I accept the devices without benefit because it’s fun. I wave off obvious glitches and issues like a new mom waves off comments that she has an ugly baby.
The first wave of smart home settlers, me included, have plowed through the prairie. The rest of the world? They tried to follow, but realised that living with smart things creates headaches without outweighing benefits.
Argus Insights, a consumer research company, reports that demand for smart home products has actually fallen by 15% this past year.
Should we throw our hands up in the air and bury the idea of home automation next to Sony’s Aibo dog or the Minidisc?
To quote Sun Tzu: In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
Home security installer? You’re a tech company now
According to data from ABI Research, “the global sensor and device market for home security and automation is expected to grow from $1.4bn in 2015 to $4bn in 2019.
If you want to be left behind, ignore the smart home market. One installer told IFSEC Global that “installers face a simple choice: move up from alarm installer to another level, or the IT companies and home automation companies will just add ‘alarm installer’ to their bow.”
They couldn’t be more right. They are coming for you and it will be fast and furious. In some ways the takeover is already in progress, Best Buy has Geek Squad, Wink has Pro.com, Lowes has Porch.com and Samsung’s SmartThings has been talking about ways to bundle in services for at least a year.
Why not flip the game upside down?
A recent study by Parks Associates showed that of the homes surveyed without a security system, 20-40% said they would adopt one WITH smart home features. And Lowe’s 2014 Smart Home Survey revealed that 62% of Americans find the smart home most beneficial for monitoring safety and security.
Consumers want a smart home and the gateway drug is home security. There is opportunity for those willing to embrace technology. But first, we need to address the challenges stifling smart home growth.
Courtesy of SmartThings by Samsung
CHALLENGE ONE: There are security issues with smart things.
One of the primary issues facing the home automation market is security. Engadget has warned that ‘The Internet of Things isn’t Safe’, Naked Security, echoed this saying ‘Hacked: yup, even your skateboard isn’t safe’ and Wired reported that “Hacked Fridges Aren’t the Internet of Things’ Biggest Worry’.
In my head the solution is simple. Consumers need to secure their network, create challenging passwords, and keep their firmware up to date. Easy, right?
It’s not easy to the average consumer whose password is 123456 and whose refrigerator is now being attacked by Russian hackers.
CHALLENGE TWO: You want a monthly revenue stream
You want a monthly revenue stream off of a market with a strong DIY undercurrent? Unrealistic.
What is realistic is understanding the challenge and identifying an alternate solution that is a win for consumers and a win for you. Consumers are frustrated with products we market as plug and play.
Earlier Argus Insights research revealed that most consumer animosity arose from the frustrating and time-consuming challenges of connecting devices to the home WiFi network.
A study by Parks Associate suggested that “service providers can shift to business models that are indirectly consumer funded. Advertising, lead generation, participating in energy markets, and in-app product sales allow service providers to collect recurring revenue, but not in the form of a monthly fee paid by the consumer.”
Customers don’t want to call an installer back every time they want to make a change; they want to own the smart home. They want it to feel DIY, which eliminates the value in a monthly fee.
CHALLENGE THREE: You don’t want to install the sexy devices
In June 2015, 165,000 people searched Google for ‘Nest Thermostat’, 201,000 for ‘Dropcam’, and 40,500 for ‘SmartThings’. These devices, and others, are trendy. People want them. Are you installing them?
ADT is paving the way through their partnership with Nest and IFTTT. They understand that in order to stay relevant, they need to partner with the cool kids instead of viewing them as the enemy.
CHALLENGE FOUR: Consumers don’t know who you are
The market is wide open. Though there are options, can you name one single installer that’s owning the smart home market? I can’t, though it seems like broadband companies are making a bit of headway.
The perception of smart home integrators is that:
1. They’re expensive and focus on luxury home projects.
2. They use proprietary software and equipment.
Is this a perception issue? A marketing issue? A market gap? What say you?
I say integrators have a unique opportunity. The desire is there and people are learning that piecing together a smart home platform is not as easy as it looks. Consumers want simple and they aren’t getting it.
The author is co-founder of smart-home resource SecurityGem.com
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SecurityGem Very insightful, Rose 🙂
DroplitHome thanks
geat information. more here.. http://www.diyhomesecurityguide.com/