provide structure and stability to your day-to-day activities. Home automation is not just popular, but needed. Therefore, with the right system and qualified system designer, home automation is neither myth nor mystery: it’s magical! Look out Jetsons, here we come!
After many responses to our first blog, “Home Automation is Dead”, we’ve decided to provide a follow-up.
Home Automation is alive and kicking! It has never been so fluent as today. In the past, when I met people, they would ask: “What do you do for a living?” I’d reply: "I design, install and program home automation or smart home systems". And then the puzzled look: “Huh?” After many attempts to explain this unknown field to them, I’d change my response to: “I do audio and video, like speakers, TVs or Home Theaters”. But I don’t just do audio and video. And I definitely don’t just do Home Theaters. We specialize in Smart Home Technology. We design the perfect system to integrate multiple electronic and network systems within a residence to provide easy operation and synergy of technology.
And with the iPad/iPhone/Android/Mobile Applications/Z-Wave/Bluetooth/Zigbee, etc., the home automation field has never been so alive! Everyone is getting into the game these days which is like free marketing for the industry. Every company now has some type of mobile application. Almost everyone has a smart phone and/or tablet of some sort. And with these devices they can control so many parts of their life. The only problem is that most mobile applications are selfish. They only address their main interests. You can get an application from: Lutron to control your lights; Nest to control your HVAC; Sonos to control your house audio; Universal Remote to control your TV system; Zodiac to control your pool; etc. I’m sure you get the point.
While some people are fine with 5 - 20 individual mobile applications to control their homes, I think this is crazy! I listened to a seminar at the last CEDIA Conference about a business model of App-to-App control: the use of multiple applications to control your house. As a long time integrator, I feel this is way too annoying. With this structure you can never combine control therefore truly automating control. This really is no different than having a different remote for each device. Even with the manufacturer remotes it can be confusing because there is no true customization. And which one do you use for this feature or device? Like a cable box or satellite receiver remote, you get the basic controls such as channel up and down, volume up and down, keypad, cursor, menu, exit, DVR functions (Play, Pause, Stop, FF, REW) and more. But on both remotes and applications the placement of some buttons doesn’t even make sense. Plus there are those extra buttons that no one ever uses (or better yet the combination buttons that sometimes work if you remember to press the device button first). I am not saying you need total customization but it is nice to have some. Also with customization you can standardize the control. At Control Designer, Inc., we like to create a control page that makes sense and has structure based on the needs of our customers. We like to combine other functions and features (lights, HVAC, shades, cameras and more) to the page so it is easily accessible. For example, sound modes for different audio selections. You may want to watch DirecTV for sports, movies, and/or music. And for each of these selections you may want the audio mode to be different.
With the evolution of all the new systems available today, it has become more affordable to add many aspects of control to your project. For example, we are currently involved with a development that is installing smaller smart system starter kits. It will monitor energy consumed by the home, monitor the front door camera, unlock and lock the front door, control the HVAC, plus provide an upgraded wireless network for under $2,500 per home. With this starter package, the home owner now has a starter system that could incorporate their TV systems, lights, shades, house audio, and security with minor additional items. In the old days this price would have been crazy! And the systems that tried to accomplish these same outcomes at two or three times this cost usually were unstable or inconsistent due to lockups and power issues.
So what am I saying? You can easily add a system for less than $5,000 to any home, even an existing home, for some added convenience. This is why home automation/smart home technology is more marketable than ever before. So when people tell me “home automation is dead”, I just laugh. Nowadays, you have NO reason NOT to make your house smart.
The newest in TV technology has been slowly making its way across the industry for about 2 years and it is now becoming more prominent. 4K or Ultra HD has been integrated into newer models of popular brands such as Samsung, Sony, LG, and many more. Adding 4 times the amount of resolution to your picture, this technology is bringing new life to what we thought was amazing quality. Most 4K TVs are home theater worthy size of around 80 inches, but in the recent 2015 International CES expo there were some models as small as 43 inches. Cameras and camcorders with 4K capabilities were also introduced to pair with the new TVs.
