Duane Paulson, Senior Vice President Product & Market Development, Nortek Security & Control, provides insight on several key industry trends for Parks Associates’ 20th-annual CONNECTIONS Conference, which will be held May 24-26 in San Francisco:
How is your company engaging consumers through new technology solutions?
From a Nortek Security & Control perspective, we are delivering solutions to our customers at key points in the smart-home buying process. For some, an installed and monitored home security solution is the entry point; and we’re able to add robust smart home functionality to those solutions with products like the new 2GIGGC3 security and control system and compatible connected devices. For others looking for a DIY offering, we have our GoControl product lines which work with a variety of smart home hubs, delivering an easy to set up and control solution.
What is the biggest change you have seen in the past year in the connected home and entertainment industries?
One of the biggest shifts has been in the way we’re controlling our homes – we’ve seen a huge adoption of Amazon Echo and other voice integration technologies to allow consumers to use voice to operate their connected devices. We also see continued drive for interoperability, and some new partnerships and discussions happening amongst companies and platforms to deliver better solutions for consumers.
What do you think is the biggest driver for the connected consumer market?
Home security continues to be a significant driver of smart home adoption, and one of the reasons we’ve focused so heavily on delivering robust connected functionality in our security panels. It helps our dealers give their customers what they’re asking for like smart wireless control of garage doors, thermostats, lights, video monitoring, even smart doorbell cameras and wireless outdoor irrigation control. By branching out our offerings, we’re able to reach new audiences in an exciting, growing market. In the future, products like the Echo and other mainstream devices will definitely define the ecosystems and what consumers are looking for in connected home products.
What is the greatest challenge for the connected home industry in the next year?
Interoperability and compatibility will continue to be a topic of discussion and a challenge when it comes to mainstream adoption and consumer satisfaction with smart home products once they do get them home and set up. The other big issue that’s challenging companies in the space is the topic of security and privacy, and how the Internet of Things is going to potentially expose consumers to all kinds of danger. Companies who are proactively developing solutions before they get hacked and exposed are the ones ultimately that consumers will trust and rely on for their needs.
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Paulson will speak on the session “Looking Back – Understanding Growth in the Connected Home Ecosystems” on Tuesday, May 24 at 8:45 a.m. and again on the session “Smart Home Devices: Changing Business Models” on Wednesday, May 25 at 1:15 p.m. Other speakers on that panel include WiZR, HomeAdvisor, August Home, and SmartThings.
For more information on CONNECTIONS, visit www.connectionsus.com or register by clicking here.
