Z-Wave sees further acceleration, announces mid-year milestones

According to a new Markets and Markets report, the smart home industry is estimated to reach $58.68 billion by 2020. Segments such as security and smart locks are driving the smart home market currently and with over 90% penetration in this segment, the Z-Wave Alliance continues to grow the Z-Wave smart home ecosystem for consumers and manufacturers, alike.

Research: smart home automation system revenues to hit $34B in 2020

Global revenues from smart home automation systems will grow at a 21% CAGR between 2015 and 2020, according to ABI Research. North America will account for the lion’s share of the smart home automation system revenues in 2020, contributing close to 46% globally, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Bosch to Launch ZigBee, Z-Wave, Cloud Service for Security, Home Automation at ISC 2015

Bosch Security Systems, Inc. delivers significant benefits to integrators and end users with new products that maximize security, safety and convenience. At ISC West 2015, Bosch will introduce the new G Series, a powerful multifunctional security control panel that provides combined UL intrusion and fire functionality along with door control and essential video surveillance functions for commercial applications. Bosch will also launch new intelligent IP surveillance solutions, and Cloud-based Services that enable central stations to tap into the growing video monitoring market. With these security solutions, Bosch offers innovative technology for connected systems.

Z-Wave Alliance dominates smart home security solutions

The Z-Wave Alliance, an open consortium of leading global companies deploying Z-Wave, the world’s largest ecosystem of wireless control products and services, will exhibit for the first time ever at ISC West, hosting a range of manufacturers in the Z-Wave Alliance Pavilion. With over 1300 certified products, 300 member companies and more than 35 million devices installed worldwide, Z-Wave continues to be the wireless technology of choice for the security and smart home markets.

“Though it is our first time exhibiting with a Z-Wave Alliance Pavilion at ISC West, the Z-Wave brand isn’t a newcomer to the space,” said Mark Walters, Z-Wave Alliance Chairman. “Manufacturers choose Z-Wave for their solutions time and time again because of its interoperability, as well as cost and ease of integration.”

Z-Wave has seen 4 years of double-digit growth from the adoption of home control by the security industry. Today, 90% of the lifestyle security systems in North America, defined as smart alarm panels with connected smart devices (such as smart locks, lighting or thermostats) are powered by Z-Wave.

Z-Wave’s dominance across the lifestyle security market will be highlighted by twenty-eight Alliance member companies exhibiting at ISC West, in addition to the nine member companies participating in the Z-Wave Alliance Pavilion. The pavilion exhibitors include:

* Fibaro will demonstrate its smart home control reliability during its Mount Everest Challenge Powered By Z-Wave press event. More info on the event and the challenge can be found here.

* MCO Home Technology is a dedicated Internet of Things OEM/ODM provider for security manufactures.

* Aeon Labs designs door and water sensors, touch panels and smart window coverings to complement the digital smart home, save energy and increase protection.

* SecureNet Tech creates a platform to simplify and expand the capabilities of central monitoring stations and security providers to add lifestyle services to their existing alarm transportation offerings and will be featuring the latest SmartLink end-user app, web portal and the all-new SmartTech technician app.

* MiOS LTD will feature Vera Control, a MiOS company, who will introduce VeraSecure, a new Smarter Home Controller with a built-in Security Solution in addition to new security and video services to complement their new Smarter Home Controller line of products.

* Telguard is one of America’s largest security communication solutions delivering 24 hour wireless protection technology by transmitting full data from virtually all security and fire systems to central stations on Z-Wave protocol.

* Enerwave, Inc, incorporates Z-Wave modules and energy saving devices to provide lighting control and home automation product innovations with advanced green energy efficiency in the field of automated lighting and electronic appliance control.

* Radio Thermostat Company of America leads in home energy management solutions through creating an Internet-Controlled Thermostat to further the mission and help users save money on their energy bills by offering the best, most user-friendly, technology and tools available.

* Z-Wave Products carries and supports all Z-Wave products and works with dealers, integrators and resellers to bring them devices that work within the wireless ecosystem.

Z-Wave is fully interoperable between all brands and is fully backward-compatible between versions. Z-Wave products are available direct to consumers through major retailers and e-tailers in the US and Europe and are featured by leading home security providers and telecommunications companies worldwide.

