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Continuing Education Workshop
Getting
Started with Home Automation
Introducing window coverings professionals to home technology integrators.
Today’s design
professionals are faced with a number of challenges and tools when
creating the perfect ambiance for their clients’ interior surroundings.
And with the advent of home automation, a new standard of options
is available.
As we venture into the world of home technology, many in the design
industry are apprehensive of the opportunities, assuming all home
automation is complicated, resulting in a losing proposition of
both time and money. And in all honesty, this level of apprehension
is not unwarranted. As with all new concepts, those of us who are
not familiar with the basics think of “The Jetsons” when
hearing the term smart house. However, to put things into perspective,
imagine all of the times you have used some form of automation.
Many of us already have a programmable thermostat, a sprinkler or
security system, or even a basic phone answering machine. The fact
is that forms of home automation have been available for more than
20 years . . . and many of us use at least some automation daily
without even noticing. While most of these technologies seem second
nature, imagine how they enhance and simplify life, managing everyday
chores like watering the lawn.
Home automation is the intelligent integration of a variety of home
technologies including heating, ventilating and air conditioning
(HVAC); security; automated window coverings; lighting; audio/video;
and a multitude of consumer electronics working together to enable
everyday devices to be controlled and monitored wirelessly. The
marriage of these systems working seamlessly together adds another
dimension of comfort and quality of life. Total home management
combines style, innovation and imagination to create the ultimate
interior to assist the lifestyle.
On average, today’s home has at least four different remote
controls. And in the United States alone, more than 25 percent of
new home construction has advanced entertainment networks with a
complete home theater package. While systems maintain significant
benefits, they are also responsible for producing control clutter.
To combat system complexity, today’s consumers are often willing
to spend more for simpler systems that integrate with more products.
Modern automation is based on open, integrated systems that allow
consumers to select products from a variety of vendors that conform
to uniform industry standards, enabling full interoperability across
a network. Now everyone wins! Manufacturers expand their markets
by developing compatibility with other products, while integrators
and designers have more choices to better serve their consumers.
CLOSING THE CIRCLE
In this conclusion of our three-part series, join Techniku, a leader
in the design of automation solutions for window coverings, as we
explore how the average window coverings professional can become
involved in understanding and offering whole home automation solutions.
In the past articles, we have reviewed the basics of home automation
in elementary terms including what it is, what it can do and the
traditional schools of thought on system integration (see D&WC,
April 2004, page 56). We also have introduced the window coverings
industry to Techniku’s new RF backbone, the revolutionary Z-Wave
control paradigm (see D&WC, August 2004, page 58). Z-Wave is
installed in a variety of consumer electronics provided by major
manufacturers. It introduces plug-and-play capabilities for all
Z-Wave-enabled products, transforming any standalone device into
part of an intelligent mesh network that can be controlled and monitored
wirelessly using a remote control or computer.
After reading this article, we hope to change perceptions and challenge
the preconceived notions of home automation. At Techniku, we are
committed to the success of every window coverings professional
who wants to join the revolution in these changing times of home
automation. The question is not how to eliminate the apprehension,
but rather how we can work together to provide readily available
solutions that answer your concerns when they arise.
As with anything we try the first time, there are inevitable stumbles
. . . our job is to help you work through the issues and provide
answers to the applications to ensure satisfaction. After all, if
technology does not enrich life or serve the consumer, it has little
value; however, when beautiful furnishings and cutting-edge technology
merge to benefit a lifestyle, the value of design and technology
grow exponentially.
A MODERN ECOSYSTEM
In the United States, smart home technology is expected to reach
annual sales of $900 million in home automation controls alone,
not including the cost of the appliance/equipment being controlled;
overall, a very small percentage of total market share! So what
is the cause of this disparity? Simple, the home automation industry
is missing a vital link, you, the professional designer.
Technology dealers and integrators have been selling home automation
and consumer electronics for years. And while they can sell thousands
of dollars in gateways and graphic user interfaces (GUIs) in one
single application, there is still money to be made. In most cases,
these dealers are not working with the client to understand the
behavioral design elements or lifestyle aspects of how the consumers
“move through and use” their interior environment. Today’s
professional designers are responsible for more than simply selecting
fabric and color; they know the client and understand how he or
she expects to interact with the surroundings. This is a unique
skill you bring to the design experience. It is important to see
technology options as a lifestyle/design choice.
