STU’S VIEWS: PART 6 Column


December 2024 / January 2025 ertonline.co.uk


I got it under control, oh, oh…


Stuart Tickle, Managing Director at AWE Europe, tells us about the endless opportunities voice assistants can unlock and how you can capitalise on them…


I


n the evolving landscape of home automation, it’s clear that while entry-level solutions like Alexa and other DIY options have their place, they primarily serve as an introduction. High-end clients still seek


comprehensive whole-home automation, but the real opportunity lies in the mid-level market, particularly for electrical retailers. This segment represents a significant business potential for electrical retailers looking to expand their services and differentiate from box-shifters. Home installations are not only a growing trend but also a profitable area, as more homeowners seek to integrate technology into their living spaces for both entertainment and convenience.


By tapping into this market, electrical retailers


can offer tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of their customers, leading to increased customer satisfaction and business growth.


Understanding customer needs Most customers desire simplicity and reliability in their home automation systems and they want solutions that enhance their daily lives without complexity. Single room control in key areas of the TV and entertainment system, integrated with other systems like Hue and Ring, or more


advanced options like Heatmiser, Lutron, Silent Gliss, as well as various security systems, can meet or even exceed these needs. By providing reliable and scalable solutions, electrical retailers can ensure long-term customer satisfaction and loyalty, paving the way for future business opportunities. They may want to expand their home systems in the future or even move house but maintain the same level of sophistication and bespoke solutions in their new homes.


Affordable and adaptable solutions Logitech’s Harmony attempted to capture this market and showed potential – but it failed as it wasn’t sustainable at that price point. However, there are now very affordable solutions available ranging from £380 to £999 that can be trained in a couple of hours and set up and programmed in under an hour. They are the perfect solutions for those not wanting to spend thousands! Both simple and advanced control systems can be effectively installed in period properties as well as modern ones. For example, a URC Total Control system, sourced from AWE, was recently selected to provide a user-friendly home automation solution for a heritage family home in Edinburgh.


URC integrates with a vast range of technologies and devices, giving the family at ‘The Old Manse’ scope to scale up the system in the future. It’s also easy to use and relatively affordable for a professional solution, with entry- level options starting from £500. The URC system brings together multiple technologies throughout the home into one user-friendly interface – streamlining the control of lighting, window treatments, HVAC, audio, audio streaming, door entry, and CCTV. This flexibility opens more business potential for electrical retailers, by offering tailored solutions to a wider range of clients and properties, with varying budgets and ambitions, ensuring long- term customer satisfaction and loyalty.


Starting small and growing For electrical retailers, the key is to start small. Existing skills can be easily adapted to these new technologies, making the transition low risk. Don’t be afraid to take the first step. The market is ripe with opportunities, and with the right training and support, you can offer your customers the modern, integrated solutions they are looking for. At AWE, we provide comprehensive training and support for URC and other automated devices. Contact us to learn more about how spending just two hours with us could help expand your business into the growing field of home automation.


17


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56