4K technology is definitely not cheap though! Many 4K tvs start at over $1,000 and go as high as $9,999. Because of these prices and not much need of demand quite yet, experts are expecting typical homes to own 4K TVs by 2017. "As technology advances, is there really a way to tell the difference in quality between stunning HD and the new 4K pictures? Having never experienced a 4K television, I'm not sure if I could tell. Though, after reading all the information I think that the picture would be close enough to the detail our eyes can see."
-Stephanie Samples, Office Manager, UCF Graphic Design Student
The additional resolution provided by current 4K TV technology allows for a much broader range of color replication. This allows for the viewer to see a more “life-like” representation of what has been captured on the camera. This benefit is probably the most prominent feature as the human eye is not quite capable of seeing the higher resolution fully. The larger the screen, however, the more you’ll be able to see the difference in resolution between a 4K and standard 1080p. "With this said, Stephanie is on the right thinking track. In regards to the high price point, do not despair. Because the demand for the TVs has been less than sterling, prices are dropping quickly through the years since its release." In addition, the onset of the newer HDMI 2.2 and HDCP 2.0 which are scheduled to implement sometime in the very near future, I think that waiting is the best option until they are fully released.
-Merrick Geldner, Service Manager
From what I have seen so far, the 4K technology is amazing! The images and film are stunning. Now comes the concerns: there still is no true 4K content available. All current movies are moving in the direction of being filmed with 4K cameras but there is no real device to play this content other than computers or servers. Since it is only played by these devices most of the content either has to be streamed or downloaded which takes a great amount of time due to the size of the content file. Another concern is the size of the display. 4K technology was originally designed for the movie cinema to be played at large sizes. Now that it is available to TV, there are questions as to whether you can see the difference at sizes below 80 to 85 inches. "I would agree with Merrick: I do see a wider dispersion of colors from a 4K to a 2K display but not sure if this difference is due to the 4K or the quality of the TV. Most 4K technology is added to the highest end product for the manufacturer."
And if this was not enough to be concerned about, now comes the software changes. HDMI 2.2 will require a hardware change to existing 4K displays. If you have a 4K or are going to buy a 4K device, you should confirm that there will be an upgrade for this unit. HDMI 2.2 will increase bandwidth allowing for 4K@50/60 resolutions compared to the initial 4K@24. After this comes the HDCP 2.0 change. This change is also hardware-based and pertains to the protection of HD content. Without this upgrade, certain content will not be available for viewing. Not sure when HDCP 2.0 is coming but many articles say it is on its way.
"I am not trying to scare you off from 4K technology. I feel it will be a household item for everyone at some point but I want to make sure you are aware of what is coming down the pipeline. It is always good to do your own research before you make your decision."
-Curtis LeMaster, Control Systems Integrator, Owner
There’s no doubt that it may seem difficult on where to start on your first home automation system. With so many companies and products on the market, how do you know which products would be best for you? There are a few things to consider when thinking about your home and current lifestyle to integrate home automation into your routine...
1. Think about your day to day activities: Most of the simple things you do each day can be controlled by a automation system. Some of the popular items are audio/music, TV, lights and shades, thermostats, security, and cameras.
2. Do research: See what products you can find that could meet your needs. Then research installers in your area to see how they can accommodate your needs for lighting, thermostat, audio/visual, and other automation components. Check referrals and testimonials. Ask questions: What system do you recommend? What are the differences between certain systems? What systems do you support? Why do you select this system over others?
3. See if Remote Access is available: This feature can give you the peace of mind that your home is safe even when out of the state by monitoring and controlling your home from your phone or tablet. Does the installer provide remote monitoring for this system? Can you and/or them be emailed when there is an issue with your system?
4. Get out of the way: Once you have found an installer and a system that works to your needs, let them do the work. Don’t be the person who leans over the installer’s shoulder all day long to make sure the work gets done.
