Katie Plumstead, Group Marketing Manager at Scolmore Group, looks at the current state of the UK home automation market and what is driving growth.

According to a recent report by market research company ReportLinker, the UK has emerged as a prominent player in the global smart home industry with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.45% from 2022 to 2027. By the end of this period the market is expected to reach a valuation of US$17.81 billion, fuelled by increasing consumer awareness, technological advancements, and government initiatives supporting energy efficiency and sustainability.

One significant trend shaping the UK smart home market is the rising adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which facilitate seamless communication between various home appliances and systems. This increased connectivity has paved the way for innovative home automation solutions, providing homeowners with improved energy management, security and convenience.

Another notable trend is the growing demand for voice-controlled smart home devices, driven by the popularity of virtual assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri. This has led to the development of a wide range of voice-enabled products, including smart speakers, lighting systems, thermostats and security systems, which are increasingly integrated into the daily lives of UK consumers.

Diverse sector

The smart home sector is diverse and incorporates a broad range of products, ranging from highly integrated, high spec systems, fully smart home designed through to low cost, lower spec, products with limited installation requirements and singular functionality.

Previously, smart home technology was primarily associated with luxury homes and large residential projects due to its high cost. However, there has been an increasing demand for retrofitting home automation products among enthusiastic consumers who are eager to integrate new technology into their homes.

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.

Ultimate control

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.

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, a Scolmore Group company, continues to enjoy success with its Fort Smart Security range launched over two years ago. Fort provides installers with a comprehensive range of products that covers all aspects of smart home security and is designed to be simple to install, maintain and use – making it an ideal solution for wholesalers to promote to their customers. The Fort 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.

For more information, click here

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Spring is in the air and a time when the focus for homeowners shifts to their outdoor space. Katie Plumstead, Group Marketing Manager at Scolmore Group, looks at ways professional installers can bring power to the outdoors to create a safer, brighter and more welcoming recreational space. 

Whatever outdoor project is being planned, the advice is always to make sure a reputable professional is engaged to ensure that any work is carried out safely and meets all the required regulations. This is where professional electricians come into their own, with the necessary skills and knowledge to advise their customers on how best to bring power to the outdoors and to upgrade or improve existing lighting installations.

Across the Scolmore Group there is an array of products that installers can call on to provide power, lighting and security protection to enhance their customers’ outdoor spaces and some of these are highlighted here, giving wholesalers a heads up on what they should be stocking to meet demand.

Watertight solution

Power can be brought safely to sheds, office spaces, heating and hot tubs, with the Aquip66 range of IP66 rated, easy-to-install 10A and 20A weatherproof outdoor switches and sockets.

The IP66-rated weatherproof socket and switch enclosures offer users a single fix installation. The range includes 1 and 2 Gang switch enclosures which utilise MiniGrid single width switch modules which are rated at 10A, as well as 1 and 2 gang switches that utilise the GridPro range of modules and offer 20A switching options. A 13A switched fused connection unit is also available with a semi-transparent cover with neon power indicator, as well as with a standard cover.

The right connection

Providing a strong, quick and reliable solution when working with cables and power outdoors is Unicrimp’s Q-NECT IP66 Weatherproof Junction Box. Designed to make installations more efficient, it can house four of the 3 Port Lever Connectors using the 360° detachable cradle and with a curved lid, it provides additional space for wires. The lid is locked using quarter turn fasteners. There are 10 membrane entry points, and protection against moisture and dust is enhanced with the self-sealing membranes which provide a faster and more secure cable entry whilst at the same time maintaining the IP66 rating. These junction boxes with semi-transparent lids are available in a black or anthracite grey finish, with the anthracite grey colour option designed to match the Click Aquip66 weatherproof socket and switch enclosures, which are also available with the same semi-transparent lids.

Smart control outdoors

With power brought to the outdoor spaces, Scolmore’s Click Smart+ range will allow remote control of any electrical elements outside – switching on lighting, controlling an outdoor appliance or sprinklers, or the ability to switch off power for security.

The Click Smart+ range has been created to simplify and streamline connected home products – lighting controls, smart sockets, security cameras and sensors. It 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. This creates multiple pathways for the connection of multiple smart home devices without compromising signal and communication range.

Working alongside Click Smart+ is the Fort range of smart security products from Scolmore Group company ESP. The range includes intruder alarms, video doorbell, video security light, sensors and a selection of 1080p cameras. They all operate under the same ‘Click Smart+’ app – which is completely subscription-free, with no additional fees incurred. By bringing the operation of the Fort range under the Click Smart+ app from Scolmore, users will have control of a raft of connected home and security products all from one secure, easy to access platform.

Lighting the way

When it comes to lighting solutions for the garden, it is worth considering the main functions that are required. These could include accessibility, highlighting of particular areas of the garden, security and aesthetics.

