TAKING CONTROL

Mal Fisher, Chief Technology Officer at AWE, discusses all things control and the factors shaping the evolution of the UK market.

For every revolution in ‘smart home control’, there are far more interesting and valuable incremental improvements. But, for all the improvement in features and benefits from control and automation companies, we’re seeing a drift as more integrators adopt a latherrinse-repeat approach to their programming.

That can absolutely work from a business perspective, as long as the client is getting the result they want. We often talk about the primacy of the customer experience in our industry. This focus is what sets technology integrators apart and gives them a professional edge over the limitations of DIY-ers and hobbyists. It’s also not an approach that works if there’s a desire to seize more of the ‘resi-mercial’ (love the sector, hate the word) market. More of that later, but if anyone has an alternative term for it, please get in touch!

Those integrators who embrace customisation will take the market in the opposite, higher value direction. The best control platforms out there provide the chance for graphical customisation and exceptional personalisation, that will properly address the needs and expectations of the user, whether that’s through adding new backgrounds, icons, or room images to the user interface, through the creation of custom device drivers and advanced system programming. Each user deserves an interface built so that they can recognise it as their own, even if it’s just an app-based system.

Such open-minded flexibility is also bringing those resi-mercial projects (anyone?), in offices and hospitality applications, within reach for this type of control system. The level of graphical customisation that is available enables the client to build a strong brand identity and presence amongst their employees and their customers. Elevating and communicating the brand in this way is recognised as a valuable asset by a growing number of organisations.

At the same time, project size is no longer a barrier to easy, intuitive control deployments. Instead, integrators can focus on delivering the project elements that are meaningful to the user, whether that’s different audio zoned into primary and secondary areas, scene setting lighting and more efficiently controlled heating and security.

For example, high-definition audio (HDA) multi-zone systems which offers studio-quality fidelity, easy installation and best-in-class dealer profit are fully scalable to fit most residential or commercial environments. They’re distributing audio across an AVB network, and are loaded with powerful features like ducking and paging, full DSP and easy integration with URC’s Total Control system.

Customisation to elevate the customer experience is the way forward. It’s the DNA of our industry and too valuable to be put at risk by an increasing reliance on standardised control solutions. At their best, control platforms provide faster, more intuitive and easier to use system set-up and configuration, alongside improved scalability and flexibility, and new business opportunities in resi-mercial applications.

Personalisation and good audio continue to be key growth areas