As home automation grows in popularity, even existing system owners need to think about some of the most important features in automation that will make their lives easier. With benefits such as running your life smoother and saving energy.
1. Interoperability: Finding the right system can be tough enough, but if you are going to have multiple systems in your home you need to make sure they all perform together well. This is easier than it may seem. Your installer will know exactly what you need to keep all units working in harmony and which systems are compatible.
2. Upgradeability: One of the worst things is buying something like a new phone, and two months later the brand new version comes out. Most of the time, it is a slightly different looking product with updated software. The more sophisticated the software could mean it can do a lot more than the previous version. This is an important aspect for home automation systems as it ensures that you get the most out of your system as well as more features to make your life flow easier. You installer should be on top of him game. They should be in touch will changes in the industry.
3. Remote Monitoring: As stated above, remote monitoring is an easy way to control your home when you’re away. It’s also a way for your Control Designer technician to troubleshoot some of your products that become offline. This way an appointment doesn’t always need to be made to service at your home (which saves you money), it can possibly be fixed from our office and if not an appointment will be set to fix your unit.
4. Energy Management: The hottest topic of newer automation systems is that they are increasingly energy efficient by turning off systems automatically when not in use. They can also dim lights, turn off equipment, and lower your thermostat. This feature in any of your products will keep energy bills down so your wallet is happy!
5. Layers of Protection: I’m sure you enjoy your installer and love seeing their friendly faces, but you want to make sure that your automation systems have appropriate back-up protection so you aren’t calling them every time the power goes out. Backing up the system will ensure that the information stored will stay in it’s database so you don’t come home to a dark house at 9pm when it’s programmed to turn on at 8:30pm. It also insures that your equipment has constant power to prevent lockups due to power strikes or surges. It also can consist of automated power cycles on equipment that is not communicating including routers, switches, processors, satellite and cable boxes.
6. Works for YOU!: Good installers want to make sure that your lifestyle is accommodated by choosing the best products that will make your life a breeze. They have the tools to ensure a system is customized to your lighting, audio, and visual wants and needs no matter what they are! A system that doesn’t work for you simply won’t make anything easier. Again, there are many solutions, so a good installer will provide the system that is perfect for your needs not the only system they support or sell this month.
There are many more components to important features of home automation systems. Finding the best one for you is just a click or call away to your local home automation experts such as Control Designer, Inc. We can help you find every product that you need to automate your home.
Last month, I wrote an article expanding the news that Kaleidescape came to terms on their lawsuit with the DVD Copy Control Association stating that after November 28, 2014, all Kaleidescape systems sold would only be able to play your favorite DVDs discs but they cannot be copied to newly bought systems. As for Blu-ray Discs, they can continue to be copied to the system but require a copy of the disc to reside in the Kaleidescape Disc Vault for playback options. All systems bought before this date are “grand-fathered” in and will continue to be able to copy discs to the system. With these new changes to their system in the future, Kaleidescape is trying to find ways to stay relevant in this industry....
Kaleidescape already has an online store which users have access to around 4,600 titles from Warner Brothers and Lionsgate such as The Hunger Games and Mad Men. At the CEDIA Expo this upcoming September, the company is hoping to reveal more information about expanding their database and adding relationships with more studios to give its customers more titles to download directly and watch on their systems. Kaleidescape is projecting that by 2017, they will have an immense collection of movies and TV shows that will be available at the finest quality. The new CEO, Cheena Srinivasan, has also hinted at possible streaming options now that Internet speeds and TVs are becoming more and more advanced. Possibly Kaleidescape will license the media-management software and show up on our Smart TV menus in a few years time. It’s another path that could keep them in the game. Srinivasan wants to expand Kaleidescape even more by 2016 with the aim of releasing a sub-$1,000 solution. “Our aim,” he tells Essential Install, “is to reposition the company and make the Kaleidescape experience available to as many people as possible.” This would be a cheaper alternative to their most affordable system of the Cinema One server which is $4,000. He states that this new product could be “a disc-based system or in the cloud.” With Google Play being similar, they aren’t worried about competing with them as Srinivasan says: “We will always be at the quality end of the market and be a custom install product, but we can definitely get much bigger and gain a much wider audience and that is our aim.”
