Working in harmony

THE MARKET demand is shifting at a rapid rate towards embracing smart technologies, with latest statistics¹suggesting that by 2022, a typical home may contain more than 500 ‘smart home devices.’

With security currently seen as high on the priority list when it comes to smart home adoption (coming third only to smart speakers and smart thermostats²)

Set the scene

This years’ Smart Home Week³, reported that there are now 15 million so called ‘smart homes’ in Britain, which equates to four in 10 and the majority believe it saves on time and money. 

According to an associated ²poll of 2,000 adults, 57 per cent of homes now have some sort of smart device to control appliances such as the lights, security, kettle or vacuum cleaner. The study shows a third of adults already have a smart door bell, 33 per cent own app-controlled exterior cameras and 17 per cent have app-controlled locks.

We know smart home technology is an investment in the future as much as it is in the present. And with UK homes becoming smarter, this trend is set to continue. Homeowners will continue to expect more and it is our duty to introduce new technologies to match rapidly evolving homes.

The whole definition of a smart home, is no longer about entertainment or convenience – but ways to improve and enhance our lives. 

As technology becomes more available and more affordable, new solutions to everyday problems are being solved through faster, smaller, more accessible and easier to use technology. It is no surprise this is an evolving trend reshaping the future of our home in the present and future. And this is especially true for smart security.

Video doorbell technology

This can currently be seen in the fast pace adoption of the video doorbell, such as Comelit’s stylish Visto range. Described as being ‘amongst some of the most sought after items of smart home tech currently available on the market,' not only can these be managed from our smart phone, but the increasing capability of voice controlled technology adds to peace of mind for home security and personal safety.

So much so, as people of different ages and generations, grapple with a variety of new requirements, there is an increased need to monitor and manage door entry.

Home deliveries which arrive unpredictably – and for which we might not be at home – require the ability both to check who is there, and possibly to open the door (if you trust them), or at least have a conversation. 

While video intercoms have been around for some years, the ability to control your door and view video over the internet hasn’t – and nor has the ability to unlock the door remotely, or provide a passcode that will let someone in via mobile application. 

And when they’re inside, a video monitor will check they go where they say: nothing deters thieves more thoroughly than knowing they’re in view.

But alongside acting as a deterrent, should the worst happen and a burglary occurs, the positive impact of smart technology is clear. Visual verification caught on a video doorbell is often requested by a budget, time and resource stretched Police Force to help their case and catch perpetrators.

Equally, though, those with elderly relatives can get peace of mind by knowing who has come to their door, deterring distraction burglars. And here, with security being a main driver, video doorbells can show who has been let in, or again, to let them in as required. At least the conversation can be had at the door to ensure visitors are genuine.

The future is only likely to evolve the capability of the video doorbell. Already at IFSEC 2019, we saw the growing influence of facial recognition for those who want to be on the cutting edge of smart home innovation.

Installer support

With the influx of smart home products and services flooding the residential and DIY market, especially with recognised brands involved, it would be understandable for security installers to feel placed out of this opportunity.

But there is a definite place for installers to take advantage of the smart home phenomenon and demonstrate solutions with added piece of mind, that can easily integrate into everyday life.

Comelit saw this recently at our work with Aubury Place, where we worked closely with Wheeler Electrical to ensure future residents can experience fully integrated smart door entry.

Set in Chiswick, London, Aubury Place is a new gated community of nine four, five and six bedroom homes. Every element of the design is focussed on creating an exceptional first impression, right from the bespoke touch screen entrance panel. 

Comelit’s specification team, together with chosen installers Wheeler Electrical, was involved with Kebbell Homes from the initial design process, through the works programme to project completion.

While originally, Comelit’s Icona monitors were considered, Kebbell Homes was instantly impressed with the capability of newly launched Mini Handsfree Wi-Fi Monitors. The new Comelit system would enable new residents to respond to door entry requests from any compatible mobile and benefit from video memory, to record missed calls.

But significantly, it was the comments of the installer that inspired. That the choice of the new Handsfree Monitors was easy to install from a professional perspective and as Ed Wheeler, Director from Wheeler Electric added, “has proven more cost effective and a better fit for today’s increasingly connected lifestyle choices.”

Says Andrea Fawell sales and marketing director at Kebbell Homes, “The aim with Aubury Place, as with all our developments, was to offer families spacious home options in prime locations. The ideals of luxury, convenience, comfort and understated elegance were all of paramount importance, and seeing everything from our resident’s point of view, to ensure our homes allow natural flows in tune with daily living.”

“Every small detail has been carefully considered and this is where Comelit latest options for door entry fitted our requirements. It means our residents can benefit from the latest technology, seamlessly installed, enabling them to instantly respond to door entry requests, with video, from wherever they are. And we can achieve this without compromising on the style, look and feel of this beautiful collection of homes.”

Integrated solutions

There is a secondary level to homeowner demand, as a result of the number of smart technologies taking over the home. With the way apps are delivered and maintained changing, home security is now becoming everyone’s responsibility.

New users require a simple user experience, and one app to control their home and schedule different activity in accordance with busy, often changeable, daily lives. The industry is working together to deliver this with increasing opportunities for integration. 

Here intensive teamwork is the key to success, as Comelit in the UK and Italy experienced when it integrated with Salto. This was to maximise the opportunities with its established KS cloud-based services and enable push audio and visual functionality, including remote, real-time access even whilst homeowners are not on site for deliveries and visitors. 

Such integrations from powerful manufacturers coming together with professional installation can only work to provide further reassurance that home security is not only smarter than ever but allows peace of mind.

But we know it’s only the first step. We are already working on next phases and further third-party integration, incorporating more into our app capability and anticipating solutions that keep people, and their homes, powered and protected wherever they are.

If we were to summarise, it is perhaps now undisputed that as responsible manufacturers we cannot ignore the demand for increasingly connected lives and the need to evolve security technology to ensure the safety and security of homeowners. 

After all, there is a reason when it comes to consumer demand, a predicted⁴£10.8 billion is set to be spent on smart home devices/appliances by the end of this year (2019), according to projections by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).

But at the same time, we are conscious of simplifying the installation process to enable more installers the chance to offer this smart technology and add that a necessary sense of presence, even when we are not at home. 

We are working closely with the industry, directing resources into creating consumer demand and driving innovation into the integrated security and connected smart home channels.

Ultimately, if we take a step back and consider twenty years ago, we didn’t know who was calling on us, and actively had to go to our front door to welcome visitors or organise deliveries. It’s fair to say, people are thinking differently about security now where they didn’t before - about whether there’s an alarm, smart locks and sensors in their home. And it can bring benefits to the wider community, and even our Police Forces. 

This is the integrated smart home evolution - and it’s an exciting time for us all.

References

1. Gartner says a typical family home could contain more than 500 smart devices by 2022:https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2014-09-08-gartner-says-a-typical-family-home-could-contain-more-than-500-smart-devices-by-2022

2. Smart Homes: the future of living:https://www.thetimes.co.uk/raconteur/technology/smart-homes-future-living/

3. Home Is Where The Smart Is: https://www.smarthomeweek.co.uk/

4. The Smart Home Brits Will Expect As Standard:https://www.showhouse.co.uk/news/the-smart-home-products-brits-will-expect-as-standard/

Francesca Boeris is managing director at Comelit UK. For more information,visit https://www.comelitgroup.com/en-gb/