Leverage Home Automation

Learn more about the connected home market

  • By Pat Comunale
  • Nov 01, 2014

The connected home is emerging as an exploding market sector for security dealers and integrators. In simple terms, a connected home connects smart devices, lights, thermostats and appliances, links them together, and controls them with centralized interfaces. These devices can be connected via a LAN, Wireless Home Network (WLAN) or the Internet.

Many homeowners also are looking to link or connect devices such as a Media Center—television, receiver, DVD recorder, media player or gaming consoles—wireless IP cameras, Skype and/or VoIP phones, print servers, music bridges, wireless broadband routers and even their cars if they’re equipped with Wi-Fi and/or other compatible hardware. And, they love the convenience and flexibility of being able to access these devices while they’re away from home using their mobile phones.

Many recent market research studies, including those conducted by MarketsandMarkets, a full service market research and consulting firm, and GMI, a division of Lightspeed Research, a provider of technology-enabled solutions and online responses for global market research, indicate that the connected homes sector is growing exponentially. According to the recent Marketsand- Markets report, “Connected Living Room Market by Products (Smart/3D, LED/LCD/OLED TV, set top box, home theater projector, audio equipment, Blu-ray player, gaming console), Technology (Processor, Memory, Sensor, Connectivity) & Geography - Global Trend & Forecast 2013 to 2020, the global market is expected to cross $957.65 billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 6.8 percent rate from 2014 to 2020.”

And, GMI’s Internet of Things (IoT) study showed that winners in the connected home markets will be those manufacturers who can deliver a strong balance of security and privacy with respect to pricing and functionality.

So, what does all this mean for today’s dealers and integrators? There is money to be made, market share to gain, and customers to attract. Although the fully-connected home remains a bit too pricey for some homeowners, many are buying into some of the options. Among the most popular are lighting control, including lights that are timed and triggered by an intrusion/thermostat remote control and other remote services.

Dealers and integrators can transition into this growing market by educating themselves on these opportunities and product applications. Each and every TRI-ED branch hosts ongoing trainings and Counter Days, and our staff and systems specialists stand ready to support customers and expand their scope of services.

TRI-ED’s Technology Roadshows feature training spanning all product categories. Two of the shows take place in Texas. One was at the Holiday Inn Austin Midtown in September and another was at the Hilton North Houston which took place in October.

The Customer Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) is a fabulous resource for advancing in the Home Automation sector. CEDIA’s 2014 EXPO was held from Sept. 10 to 13 in Denver and helped attendees get up close and personal with the products and trends driving the residential technology market.

As referenced on CEDIA’s website, “At CEDIA EXPO you will find the right type of advanced and fundamental training on home tech to help you conquer and profit from changes in the industry. CEDIA EXPO covers audio, video, control, security, automation, networking, energy management and more. From certification opportunities to a wealth of new ideas and products, CEDIA EXPO is where every technology professional should be, no matter their service focus.”

If you’re not already working in and leveraging the home automation market, now is the perfect time to start. Many dealers who are staying competitive and profitable are capitalizing on something we’ve known all along—there’s no place like home.

This article originally appeared in the November 2014 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Pat Comunale is the president and CEO of Tri-Ed.

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