Another solution that could keep this company in the game is the newly buzz about 4K Ultra HD. Kaleidescape isn’t jumping right into the water with this new technology as they want their content to have the best quality in order to move into the 4K waters. They are also projecting a 4K system to be constructed in 2015 that will have digital downloads, and then streaming with disc based support. Srinivasan says that they are already working with different studios to add titles to their collections once they are produced. Kaleidescape is working hard to keep in the game and bring you it’s best quality movies and shows.
For a couple years now, there have been rumors and buzz about Apple entering the home automation game. Back in May, an article was released that at the Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple would introduce a system to meet your smart home needs that included lighting, security systems, and appliance control...
For a couple years now, there have been rumors and buzz about Apple entering the home automation game. Rumors gained more buzz after Google purchased Nest Labs, the smart thermostat that former Apple Executives actually created. Back in May, an article was released that at the Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple would introduce a system to meet your smart home needs that included lighting, security systems, and appliance control. There weren’t many details about the manufacturers or even the system itself except that everything could be controlled by your iOS devices.
Skip ahead to the conference, and Apple mainly focused on their new operating system releases for iPhones and Mac computers. The representatives only talked about their home automation potential. There is some information I came across after the conference on their App named HomeKit (which would be the central hub of their home automation system). The app would be accessible to our favorite iOS devices but only if they have MFI (Made For iPhone) software and wireless chip in the device. Though, their technology enables you to control the lighting, locks, thermostats and much more through the app or even better, quickly through voice commands with Siri. With strong end-to-end encryption, access to your home from the app will be very secure and private. So none of the commands will happen unexpectedly in the background, only when the user prompts an action or scripts certain conditions like turning the lights on at a certain time. Until these MFI products are available, this system seems like it will be put on the backburner, though it is possible to link your old equipment to the new Apple equipment when this does happen. There will be a bridge hardware that can translate the different languages on your current devices so the HomeKit can work in harmony with whatever system you have.
Over the past 10 years, Apple has shown us that nothing can seem too small by constantly advancing their iOS technology from year to year. Why not enter another innovative business that personally, I think Apple would greatly succeed at. Some are saying that these rumors were all teases that will never come true.
So what does this mean for all of us Apple lovers? There’s no doubt that there are many systems that are compatible with Apple products, so our homes can be controlled by iPads and iPhones. Will Apple ever enter the home automation category to potentially become the most dominant company in this area? For now, this is all open ended as we wait for definitive answers from Apple.
Kaleidescape has ended their decade long lawsuit with the DVD Copy Control Association. As of November 29th, 2014, all Kaleidescape systems purchased after this date will only be able to play your favorite DVD movies by the physical disc rather than the DVDs being copied to the system...
Kaleidescape has ended their decade long lawsuit with the DVD Copy Control Association. As of November 29th, 2014, all Kaleidescape systems purchased after this date will only be able to play your favorite DVD movies by the physical disc rather than the DVDs being copied to the system. As for BluRay, as long as you have a copy of the movie in the Vault, you will continue to be able to playback these movies from the server system. There is no need to fret if you have a Kaleidescape system already, as long as it was purchased before November 29th, 2014, you are grandfathered in to keep using the system as you do now. The company says that by the time this new agreement comes into play, they expect to have most DVDs in their collection for download and accessible from their online store.
