It’s not very smart if it’s not connected

Let’s just get right into it. There is much confusion about home automation. Let’s breakdown the differences between smart devices, automation controllers, DIY (do-it-yourself) and professional automation systems.

It’s not smart if it’s not connected. Think of this statement when you are looking at smart devices for your home. Many devices can be smart, but how smart is it if it only works alone? If your smart device like nest thermostat, zwave light switch or sonos sound system needs to be triggered by you from multiple Apps on your phone, then it really isn’t smart at all it’s actually pretty dumb.
True automation can only come from multiple devices that can connect and integrate with one another, these systems are typically controlled from a main control system that takes all these devices and integrates them into 1 system that seamlessly work together to create a system that allows different devices to trigger other devices or multiple devices in unison. There are 2 different levels of this automation, first being basic automation like the Qolsys alarm system that is an alarm system with zwave automation controller built in. With the Qolsys alarm system you are able to control your alarm system along with zwave devices like a zwave thermostat, zwave lights, zwave door lock or garage door controller. All of these systems and devices are connected and controlled from a single user interface and trigger 1 another to create basic automation. An example would be if the alarm system is armed it would trigger all the lights to turn off, turn the thermostat down and lock the door.

Now we can take that a giant step further with a professional automation system like Control4 that manufactures their own devices plus connect and integrate with almost any smart device on the market today, allowing you to keep existing smart devices and still connect and control them within 1 system. Control4 can also trigger manual devices through relays and contacts like fireplaces and water valves. Control distributed audio and video throughout the home. This allows for much more robust automation sequences like.

• When the doorbell is pressed play an announcement “You have a visitor at the front door” over all the speakers in the house
• Turn all TVs to the front door security camera
• Flash certain lights twice
• Return to what was previously playing on the TV after 10 seconds
• All of these events can be triggered automatically by the Control4 system however the user prefers.

The more connected devices that are integrated into 1 system the more control and programmable series of events you can create.

So remember it’s not just having a smart device but having a device that connects and integrates to others that makes an automated home versus a smart home.

SASA – Sight and Sound Automation
“Make The Connection”

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Categorised in: Home Automation

This post was written by Mark.K