UNLOCKING THE VALUE OF AUTOMATION Ben Green, Director, Smart Space
Thanks to the proliferation of IoT in recent years, automation today is part and parcel of an electrical contractor’s toolkit. Indeed, an electrician’s role is so much more than lights, switches and power points.
C
ontractors today are in the business of creating smart spaces: intricate and intuitive ecosystems that respond to the wants and needs of occupants. Awareness is growing and with good reason: there’s an endless list of benefits to using the technology, whether in residential, commercial or industrial settings. As we continue to ride the wave of digital disruption in 2017, the uptake of automation technology by Australian businesses, organisations and home owners will reach new heights.
BMS (building management system), energy management software or straight-up smart lighting management, getting your head around how these technologies work, what objectives they serve, the kinds of insights they provide and how they interact with each other will give you a grounded and holistic understanding. By realising when, where and how to utilise these automation technologies, you’ll be in the best position to speak about the automation with authority.
Getting the most out of technology
Second to this is, of course, having the ability to articulate this technology and how it operates. Being able to explain to potential customers what the Internet of Things really is, in layman’s terms, is something that’s often overlooked but is fundamental to our capacity to sell (and upsell!). While many of us in the ‘tech circles’ have known of IoT for years, it’s important to remember the common consumer is only
So how can today’s contractors take advantage of this increased interest in smart technology? To get the most out of automation technology, transitioning to a smart space mentality is crucial. The first step in this process is to educate oneself on the many types of solutions on offer and how these work in sync with one another. Whether it’s
12 ECD [ELECTRICAL+COMMS+DATA] - MARCH/APRIL 2017
Educate the customer
www.ecdonline.com.au