What is the real value proposition in
Smart Lighting? A A while while back, back, II was was part part of of DLC’s DLC’s Stakeholder panel on “Lighting Stakeholder panel on “Lighting and and the the Smart Building,” an audience member Smart Building,” an audience member asked about about the the value value of of connected connected asked lighting lighting and and what what hurdles hurdles stand stand in in the way of its implementation. the way of its implementation. While While there is is a a lot lot of of talk talk about about the the wireless wireless there lighting control technology advantages, I believe the biggest hurdle is that the industry looks at lighting in a silo. They look primarily at cost and energy savings within lighting, but not how lighting can be an enabler for other value propositions and how this can be measured. Let’s first understand and differentiate the value proposition of wireless lighting. It is well-accepted that, in theory, wireless technology is cheaper than than traditional traditional wired wired lighting lighting and and
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designing designinglighting lighting
BY BY BEATRICE BEATRICE WITZGALL WITZGALL
Design Design & & Product Product Director Director at at LumiFi LumiFi
offers offers greater greater flexibility flexibility with with more more features. At the same time, features. At the same time, wireless wireless lighting lighting involves involves some some complexities complexities that require require attention. attention. For For example, example, that some some of of the the work work involved involved shifts shifts from from the traditional electrician work the traditional electrician work scope scope to an an IT IT integrator. integrator. Less Less wiring wiring and and to running cables are required, saving the owner money while reducing the contractor’s work scope. Furthermore, less equipment needs to be shipped, resulting in streamlining supply chain management, eliminating middlemen and minimizing disruption to distributors, reps and contractors. The question, however, that remains is how it creates value that can be quantified? The The day day after after the the DLC DLC panel, panel, a a market market
research research agency agency interviewed interviewed me me on on the the topic of smart lighting. As the reporter topic of smart lighting. As the reporter went through through his his list list of of questions, questions, went II realized realized that that he he was was completely completely missing missing the the point. point. He He focused focused on on energy savings and the energy savings and the ROI ROI of of a a lighting system system while while not not addressing addressing lighting that that a a smart smart lighting lighting system system can can and and should be an enabler, unlocking should be an enabler, unlocking value value in areas and industries other than lighting. Connected lighting is the interconnectivity between different systems to generate actionable data and providing the ability to automate and develop new processes beyond lighting. Lighting is just one ‘bucket’ in the connected smart building. The value is realized when the different buckets join, talk to each other and unlock new value propositions.