Neil Baldwin, Managing Director with ESP, looks at what is driving growth in the smart home market sector and how the launch of the company’s new Fort Smart Security Range is perfectly timed to provide wholesalers and installers with the means to easily tap into this lucrative revenue stream.

The most recent report from Mintel – UK The Connected Home Market Report 2021 – provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date information and analysis of the UK Connected Home market, including the behaviours, preferences and habits of the consumer.

According to the report, the overall smart home market has been boosted by the lifestyle changes from COVID-19, with ownership of all connected home products increasing between March 2020 and March 2021. Older Millennials are expected to be key to the market’s long-term success as they are the most likely (66 per cent) to say that spending time at home during COVID-19 has made them more likely to buy smart home devices. With a section of them intending to work from home in the long-term, this should help the overall connected home market.

As the pandemic recedes, we are having to adapt to a new normal and it is highly likely that we will spend more time in our homes than we did before the pandemic, as a result of working from home more than we did pre-COVID. The perennial key drivers for smart home adoption – such as convenience, security and energy saving – will continue to exert their influence.

Covering all aspects

As the rise in demand for smart home products continues, there is ample opportunity for installers to tap into this burgeoning sector. ESP decided to tackle this opportunity head on and has been working behind the scenes for some time to develop a comprehensive smart security range. The aim was to provide installers with a comprehensive range of products that covers all aspects of smart home security, is simple to install and operate and offers them an ideal opportunity to make the most of the huge rise in demand for smart home products that shows no sign of abating.

Marketed under the brand name ‘Fort’, the complete range of smart security products, which includes intruder alarms, video doorbell, video security light, sensors and a selection of 1080p cameras, will all operate under a single APP – the ‘Click Smart+’ App – which will be 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 will have control of a raft of connected home and security products all from one secure, easy to access platform.

 Simple and stylish

The Fort Smart Security range has at its core 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 Fort Smart Security 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.

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, backup battery with up to eight hours’ standby time and GSM backup 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 includes 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.

 Reassurance

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 security devices include a video doorbell to monitor visitors, security flood lights 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.

ESP believes a key element to the projected success of the new 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+, will 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.

We have seen the market for home security solutions grow enormously in recent years, fuelled by the rapid development in new technology, as well as a demand from end users for solutions to keep their families and properties secure.

We believe our Fort smart security range will challenge some of the operators in the marketplace. The fact that users can access and control all Fort smart security devices, as well as the Click Smart+ smart home devices, all under one easy to use and subscription-free App will make it an attractive proposition for installers and end users. For the wholesaler, it adds another potential revenue stream, in the form of a comprehensive new security range from a supplier with a longstanding reputation within the security products sector.

To download an A4 brochure or view a video on the fort range click here