TRAINING • 57
Home is high. According to the results, 57 % of UK adults showed a good level of understanding of the primary features and benefits smart home technologies could bring.
By 2020 it’ s predicted that the average person will have 6.5 connected devices.
offering and being adopted by manufacturers at a more accessible level. Among those having the biggest impact are the Internet of Things( IOT), connectivity, wearables, cloud computing, Wi-Fi, NFC, energy harvesting and miniatures. Crucially for locksmiths, in this revolution, keys are becoming credentials changing the face of access control and how we think about security.
The influx of technology into people’ s daily lives made possible by the growing sophistication of this technology means that by 2020 it’ s predicted that the average person will have 6.5 connected devices. From laptops, tablets and smart phones to washing machines, cameras and smart meters the Technological Revolution is as much driven by product innovation as consumer demand, and this will translate from the home to the commercial and public sector.
This growth in the adoption of connected devices has been a key driver in the prevalence of the Smart Home, an area where locksmiths are well placed to benefit from new revenue streams.
A term often used but seldom explained the‘ Smart Home’ is a home with a gateway connected to the internet, which allows users to control and monitor their home, and all the devices in it, such as heating, lighting and security. According to recent research from IT firm Gartner, it will only take another six years for the Smart Home market to mature, where the average affluent family will have more than 500 connected devices in their home.
With an expected market value of £ 26 billion by 2019, the technology giants are looking to profit from this ever growing sector.
Samsung, Apple and Google have all converged on this market, further propelling smart homes into the forefront of peoples’ minds.
This is reinforced by data from a recent study, which showed that consumer awareness of the Smart
It’ s widely accepted that there are five primary drivers for smart home installations: smart energy, smart security, smart entertainment, smart convenience, and smart health. The customer journey will start with one of these technologies but once installed is more likely to add further devices to their home. Security is identified as the second most likely entry point to creating a Smart Home with intelligent locks seen as an intrinsic part of a smart home installation.
Clearly, connected devices and intelligent locks are presenting huge opportunities and providing new revenue streams for those involved in the Smart Home and connected market. So, why does trepidation exist in the locksmith industry when it comes to exploring these new prospects?
The level of innovation and the sophistication of the technology involved, as well as the lucrative financial rewards, means that many of the‘ big players’ have converged on this market. This can mean‘ traditional’ locksmiths are reluctant to compete. However, research shows that whilst the likes of Apple, Google and Samsung lead the way, consumers and building owners still prefer the peace of mind of security being provided by a trusted name and brand, with experience in security.
One of the biggest potential barriers to growth in the smart home market is consumer concern that the technology will be too complicated; they won’ t be able to understand or use all the features; and that
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL. CO. UK | NOV / DEC 2016