CUSTOM INSTALL Smart Home
June 2022
ertonline.co.uk
A gateway to a fresh market
The most significant smart home trends today are less about new technologies and more about the speed of adoption by homeowners. Offering smart solutions alongside installation services is an achievable goal, says Stuart Tickle, Managing Director at AWE. He explains how…
W hat is smart home
technology? Let’s start with what it is not. A common misconception is labelling every device controlled
by an app as a smart home product. Being able to perform a basic function from a phone is not necessarily
smart, it’s electronics. Smart home technology involves products that improve the functionality of a home and the lifestyle of its owner. Let’s elaborate. A light can be turned on or off by simply flicking the switch. Smart home technology offers much more. Being able to load a preset, or in the in case of Philips Hue a ‘scene’, is just a starting point for enjoying the vast capabilities. Things previously thought of as luxury have become more standard, for example smart security cameras to keep an eye on the driveway or the garden, convenient control of energy efficient lighting and heating and alike.
Products tend to fall into two categories – the ‘DIY’ versus the ‘Do It For Me’ markets. While anyone can buy an Amazon Alexa or Google Home DIY solution and run simple functionality, the big opportunity for retailers is within the more premium Do It For Me solutions. This opens the door to superior customisation, integration, and performance. And this is where AWE comes in…
The opportunity for retailers COVID saw an increase in basic smart home technology products being implemented in people’s homes. This is a gateway to a fresh marketplace of smart home users looking for their next upgrade.
For independent retailers, branching out into installation is an achievable goal. This service not only provides an additional revenue stream, but also adds real value and a point of difference from online retailers.
Aside from these benefits, a degree of flexibility in the workforce is an asset. With the right training, selected employees can carry out installation work when they’re not needed in-store. You can also guarantee that if you’re not offering this additional value, then other companies in your area will be.
Smart home trends
One area where technology has been widely adopted is in smart security systems, thanks to brands such as Ring. Something as simple as a video doorbell can provide security, convenience, and greater peace of mind. AWE is the UK integration channel partner for Ring X Line (top left) – a selection of Ring doorbells and security cameras tailored for the install market. Benefits of these include extended warranty and free subscription bundles. Ring also offers the option to add more complementary devices, including the Ring Alarm Security System, to create a comprehensive home security solution. Another area of opportunity is custom automation.
People like the convenience of voice control like ‘Hey Google’ or ‘Alexa’ but want more, so another big growth area for us has been dedicated control solutions that bring connected devices together. URC (top middle & right) not only incorporates this level of control but expands on it, making it easy for customers to navigate more products
and solutions via a single platform. Users can integrate their home with control of a wide array of technologies, from heating and audio to lighting and blinds, from an app on their smart phone, a touch screen panel or via voice control. Customers can even set tailored scenarios to create the perfect environment for a ‘Party’, ‘Intimate Dinner’ or ‘Movie Night’ at the touch of a button. Entry level solutions that are scalable, such as the new Expressway Software and processor from URC, provide a great sell-in opportunity for integrators with intuitive, reliable and affordable control from just £500.
How can AWE help retailers? We pride ourselves on being ‘more than just a distributor’ and can help from start to finish with product training and system design. AWE can help with your journey into smart home, identifying areas of your business that could benefit and employees who may have the potential to become installation professionals. We offer training via AWE’s Smart Home Academy, and we are an approved CEDIA training partner. We also have a fantastic showroom at our HQ in Epsom. Customers can book product demos and get hands-on with a range of home cinema and media room set ups. We also provide access to brands and products including Epson, Hisense and Sony projectors, and URC control.
There’s more about smart home security in an interview with Ring on page 28.
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