Editor's Desk
January 15, 2007
Get the Word Out
A recent survey revealed that 72 percent of Americans would like to
be able to monitor their homes while they travel. The survey, conducted
by Kelton Research for the Z-Wave Alliance, polled 1,000 Americans and
found that nearly two out of five Americans find themselves wondering
if they've left an appliance on or a door unlocked at least some of
the time. It also found that many more would relax on vacation if they
knew all was well at home. While that desire is encouraging for the
home control market, it doesn't perfectly translate into awareness of
HOW to monitor your home from afar. That's why it's key that we get
the word out. According to Sam Lucero, senior analyst at ABI Research,
the home control market is poised for significant growth in 2007.
As evidenced by the interest level (but not necessarily the knowledge)
of Z-wave products and technology at the recent CES show in Las Vegas,
consumers do want to have this ability to monitor their homes, whether
they be primary or vacation homes. The desire to have full control over
what's going on while you're at work or away on vacation is growing.
But one thing is clear, apart from the somewhat small group who know
how this all works - the DIY market hovers somewhere between 5 and 20
percent, according to Bill Ablondi, director, home systems research
at Parks Associates - not many folks are at the stage where they can
install and run a home-based network.
"Thanks to the relatively recent introduction of new wireless
technologies, such as Z-Wave, home automation and control is reaching
mainstream consumers like never before and once consumers realize the
benefits of the technology there's no going back," says Lucero.
That's where the companies that belong to the Z-Wave alliance can step
in - to help consumers realize those benefits. Whether the product is
geared toward the DIY crowd or the integrator/installer crowd, consumer
awareness is the vital link that will make it all work. And one way
or the other that end user is the consumer, whether they set it up or
not. Early adopters will lead the way, but truthfully, that end consumer
will think of these products the way that most of them already think
of computers or cell phones, they don't care much how they work, but
that they do work. They want the technology, the convenience, and the
benefits, but much like most of us don't care how the refrigerator works,
it only matters that it does work - all the time.
The beauty of Z-wave technology and products is that you can have it
both ways. If you want to take on the challenge of installing and running
your own home control network, the products are out there and more are
on the way. In some cases, you can have them installed by a pro and
then program the scenes yourself, the best of both worlds. Regardless,
there's something for everyone. We just need to let them in on the secret.
I invite you to join a discussion on this topic at our
forum or send me your thoughts directly at catherine@zwaveworld.com.
Catherine LaCroix
Editor
