Home Automation Systems -- Fitting the Customer's Needs

Many home automation (HA) component manufacturers now-a-days are specializing and operating in niche markets, developing state-of-the-art products that claim to be designed to fit the customer's needs. But is this really so? Are these products truly designed around the customer? And how do you design a product that fits everyone's needs and is easy for the contractor to install?

In my opinion, there isn't a product that fits everyone's needs and, even more so, everyone's budget. This statement may come as a shock to installers and manufacturers, but it is the plain truth. However, there's a way to make sure that the system fits the customer's lifestyle, but it is up to the customer to make sure of this and not the systems installer.

Whenever customers who've never lived in an automated house walk through the door of a HA installer's office, they usually already have an idea of what systems they want to install. They have either seen a system in operation at a friend's or relative's house or have done a fair amount of research on the subject. However, hardly any company can claim that they can install any product brand that the customers have laid their eyes on. Instead the customers are normally "talked into" settling for various brands that the particular installer is most familiar with. This may not be a bad thing, since the installer can assure the customers that they will get the best technical support and after-sales service possible for each individual product. On the negative side is the fact that customers need to change their expectations, budget and even lifestyle in order to adapt to the new system. This is unless they have performed a thorough analysis of their lifestyle and how they plan to upgrade it using the convenience and other benefits that home automation has to offer.

In-depth discussion and research are vital steps to an efficient and user-friendly system, so before a customer goes to a systems installer, they should be sure to get their facts right from the start. This will save headaches later. They should sit down with members of the family and discuss what everyone is expecting. This process will be repeated with the systems installer, but by using this method they will ensure that there will be no external influence or bias from the installer. Jotting down specific issues and functions that everyone in the house would like to have and give ratings to each item, is also a good idea. This will make it easy to truncate your system features should these requirements increase the system price above the budget threshold. At this stage it is important not to be brand-specific unless a particular function can be performed by one specific brand only, since this will limit the choice of systems installers.

The next vital step is to determine level of control over the system. Is there a need to control the entire house from one location? In how many locations will this be and how many people are controlling the entire house at the same time? This will determine the level of control and avoid the confusion of having one person turn down the volume while the other needs it turned up in the same zone from different locations.

One of the most important items in planning a Home Automation system is "Keep it simple." Once needs have been determined, it's time for the customer to sit back and let the systems installer guide them through the process of enhancing your home's looks, value and comfort.