Survey: More Than Half Of Consumers Interested In Home Automation Services

The home monitoring market is set to undergo major transformation as a result of robust consumer interest and the emergence of new technologies offering digitally networked services and enhanced functionality compared with traditional systems.

In a recent IDC poll of 1,500 consumers, more than half expressed interest in the ability to monitor and control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, as well as electricity and home appliances from an external PC or wireless phone.

The home security and monitoring market, traditionally dominated by ADT and Brink's, has changed little in decades and remained largely unaffected by the Internet.

The major difference between traditional and next-generation security systems is that the latter are broadband-based and offer redundant connectivity via wireless and voice, while most ADT systems rely on voice or wireless alone.

Likewise, the home automation market is not mature and has few consumer applications with widespread appeal and ease of use. Emerging vendors profiled in a new IDC study include InGrid, iControl, and uControl. The latter two allow the networking of compatible home utilities and appliances, linking home security and monitoring with energy management, and can potentially bring home automation to the mainstream.

"The new home security systems are digital, broadband-based, and give the user unprecedented control, including the ability to log in and control systems from anywhere," said Irene Berlinsky, research analyst, Multiplay Services. "New distribution channels through cable and telecommunications companies will reach non-traditional customers and potentially expand the entire market."

Changes in the American landscape (aging baby boomers, rising energy prices) will increase long-term demand for home security/monitoring/automation services. The speed of adoption will depend on how quickly service providers roll out such services to their customers. They are in an ideal position to push these services because consumers contact them directly to sign up for or transfer service upon moving to a new residence. Also, existing customers that move are likely to call their cable or telco before their home security provider, presenting an opportunity for the former to sell a home monitoring service compatible with legacy systems.

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New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.