Ovia has a raft of lighting solutions for the outdoors including the recent addition of a solar powered security light. A more sustainable lighting solution, the Zonne has a radiant 8W output, and casts a crisp 4000k temperature glow at an impressive 950 lumens. The fitting is IP65 rated and it has a charge time of 5-6 hours to fully charged and has two working modes – Mode A: 3-5 Nights and Mode B: 2-3 Nights. It is designed to be installed at a height of 4m and comes with 3m of connection cable.

Ovia’s Pathfinder LED floodlights are an ideal way to provide ambient lighting around the garden – lighting up walkways, driveways, as well as highlighting architectural features when used as an up-lighter. The range offers 40 options from 10W to 300W, with fittings up to 50W available in both black and white finishes and they come in a choice of Warm White or Cool White colour temperatures. The standard range can be used with remote sensors PIRs (indoor and outdoor) or Microwave sensors (indoor only) as well as with the Click Smart+ control system.

With power and lighting in the garden all under control, full advantage of its benefits can be taken all year round.

For more information, click here

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ESP has released its latest catalogue, an easy to access reference guide bringing together all products from its extensive portfolio into one.

The updated edition features its latest addition, the Aperta IP Door Access range.

The new catalogue provides wholesalers, contractors, and specifiers with a valuable resource to help them locate the right products and solutions for a variety of projects. It divides into eight main product categories consisting of Smart Security, CCTV, Access Control, EVAC, Fire Protection, Emergency Lighting, Essentials and Sangamo timers, heating controls.

Katie Plumstead, Group Marketing Managing for Scolmore Group, comments: “ESP has continued to invest in its teams, infrastructure, and product development programme and in the last four months we have been able to bring to market a whole new door access range.”

For more information, click here

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As the market for smart home products continues to grow, Katie Plumstead, Group Marketing Manager with Scolmore Group company ESP, looks at some of the latest additions to the company’s Fort smart security range.

It is now approaching two years since ESP launched its range of Fort smart security products and the range continues to be popular both for the installers fitting the products and the wholesalers stocking the range, with its choice of easy to install and set up security solutions.

Fort is a complete range of smart security products, which includes intruder alarms, video doorbell, video security light, sensors and a selection of 1080p cameras. 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 new Fort range under the well established, tried and tested 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.

The Fort smart security range offers accessibility and simplicity for both the installer and end user and has been designed to bring simple, smart solutions together for a safer and more comfortable home. The range features contemporary styling and has been designed to be simple to install, maintain and use and provide a hassle-free security solution.

At the heart of the Fort smart security range is the smart intruder alarm, which will support up to 32 RF devices and provide remote monitoring and alert notifications directly to the Click Smart+ app. The smart alarm is available in handy kits or can be purchased as separate devices for a tailor-made system.

Straightforward install

There are six different kits in the range, with the basic kit containing one each of the following – a smart hub, PIR, door/window contact and remote control. Other kits offer an additional number of PIRs, door/window contacts and remote controls, and there are two kits which include Pet PIRs. All devices supplied within the kits are pre-registered, to assist with a straightforward install.

The Wi-Fi smart alarm hub includes an inbuilt siren, back up battery with up to eight hours’ standby time and GSM back up facility (SIM not included) for additional system security. The hub is compatible with a range of battery powered RF devices that can be controlled to provide whole home security in and around a property. In addition, the Fort range includes Wi-Fi security devices such as a video doorbell, video security light and a selection of 1080p cameras, all of which are supported on the same app and do not require any additional subscription fees other than a Wi-Fi connection. Accessories include remote keypad, pet friendly PIRs, vibration sensor and an option of a solar powered or wired external siren for an additional intruder deterrent.

The range also includes a smart alarm keypad which provides a central keypad that is usually positioned in entrances and hallways.  The keypad requires the Smart Alarm Hub and provides users with arm, disarm, home mode and panic functions.

The Fort range also offers a range of security devices that does not require a hub. By connecting directly to Wi-Fi, the various devices add an additional layer of security to your property. The range of security devices includes a video doorbell to monitor visitors, security floodlights with inbuilt cameras to deter intruders at night and a range of simple to use cameras for a range of applications, such as monitoring loved ones and pets or simply to provide reassurance whilst monitoring your property.

Appy days

ESP believes a key element to the success of its smart security range is its subscription-free app. Unlike some systems on the market which will provide a free basic system, but charge for additional devices and functions, users of the Fort smart security system, powered by Click Smart+, have full access to all devices and functions with no subscription fee or hidden costs to pay. The app provides an easy-to-use platform to remotely arm and disarm the system, whilst producing real time events such as activations and low battery indication status. In addition, the app supports a range of Click Smart+ home automation products which enables a range of sockets and switches to be activated in certain system scenarios.

The Fort Smart Security brochure can be downloaded at www.espuk.com as well as from the Scolmore Group app, and a video can be viewed here.

For more information, click here

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