Choosing a Home Automation Integrator

How long has the Integrator been providing full Home Automation products & services?

• • The longevity of a company in the Home Automation industry is critical. The solid companies have been at this for 15-20 years (or more).
  • The information and processes these companies have acquired over decades are invaluable to the successful execution of your project.

When it comes to home automation, one size does not fit all. Your Integrator must take a consultative approach to identifying your needs.

• • Look for organizations that don’t talk about the brands first. Great companies realize that all Home Automation products work when installed and programmed correctly, albeit with different levels of features, functionality and performance.
  • There are many factors to consider when deciding which products to choose. The key is finding the products that are right for your particular needs.

Fully understanding the capabilities and limits of a home automation ecosystem can take years. Both extensive training and hard fought experience are required to become masters. What is the Integrator’s experience level and longevity with the products and brands being offered?

• • Look for Home Automation companies that have used a core group of products and brands for a long time – decades not years.
  • Be wary of companies that jump from brand to brand looking for the magic combination. As mentioned before, all brands work when done correctly.
  • A company that switches brands often, means retraining their programmers and staff. That’s a massive change in direction, one you may not want to be involved in.
  • You do not want to be caught on the wrong side of a brand changeover, leaving you without on-going support.

In a perfect world, outsourced or in-house wouldn’t matter if clear communication were in place. The trouble is, the world of construction is rarely a perfect world. Furthermore, it is impossible to expect a single person to have all the skills necessary to complete a home installation on their own. That is why it’s best to opt for a team of skilled specialists who can work together and provide you with the outcome you want.

• • You want a company that has dedicated Salespeople, Project Managers and a fleet of Technicians and Programmers to stay by your side throughout the deployment of the prewire, systems and handover.
  • Does your home Integrator have the resources and experience to complete each phase or will they require sub contractors?  If all scopes of your project are not completed under one company, mistakes can and will happen. You want:
    • A team who can work as a cohesive unit, with a single project manager providing you with the information you need
    • No outsourced work means valuable resources are all in place when they are needed
    • No breakdown in communication due to external influences

System programming is key to unlocking the full potential of your automated home system. Proper system programming can be the difference between success and failure of your project.

• • Is system programming done in-house or is it sub-contracted?
  • If done in-house, how many certified programmers does your Integrator employ directly?
  • Are the programmers capable of developing custom integrations that may never have been tried before?

We believe it is mandatory to talk with past clients and to visit previous installations.

• • You can look at all the professional photography and pretty pictures, but the proof is in seeing firsthand and talking to previous clients about their experiences.
  • Ask to see systems that are of a similar scale to your project. If you’re getting quotes for +$200k systems, the Home Automation companies giving you those quotes should be able to show you 5-10 similar projects in that dollar value or higher.
  • This is also a great chance to see installation fit and finish.

We also believe it is mandatory to visit the Integrator’s office and production facility

• • You want to make sure the Integrator has the capability to deliver what they are promising, and that they will be with you throughout your entire journey including installation, turnover and many years of use.
  • Lets face it, these days anyone can put up a web site and claim to be experts.  The reality is you are about to enter into a long term partnership with your home automation Integrator. It’s best to get “a look behind the curtain” to convince yourself that they have the resources to deliver what they are promising.

Large scale projects can span several months, even years, with multiple phases of implementation (prewire, install, programming, calibrating , alarm, security, etc).

• • Each phase of the project is a building block for subsequent phases. It is critical that each phase be completed correctly and fully documented.
  • Great companies assign a project manager to take responsibility for successful implementation.
  • As a client, you should expect this level of attention

Once the questions above are answered, now comes the time to think about what will happen after your system has been fine tuned and turned over

• • You’ll want to know that your Integrator will be there to support you for years to come.
  • Ask about the size and experience level of their field service team. In this case size does matter.

There are more things you naturally will ask as the conversation flows with your potential providers, but these are questions that MUST be asked.