After what was perceived to be a relatively slow start for the industry – things are finally making progress. The Connected Home Conference – September 2003 – focused on partnerships to really push the industry forward. The technologies are in place and the service aggregators are ready – the challenge is communicating this to the marketplace. Building PARTNERSHIPS are the key to maximising this markets potential was one of the key messages.
As commented by the previous review of the September event, there were allot of top level – strategic overview speeches that really gave an important overview to what each sector was doing and allowing networking opportunities. This is great fort those at a senior strategic level, and we have retained some of this for the April event, however the practical element, the hands on stuff, will also be focused on much more.
Partnering with Cedia, we’ve introduced an important section on construction and installers with a session chaired by Steve Moore outlining the latest practical projects. Also there are two interesting speeches from, Abrocour who have partnered with the likes of Berkley Homes, Intel, HP and Microsoft to help deploy their services, and ConvergeX who are partnering with Linden Homes to launch a raft of new services. The April event will also have some very interesting insights and learning from the US market from companies like GE Interlogix, Windows eHome, and Whirlpool, and Parks Associates all venturing over from across the Atlantic.
So, what are the current market trends? Abracour CEO Sam Sethi explains that, “Wireless solutions are becoming faster and safer, and are gaining in popularity with consumers, as people want access to their data, video and audio on the move. As the government pushes ahead with its new Building Regulations (Part Q) stating that all developers should provide the capability for broadband Internet in new homes, we expect to see a big uptake in housing developers installing wireless.” This has important implications for the housing market as Sethi points out, “Housing developers are realising that wired solutions are costly and cumbersome, and that wireless home network solutions offers house builders and architects a cheaper and more efficient alternative.” For more information on Abrocour, go to www.abrocour.com This in turn provides a new angle for the way homes are marketed and the perceived value add it delivers for consumers. Matthew Bramble, Technical Director, Opus Technologies described that, “Its now widely accepted that modern entertainment technology genuinely attracts new home buyers and adds to a home’s perceived value. We recognised early-on that home builders were the key to getting this exciting technology into the home and have consequently strived to design products ideal for new build. We have made it a priority to partner with new-home builders world-wide and have enjoyed particular success where we have focused on creating customised solutions.”
That’s exactly what the connected home event is about – bringing together industries, and providing a useful link between home builders and technology companies, and enabling them to partner to deliver services to the marketplace.
Clearly the broadband home is here today, and the connected home is coming. Everything is available today, we have connectable devices and service aggregators – the question asked was how do we move forward to this integration environment? The technology is already here, the big challenge is how we market it to the right people? How do we communicate to the marketplace?
Consumers are getting used to the concept of the home network. “The networked home really has a future, but as far as the mass market is concerned I think we really have to find out what that is” summarised Andrew Mullen, General Manager Communications and new technologies, LG Electronics UK at the September event. Convergence is really re-defining the industry today as connected devices are emerging and as Mark Ossel, VP and General Manager, EMEA, Echelon outlined, “many companies underestimate the speed of change.”
As we plan for the next connected home, April 21/22nd 2004, we are looking to help the industry understand the issues that it faces, and helping drive this market forward. We look forward to seeing you at The Connected Home 2004.
More information on the Connected Home event – can be found at – www.the-connected-home.co.uk, or by calling Ian Johnson, Director, Junction Ltd, 0044 1179042004, [email protected]
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