Taking smart lighting efficiency to the next level, light monitoring dashboards are poised to revolutionise the industry. Kate Baker, Connected Lighting Manager at Ansell Lighting, provides an in-depth look at this cutting-edge technology, highlighting the commercial advantages for wholesalers and sharing valuable sales strategies and insights.
In a world fighting against rising energy bills and carbon emissions, technology that offers an insight into energy use and optimisation is worth its weight in gold.
Enter light monitoring dashboards. Used in conjunction with smart lighting systems, light monitoring dashboards are a brand-new technology that can provide users with the extensive insights needed to manage lighting use intelligently and effectively, cutting direct and indirect energy use.
Designed for use in commercial projects, they provide building owners and operators with a visual display of a building’s lighting system, collecting real-time information from smart fittings across the entire lighting installation network – whether that is one single building unit or a multi-site network. Offering central monitoring capability, dashboards capture data points such as energy consumption per fixture, occupancy patterns, brightness levels, temperature/environmental conditions around fixtures and maintenance alerts.
Considering that lighting accounts for up to 40% of a building’s total electricity consumption, the potential cost and energy savings these monitoring devices can deliver are huge. This level of visibility is transforming the way lighting systems can be managed and enabling data-driven decisions to be made to optimise energy use and reduce waste.
Key selling points
One such insight and a key selling point for wholesalers is that light monitoring dashboards can help users to identify inefficient lighting use such as lights operating unnecessarily or outside of programmed parameters. By highlighting such issues, building operators can adjust their installations at the click of a button, rectifying inefficiencies or re-scheduling settings to ensure energy is only used when and where it is needed.
Similarly, by analysing occupancy patterns, dashboards can also be used to optimise lighting schedules, again minimising any unnecessary energy use. For instance, lighting in less frequently used areas, such as storage rooms or stairwells, can be automated to turn off when the spaces are unoccupied, ensuring efficiency without compromising functionality.
Dashboards also offer huge benefits when it comes to maintenance. Providing specific insights into operating status and performance, they can help building operators to reduce the need for manual inspections and reactive repairs. For example, sensors can detect when a luminaire is nearing the end of its lifecycle or operating inefficiently due to overheating enabling operators to address issues before they escalate. This targeted approach ensures maintenance teams focus their efforts where they are most needed and don’t waste time carrying out unnecessary checks. Similarly, testing of emergency and non-emergency luminaires can also be carried out at the touch of a button, minimising the need for maintenance teams to drive around sites and manually check individual units. This predictive maintenance not only enhances efficiency but also supports wider carbon reduction efforts by reducing vehicle emissions and energy consumption associated with routine maintenance trips.
Another key selling point that wholesalers should be quick to share with customers is that light monitoring dashboards simplify what are often complex and time-consuming compliance and reporting procedures. All lighting data is actively stored on the dashboard and can be accessed at the touch of a button. Reports can be instantly compiled and customised to meet specific regulatory requirements, with accurate documentation readily available whenever needed. Whether it’s maintenance logs, tracking energy efficiency metrics or emergency lighting checks, this can save operators significant time and effort.
Commercial benefits
Commercially, light monitoring dashboards offer wholesalers a lucrative opportunity to increase revenues. The technology is increasingly in demand and by offering dashboards alongside a smart lighting range, wholesalers will be able to create a whole new revenue stream.
By offering this level of innovation, wholesalers will also be able to demonstrate a higher level of service and expertise. Providing customers with a cutting-edge solution that offers significant added value in terms of long-term cost and energy savings, the technology will help them to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market.
Sales techniques
When it comes to selling light monitoring dashboards, as with any new technology, the most important place for wholesalers to start is ensuring sales staff receive comprehensive training. A well trained sales team is key to successfully introducing these innovative products to the market and driving sales interest.
Training should cover both technical and practical aspects of light monitoring dashboards. Sales teams need to understand how the technology works, including its integration with smart lighting systems, the data it collects, and the actionable insights it provides. This technical knowledge will enable staff to answer customer queries effectively, explain the benefits of the technology in detail, and address any concerns potential buyers may have.
Staff should also be able to confidently use and demonstrate how the products work, showcasing their features and functionality in a way that resonates with customers. Practical, hands-on training sessions that simulate real-world scenarios can help sales teams build familiarity with the dashboards, ensuring they can walk customers through setup, operation, and troubleshooting with ease.
Training on the commercial advantages light monitoring dashboards bring to end-users is also hugely important and sales staff should be able to discuss key points such as the benefits of the technology, its ability to optimise energy use, reduce operational costs, streamline maintenance, and simplify reporting.
By being well-versed in the technology and its practical applications, sales teams will be better equipped to highlight the value of the technology, making it easier to demonstrate their benefits and drive sales.
Light monitoring dashboards are an important advancement in technology and will prove to be an indispensable tool for building owners and operators. By adopting these products into their product ranges from the outset, wholesalers will not only be able to position themselves as forward-thinking suppliers but will benefit from increased revenue and sales.
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