As more DIY smart home equipment hits the market, integrators need to be prepared to intelligently discuss (or debate) with clients the pros and cons of an entry-level system compared to a professionally designed and installed system. 

Before that conversation can even take place, it is vital integrators “speak the same language” as their prospective customers. Setting definitions for vague terms like the “Internet of Things (IoT)” is a great starting point. The entire smart home market is being grouped with an IoT term these days, which is good and bad. On the positive side, smart home technology is bound to get more attention when it is included in the same discussion with smart appliances, TVs, thermostats and other devices. However, the negative connotation is that consumers are being led to believe that the IoT strictly refers to a plug-and-play DIY solution and are dumbfounded when they realize the communication between devices in the home can be limited withouth professional assistance.

So where do you start? The new “Guide to Navigating Smart Home Technology: DIY vs. Professional” is a free partner-series white paper produced by CE Pro in conjunction with Lutron. The Guide will help integrators set a common ground of terminology with clients, and delve deeper into definitions to use for various equipment categories, including:

• Multiroom Audio / Video
• Security
• Home Networks
• Energy Management
• Lighting Control
• Automated Shade Control

In each category section, there is verbiage and discussion points that dealers can use to communicate effectively the limitation of capabilities for DIY vs. professional smart home systems. 

Among the talking points are:

• Understanding the various wireless protocols in the home
• Recognizing the cybersecurity threats to a DIY home network
• Explaining the different response capabilities of a DIY camera system vs. a professional installation unit that is linked to multiple other subsystems in the home
• What connecting a wireless audio system might do to a home network, and how to mitigate potential problems
• How to showcase the power of a professionally installed multiroom audio in conjunction with lighting controls
• How smart thermostats can integrate with other subsystems in the home
• How smart lighting control can create ambiance and save energy
• How automated shades are getting smarter.

Whether your client is building a new home or updating an existing one, there are so many solutions to choose from… battery control, remote control, wired and wireless, control from ipads, and smartphones and a slew of other possibilities…

Read this guide to help your clients find the solution that is right for their home and budget. The “Guide to Navigating Smart Home Technology: DIY vs. Professional” can be downloaded for free. 

.