Katie Plumstead, Group Marketing Manager at Scolmore Group, looks at the details of a recent home automation market report to get a picture on the future of smart homes and the role of smart home security.
The 5th edition of the Home Automation Market Report – UK 2021-2025 is the latest market report from AMA Research, and it addresses the market for home automation products and systems, which has benefited in recent years from the continued growth in the spread of wireless and app based technologies.
According to the report, the home automation market value increased by more than 46% between 2016 and 2019. However, this growth was disrupted during 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK. After 2020, the market is expected to hit double digit growth with a forecasted increase of approximately 47% by 2025. Performance holding up during the Covid-19 pandemic is largely attributed to growth in the lower end of the sector and strong growth in online retailing. Home automation products have seen significant growth over the last decade, as house builders have started to embrace systems such as lighting and heating controls, with smart plugs also a growing sector.
A modular approach
The offering of modular systems which enable future expansion has also driven growth, and in addition, the development of systems aimed at self-installation has expanded significantly, helping to substantially reduce costs and make systems more affordable to a wider market. Greater interest and purchase of home security systems and devices has been encouraged by the wider availability of smartphone app controlled devices that are now more affordable and enable greater monitoring and control of security devices: access, CCTV, motion and smoke, water detectors and other devices.
With the rapid increase of availability of home automation products, manufacturers are addressing this situation by making 2nd and 3rd generation devices with a broader range of connectivity options and protocols. Medium-term prospects for home automation remain positive.
Scolmore – getting smarter
Renowned for its innovative and intuitive solutions in lighting and wiring accessories, Scolmore continues to invest in its Click Smart+ home automation range to meet the growing demand from contractors and end users for smart products and solutions. The comprehensive range is available through the electrical wholesale channel and will assist installers looking to boost their business with an enhanced smart home offer that will deliver a complete connected home experience to householders.
Designed to simplify and streamline connected home products – lighting controls, smart sockets, security cameras and sensors – the Click Smart+ range utilises Zigbee technology – one of the most widely adopted smart home communication protocols. Zigbee certified devices require the Click Smart+ Hub and communicate with each other using a mesh network which creates multiple pathways for the connection of multiple smart home devices without compromising signal and communication range. A key benefit of Zigbee and the new Click Smart+ range is that there is no requirement for a signal repeater, as all wired Zigbee devices have repeaters built in.
Click Smart+ has at its core accessibility and simplicity for the installer and end user and is designed to bring convenience, comfort, security, energy saving and ultimately more control in the home. Installation is simple and flexible, with no additional cables or wall cutting required, making it ideal for existing or newly constructed buildings. The bespoke Click Smart+ App gives householders ultimate control of the smart devices, which can also be operated through voice control in conjunction with a smart speaker.
Smart security solutions
As the rise in demand for smart home products continues, there is ample opportunity for wholesalers and installers to tap into this burgeoning sector. ESP launched its Fort Smart Security range towards the end of 2021 with the aim of providing installers with a comprehensive range of products that covers all aspects of smart home security.
Designed to be simple to install, maintain and use and to provide a hassle-free security solution, the range includes intruder alarms, video doorbell, video security light, sensors and a selection of 1080p cameras, and they all operate under a single APP – the ‘Click Smart+’ App – which is completely subscription-free, with no additional fees incurred. By bringing the operation of the Fort range under the well-established Click Smart+ App from Scolmore, users have control of a raft of connected home and security products all from one secure, easy to access platform.
To download the latest ClickSmart+ product catalogue click here