This lawsuit doesn’t mean the end of Kaleidescape as we know it. This simply means that the company can evolve into a more digital medium where you can download your favorite movies in HD. The real introduction of this move forward was in May, when they announced that UltraViolet will be more prominent than ever in their store. UltraViolet will give you the ability to view all new movies purchased on the Kaleidescape store through other media like tablets and computers. You can even convert your new and existing DVDs and Blu-ray to UV quality digital copies for less than $2.00 per title. You can also have the best of both worlds by converting your DVDs into Blu-ray digital copies with a UV copy as well for less than $6.00 per title. In addition, these changes provide the ability to transfer your existing UltraViolet movie collection that you currently view through streaming media services like Flixster, VUDU, and Target Ticket to your Kaleidescape system at no additional cost! This way, all of the movies in your collection are accessible on one system. Kaleidescape is working to bring their customers a bright future full of the best quality digital movies that you can experience in the comfort of your own home.
If you’d like to buy one of the Kaleidescape systems, there’s still time! Call a Control Designer representative today!
Tell us your thoughts on this new change coming soon!
I came across an article that I was puzzled by at first, and as I read it I thought “This sounds like really cool technology”. Just when you thought Apple couldn’t up their game with a new kind of product, they seem to be heading in that direction...
Apple has decided to join the dark side per say and patent a home automation system that can work based on your location.
The article states “The elaborate setup would make it possible for Apple to use location data fed from things like your iPhone and iPad, as well as use of credit cards or RFID badges to inform automated systems of a user’s whereabouts, and do things like turn on or off power, climate control, lights and more.” Though this sounds extremely cool, I couldn’t help but think that this kept reminding me of how our society is always being tracked and this would just be another tracker.
“It’s a little more complex than simple geo-fencing, however. The patent describes an information-gathering system that would be able to incorporate not only where a user is and where they’re going, but also what activities they’re engaging in along the way. This would make their location predictions more accurate, since they could include estimates about when exactly someone will arrive.” I think this quote makes my last statement seem pretty valid.
Though the actual technology has not been set into motion yet, it seems like Apple is moving into our homes in a whole new way. It could be years until this known and loved company starts building this system. Who knows, maybe in 10 years there be actual Apple houses with this home automation technology, with iCouches, iBeds, iTvs, iPools, and iKitchens.
What do you think about this new system?
Manufacturers decided a long time ago that making a product that truly works great and provides a value to everyone is a bad business design. Making a product that is problematic is a profitable model. They can repair it. The can improve it each year and then sell it's upgrade in three years.....
After going back and forth on other blog site with an individual about the industry and it soon to be demise if we don't clean it up; I came up with this:
Manufacturers decided a long time ago that making a product that truly works great and provides a value to everyone is a bad business design. Making a product that is problematic is a profitable model. They can repair it. The can improve it each year and then sell it's upgrade in three years. We are stuck with this and our just trying to give our customer the best value for his money. And this service I feel that I am really good at.
He replied back with a reponse that I was being comical and making fun of his post. Therefore I responsed with this in further explanation:
You think that I was being funny but in my experience this is the truth about "most" manufacturers. You name a product line and a product and I can probably name more negatives of the device than positives. I have sold AMX control products for over 15 years. I have been forced to sell Crestron due to the demand. And Crestron continues to come out with more and more devices in a software application and iDevice/Android based market. Any company that feels they can have a catalog of great products is flawed.
But back to products and its issues, let pick a good example....HDMI! It has been pushed down our throats by the manufacturers. Without it you don't get 1080p, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and HDCP…etc. I love how some threads said that HDMI has made things easier. This is definitely hogwash. What is so easy about it? The connectors fall out. It was not designed to go long range. It was not designed to be terminated or created in the field. It is ever changing with new features that products don't even support (Deep Color, Ethernet, etc.). It is a money making deal for them (HDMI alliance) but a pain in the butt for us. We have to take training on it, we have to learn about how it works, we have to buy testers to verify it, and we have to buy display kits to trouble shoot it. It is just a wire. Yes, the video is better and the audio is cleaner and now we are down to one wire where in the old days (3-4 years ago) we had to run five wires (component video and analog audio....or four with digital), but with analog wiring troubleshooting was simple. Your main concerns were whether the wire was shorted or the green, red, and blue were in the wrong connectors.
