AFRAID OF COMMITMENT? TRY AVIASMART

This is the experience of Mike Derham, whose company Mighton Products launched into the smart hardware market in 2019 with its AviaSmart, Apple HomeKit compliant, multi-point door lock. With steady direct sales to homeowners growing since its launch at the hugely influential ‘CES’ Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas four years ago, sales of the AviaSmart door lock have been steady. This is due to the impressive tech behind the product, the Apple HomeKit branding, but also because it is eminently retrofittable by anyone that can handle a screwdriver and load a smartphone app.

And that, says Mike, is the crux of the matter, and a core benefit of what is now a range of complementary smart products: “Our products have all been designed to be easily retrofitted and operated through a welltested smartphone app,” explained Mike, “but, importantly, one that does not demand a subscription. I believe that in a market that is still establishing, subscriptions present a further barrier to people adopting such products for their homes, which is why we have taken the simpler approach – products that are easy to understand, to fit and to operate.”

The door lock has now been extended into a range of complementary products, all with the same philosophy of ‘keep it simple’. Now included are a unique smart sash fastener for VS windows, smart casement handles and secure door and window sensors, and accessories such as a smart plug and PIR sensor, all of which connect to the AviaSmart app to provide homeowners with a fully integrated security system for their homes.

The casement window handle simply replaces standard casement handles and looks like any normal handle. The AviaSmart BSI Secure socket is a highly useful device with energy monitoring and remote scheduling functions, as well as the ability to provide audio and visual feedback to the homeowner. The advanced PIR motion sensor is capable of operating for over a year on battery power alone – or up to five years if combined with an optional mini solar panel. It can detect intruders from up to 10m away, sounding an audible alert or powerful LED when activated. Continuing the policy of gaining formal approval and awards for all AviaSmart products in order to instil consumer confidence, the AviaSmart multi-point smart lock was one of the first to be awarded Sold Secure SS301 Silver approval and is a recipient of the Internet of Things (IoT) ‘Smart Lock Product of the Year’ award, a globally recognised accolade that underlines the quality of the device’s smart security.

It features a 2-star external handle and a 3-star cylinder, a reinforced stainless steel backing plate to protect against external attack and is designed and tested to PAS 24:2016. In addition to having undergone the rigorous testing standards of Apple HomeKit, all

AviaSmart products are Secured by Design where relevant. And crucially, it may be manually operated by a key if required, thus alleviating a common doubt amongst potential users. And of course, all AviaSmart products are compatible with Apple products, including iPhone, iPad, and Apple watch; the Deadlock also works with Apple Home Keys, with all operating seamlessly with Apple HomeKit.

“We have worked very hard to ensure that every AviaSmart product is intuitive to use, easy to fit, and crucially of course, simple to operate. What this means is that retail installers can offer AviaSmart products to their customers and, when they are chosen, they can fit them themselves prior to, or during installation of the windows and doors.

“Confidence in smart products is essential for sales to grow from the installer’s point of view, as well as the homeowner,” says Mike. “Making them simple to consider, purchase, fit and operate, remains at the heart of AviaSmart. And the only commitment required by homeowners is to buy the product, not to a long-term subscription, which we believe puts installers and buyers off.” www.mightonproducts.com