ANALYSIS: SMART HOME & CUSTOM INSTALL Home Entertainment


Lighting


Smart lighting technology is extremely popular right now and the forecast is set to remain positive. The smart functions on the latest products from Ansell Lighting offer enhanced versatility. The OCTO WiZ Connected allows the consumer to take advantage of full voice control and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth hybrid technology, with 16 million colours and 64,000 shades of white. Its integration with the WiZ app offers


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multi-user and multi-location options, making it suitable for both new and existing homes. The WiZ technology is built into the lighting fixtures, meaning no hubs or additional wiring is required. Octo WiZ Connected can also be paired with voice control devices including Google, Alexa and Siri. Other recent additions from Ansell include the Reef and Gamma WiZ


Connected range. The Reef is a robust smart garden spike light with millions of colours; meanwhile, the Gamma is an ultra slim modern wall/ceiling light, perfect for bathrooms or kitchens and is tuneable via the WiZ App or via voice. Jane Rylands, the company’s Head of


Marketing, comments: “We believe that smart lighting is going to play a significant role in Ansell Lighting’s future growth, and we have invested heavily to ensure we are offering industry-leading smart technology and service to all of our customers.” On the topic of installation, Ms Rylands


adds that safe and accurate fitting is crucial. The company recommends the use of qualified electricians, but also offers further support with its highly skilled technical team on-hand, plus an extensive suite of videos and user guides online and on YouTube channels. “We also offer a full lighting design service


with 3D rendering to ensure the perfect interior and exterior project applications.”


And CEDIA’s Mr Nimmons agrees,


saying that to ensure seamless integration between various elements of smart technology, consumers require a professional integration service… “and this is where retailers can step in and develop a relationship with the customer beyond the product sale”. He continues: “Smart home design,


Installation


The overall smart trend sees consumers becoming accustomed to adding more products to their home ecosystems, and smart functionality also penetrating products in lower price segments. Futuresource’s Mr Choudhury believes


that at this relatively “nascent stage” of the industry, demand will stem from product enthusiasts, limiting the role that dedicated installers will play in the market. “However, as connectivity becomes a


more commoditised feature,” he says, “it is likely that installers will be in increased demand, but this will also be offset by an increased push for simplicity and easy-to- install DIY devices.” Mr Slater makes a counterpoint: “I


cannot think of a time, where a transformational opportunity has existed of such magnitude that has relevance to the major retails brands, as right now.”


installation and management is an opportunity for retailers to bring a new dimension to the service they provide. They can start with a simple media room installation with a screen and speakers, then expand beyond that to add deeper levels of integration that embrace more technologies. “The key for retailers developing a


successful installation programme is training. Manufacturers offer a myriad of resources to ensure businesses are up to speed on the product’s specs and capabilities, but the retailer has to be committed to freeing their staff up to take that training and find how it fits best within their business model.” CEDIA offers foundational introductory


education that isn’t product-focussed, but skills-focussed in areas like cabling and infrastructure, audio and video distribution, and networking. The expertise gained from this training provides an unmatched knowledge to deliver a professionally installed project. Looking ahead, Mr Slater says there is growing interest around smart transport


Some examples of installed Ansell Lighting solutions


and heating functionalities. The take up of electric vehicles (EV), for example, has exceeded everyone’s expectations, he says; this in turn is driving a huge demand for installation of EV charge points. And there’s similar interest in heat


pumps; the Government has set a goal of 600,000 installations per year by 2028 and demand for installers of this technology is growing rapidly. “When we reach the mass market for EV


and heat pump customers, and this is coming far sooner than anyone realises,” reports Mr Slater, “these customers will be looking for safe, secure brands to make their substantial valued smart tech purchases from. “These sustainable smart products have


long warranties, far beyond the traditional one to two years traditionally offered, and therefore customers want to know they are purchasing from a company that will around for years to come.”


June 2021 ertonline.co.uk


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