This is just an easy example of one component of our industry. Now let’s bring in control. We are required to combine numerous devices to complete multiple tasks either combined or separate in order to meet the customers’ needs and demands. Not just one device but multiple devices. We have to make them play nice in a fashion that is easy, quick and dependable in a world of undependable devices.
Don't get me wrong...I love this stuff but sometimes you want to scream. I have tried to reach out to the manufacturers but as I see it they are monitored by their selling force which their jobs are to sell no matter what. To them these devices are the best ever made whether they have a clue of what they do or not. Not until you are faced with the issues and deal directly with the support team (if qualified) you get some honest feedback as to their mistakes. If I had a dollar for each time they told me that they had never seen that issue before. I would not have to get up tomorrow and do it all over again. Either that or my research and development check comes in for all the equipment that I have tested for them.
You play the game. Our job is not easy. We are not doctors or teachers. But we are in an environment where technology plays a big part. So you have to be committed. It is a puzzle and we have to solve it. This is custom. The customer does not always want to know how it works but wants it to work. The manufacturers continue to make new stuff without ever fixing the old stuff. It usually released too early and they fix it along the way. This is called firmware upgrades. Linksys is famous for this too.
So I just stick with what works. We test it and verify it either in the office or in the field. Sometimes we get burnt but we explain to the customer or fix it on our own and usually eat the fix. We spend lots of hours, troubleshooting the system in order to create reliability again not always getting paid, but pride ourselves in a job well done. It is also ever changing. We install the perfect system and then the new widget comes out and they have to have it. Now the true R&D begins. It is so new…no support yet from other manufacturers or instructions on how to incorporate it. We just go to work.
I agree it would be nice if we could get at least some of the big players (manufacturers) to step up their game but this is asking a lot from only one small fish in a big ocean of others who continue to sell, sell, sell without any remorse. But I will keep up the fight……..
Let me know your thoughts...
Is Home Automation really dead? I came accross this blog the other day and it has started a great debate. It is so good that I wanted to posted it on my site and see what why visitors think.
Is Home Automation really dead? I came accross this blog the other day and it has started a great debate. It is so good that I wanted to posted it on my site and see what why visitors think.
Here is the original post:
Home Automation is dead as we know it. I am going to tell you why.
Home Automation has struggled to find its place in our homes since the idea was displayed during the World Fairs of the 1930’s. The Jetsons and other science fiction made everyone feel that an automated home was just around the corner. Since then, cost, complexity and too many protocols have limited it to the homes of the wealthy and very ambitious geeks. Home automation as we know it has never achieved mass market success because there is not a compelling value proposition that works with the mass market, the everyday homeowner…… (you can see the rest at the link below)
Now here is my response:
IS HOME AUTOMATION DEAD?
I am sorry but this is the biggest hogwash that I have ever read. As an integrator, it is our job to make these systems complete and appropriate for our customers. The fact that you ever had X10 tells me that you have no clue, that product was garbage.
With the iPhone/iPad/Android devices, the Home Automation industry is at the top of its game. It is easier and cheaper than it has ever been for quality devices and systems. It is now our time to educate the consumer. This industry is moving at a pace so fast your head could spin. We live this stuff and even for us it takes training to stay at the top of your game. Just imagine the consumer, he sees the products and searches for ideas on the Internet but with the influx of so much data and reviews...they never stand a chance. This is why Bose are still in business.
It is time to look outside the box instead of buying another all in one box. My three year old knows how to get around on an iPad. So why is it that you don't think that we can evolve from this technology into something everyone will value and demand?
I expect Home Automation to grow tremendously over the next few years. If it is gone why are Microsoft, Apple, BrightHouse, and ADT continuing to try and get into the game. These big companies would not spend the money if they did not see the big opportunity.
Apple is about to release the mobile watch and clothing next. Apps will continue at a very fast rate. The combination of apps is inevitable.
I think you need to think again. Maybe more research. If you need any help please reach out to us.
Let me know your thoughts!