You can walk through a day in the life of your client to understand
how to trigger scenes or events to accommodate behavior-based lifestyle
preferences. Program appliances to operate around predetermined
behaviors. For example, upon “arrival,” the garage door
opens, the lights turn on, the automated shades open, the thermostat
turns on and the consumer’s favorite song plays. Home automation
goes well beyond opening the garage door. Integrators know technology;
you know design.
THE 3 GEORGES
With home automation, think of your consumers in terms of “The
3 Georges”: (1) George Washington; (2) George Jetson; and (3)
Curious George.
Even without the powdered wigs, you still will come across the “George
Washington consumers” who want all manual operation with no
technology. The television remote control is the limit to their
home technology acceptance!
On the other extreme are the “George Jetson consumers”
who know everything about whole home automation and are fixed on
controlling all of their technology with state-of-the-art GUIs and
interfaces. They purchase on the “Wow” factor alone.
And lastly, and most predominant, are the “Curious Georges.”
These consumers are intrigued by automation concepts, but are full
of questions. Studies show that 93 percent of today’s consumers
ask multiple questions and research home networking products before
making a purchase. They are more sophisticated in their understanding
of the capabilities of these devices and desire more functionality
with greater ease of use.
Actually, many of our consumers fall in the “Curious George”
category, as do many of us as design professionals. A true professional
knows his or her strengths and is not afraid to seek help in acquiring
new skills and knowledge to stay abreast of rapidly evolving technologies.
As we learned in school, there are no stupid questions!
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Now that you are ready to be part of the revolution to design for
home automation, what are your first steps? Making the transition
is easy. As in most relationships, those who are successful learn
one thing . . . partnering. You know design; integrators know technology.
When both parties join into a partnership with a respect for the
other’s professional expertise, a great business opportunity
exists. While the professional designer can create the perfect ambiance
with furnishings and automated window coverings, there are many
technical aspects of the smart home where a designer would benefit
from solidifying a relationship with a high-tech partner in their
market. Learn the basics and use your partners to assist in specifying
the appropriate technology to marry the user with his budget and
to align all of the systems together so they work as one seamless
experience.
As a window coverings expert, it is important for you to understand
the best window coverings for the application, the optimal automation
options and which fabricators can provide the necessary materials
and relationship to ensure the installations are successful. Home
technology dealers/integrators are technically savvy and provide
innovative products and services for the connected home, specializing
in planning and installing
electronic systems.
The estimated 3,000 dealers/integrators in the United States account
for the majority of sales of products and installation services
to residential markets. Most are members of CEDIA (Custom Electronic
Design and Installation Association), a trade organization whose
purpose is to build recognition and acceptance of installing dealers
in the marketplace. Professional designers can find these dealers
in a variety of places including “mid-box” regional, home
electronics retail outlets. You will benefit by using his expertise
when specifying automated window coverings and other technology
features in the home that add to your clients’ lifestyle. Meanwhile,
the dealer/integrator, will be able to differentiate himself from
corporate giants, offering a turnkey design and automation solution.
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER…MAKE ME A MATCH
Techniku is committed to providing our industry with cutting-edge
RF technology that allows fabricators, installers, designers and
consumers to win with the best automated window covering product
offering. Combined with Z-Wave technology, enable all of the advanced
electronics in your clients’ home to work in concert, enhancing
the comfort, entertainment and security of the entire household.
To begin your journey into the world of home automation, Techniku
is offering a “matchmaking” service on our Web site, introducing
design professionals to technology integrators. This is a free service
that will collect international data from participating designers
(who offer or are interested in offering Techniku automation solutions
with Z-Wave technology) and dealers/integrators (who specify or
are familiar with Z-Wave installations). Once the database is established,
we will match the participants with local partners to establish
a relationship. It will merge the expertise of two diverse professionals,
promoting a unique business opportunity with enormous growth potential
while providing the best product and service offering to the consumer.
Visit the “Match Maker” section at www.techniku.com to
complete your information on the secure and private database. Your
partner information will be e-mailed to you . . . and then let the
magic begin!
Techniku, located in the United States and The Nether-lands,
is an international leader in the design and manufacture of automation
solutions and controls for interior window coverings. With a market
approach to innovation, Techniku is committed to the success of
the window covering industry by creating robust automation solutions
combined with the highest levels of consumers support.
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