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.

Featured

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.