What consumers want today is a combination of home automation capability spanning distributed audio, content management, lighting control, security and above all connectivity to a fast broadband network which allows for the introduction of such services as wireless automation and voice over IP services.
Distributed audio which allows sound to be distributed from one room to another from one source and accessed by a remote control is hot. So is a new generation of lighting control systems with manufacturers like Vantage, Lutron and Dynalite delivering a new generation of advanced capability.
Then there is the likes of Control 4 which is selling a new system based around Zigbee technology. Also making an impression in the market is PDL which manufactures not only lighting automation technology but a new generation of audio distribution system.
In the past many lighting and home automation systems have been based around the common old C Bus system from Clipsal, a French owned company that has traditionally sold its C Bus system and other Clipsal electrical products via electricians and specialist installers.
The only problem in having an electrician install a lighting control and home automation system is that today, automation systems need to be integrated, programmed and configured by highly skilled installers who are able to not only program the lighting software, but integrate hand held controllers so that everything works seamlessly alongside the audio distribution system, the security system, a new generation of IP controlled devices, such as a media centre or IP based receiver as well as IP based phone systems.
