With advances in automation, smart living solutions are transforming our lifestyle for the better. Here are five key factors you need to know before you dive into this trend.
This article seeks to guide you are not sure about where to start for your smart home automation needs. The first step is to research and evaluate where it could be most useful. Do you need smart thermostats in your house, or are you looking for smart surge protectors to safeguard your appliances? If you want to go a step further, you can go for more advanced solutions such as smart curtain motors or mood lighting systems and smart audio systems.
Installing smart power strips is one of the most convenient solutions to organize and integrate your electronic/electrical appliances in your smart network. However, check which smart appliances you already possess if you do and invest in a platform that is compatible with at least most if not all of those.
Having no smart hubs was previously one of the most inefficient choices for building your smart home network of devices. Having a smart hub was a foregone necessity for centralized control of all the connected smart devices in your home. It acted as the brain of a smart home automation system. You had to know whether your smart hub was ZigBee-certified or on the Z-wave system, to manage future adaptation and device compatibility.
However, due to advancements in cloud computing and other related networking technology, we can now streamline this system. The functions of a smart hub can now be delegated to a virtual hub on a server. This essentially means transferring the key functions of a smart hub from hardware (like previous physical smart hubs) to software (current virtual smart hubs). Furthermore, a transition from wireless protocols such as ZigBee and Z-wave to WiFi is highly beneficial. It effectively circumvents the need to check for connection compatibility and future adaptation as WiFi is a universally standardized wireless protocol.
The most inexpensive and quick investment option that can work for just about any type of smart technology user is wireless home technology. You already have WiFi in your home. All you have to do is to leverage that wireless network around your home to connect smart devices. A conventional smart home has a central control hub, which needs to be connected throughout your entire home. Instead of that, you can simply use smart control devices connected to your WiFi network that can communicate with the cloud. This is the fastest and most cost-effective solution for automation beginners with a budget. However, evaluate the features of the app before you start living with it every day.
The Internet of Things is a new world to most of us, and it’s alright if you don’t seem to understand it. Instead of being overwhelmed by it, you can gain a better perspective of it. Basically, it enables your otherwise offline devices to be connected to the same web you connect to for work and play. However, there is also the fear of exposing your home devices to the risk of hacking and data theft. You would be secure as long as you are on a WiFi network with WPA2-protection, you are careful with your passwords like your other online systems such as online banking and you are investing in an automation system with solid security protocols. You should still discuss with your solutions provider about the security measures to be taken with smart devices.
Carry out due diligence as to the viability and reliability of the solutions that you are being offered. You need to know about the quality of services and the value being offered by your smart solutions service provider. Remember, just because it sounds like an advanced, futuristic solution, it does not have to cost you a fortune. The Internet of Things is a sphere brimming with contemporary technology built for practical and tangible solutions for tasks.
It would be wise to opt for a service provider that delivers quality and simple, smart solutions. Smart solutions that harness technology to make daily life simpler.
Explore Osmia smart solutions to discover how smart living is well within your reach.