(Z-Wave Alliance)

Fibaro: Telco is a New Game Changer

Fibaro, a revolutionary system that allows users to automate all aspect of the home using simple, non-invasive products, is setting the trend on how every connected home device should be – small, compact systems that pack a punch.

“We strongly believe that simple products can still be very advanced,” said  Krystian Bergmann, Fibaro Technical Expert.

Fibaro provides non-invasive installation process, eliminating the need to run meters of cables and wires. Comprised of modules and sensors, it can be installed in just about every electrical system.

Fibaro Using Z-Wave
A wireless communications protocol, Z-Wave is designed specifically for remote control applications in residential and light commercial environments. The technology utilizes a low-power RF radio embedded or retrofitted into electronic devices and systems, such as lighting, access controls, and household appliances.

“We chose to adopt Z-Wave because it is currently the smallest chipset currently available on the market. What’s more, we have always wanted to create the smallest device in the world,” he said.

“Z-Wave was always been about compatibility, standardization, and certification processes, so that is why we chose Z-Wave. Also, because we wanted to have integration with different third-party producer/devices.”

According to Bergmann, although Fibaro looks forward to integrating other protocols in the near future, but since Z-Wave is currently the most popular standard amongst telcos and security companies in the US, it has no immediate plans to stray away from its current adoption.

     

Meeting All Requirements
The home automation provider currently channels its sales across nearly 100 countries via a complicated network of distributors and resellers. Based on a business-to-business model (B2B), most of its products are geared towards professional projects, such as electrical companies.

“At the moment, our largest market share is in professional installers, but we are looking to expand our business through telcos on a business-to-consumer (B2C) model,” Bergmann said.

“Our inventory currently holds 50-60 products all related to gateways and modules,” he said, adding that it aims to provide a complete solution to home automation.

While still providing professionally installed solutions to both segments – distributors and telcos –, the requirements imposed by these customers vary immensely. “Telcos are more oriented towards user-friendliness and simplicity, while distributors are more focused on functionality and integration.”

Also, Fibaro also has its eyes on unexplored markets in the Middle East and Africa, opportunities which Bergmann stresses that, “the 21st century will be ‘Africa Time.’”

Apple HomeKit Versus Google Nest
“Officially, we are part of the Apple development program because we are undergoing several projects mostly related to software development including applications for the Apple platform. We are very excited that big software companies such as Apple and Google are devoted to home automation and we are looking forward to integrating our products with them,” Bergmann exclaimed.

The factor that will help HomeKit quickly become a game changer in the home automation industry bestows solely on the versatility of its interface, giving mobile possibility from a platform point-of-view directly to the user, according to Bergmann.

Telcos Are Game Changers
Driven by an increased focus on the Internet of Things and smart homes, telecommunications companies have the potential to deliver new profitable services via multiple customer service structure.

“The next two years will be very important because telcos are becoming really active in the home automation market. Telcos play an important role to pushing for mass-adoption of home automation.”

While Fibaro’s biggest market currently lies in Europe, the company said it is targeting major US markets because they house big-brand telecommunications companies.

“Big game changers will be in telcos because they already have existing mobile users who will help push home automation to the masses,” Bergmann concluded.

(Fibaro)

Hauppauge showcased DIY kits for smart home at CeBit 2015

Hauppauge started to provide DIY Linux-based smart home products that have been available at retail stores since June 2013. The company offers three expandable Z-Wave home automation kits, including mySmarthome Control Starter Kit, Security Starter Kit, and Comfort Starter Kit, allowing users to set rules to automate their homes. Its rules creator lets users to set up alarms and messages to customize alerts without needed programming skills. In addition to its cloud-based smart alerts, users can set rules for their own heating schedules. For example, the heater will automatically turn on at 3 pm at set temperature, or when the front door is open.

Fibaro demos Z-Wave smart home solutions at CeBit 2015

Fibar Group, a Poland-based smart home innovator, showcases a series of Z-Wave based smart home devices at CeBIT 2015, including security and safety sensors, wall plugs, dimmer, roller shutters, relay and RGBW switches. Its award-winning Multisensor, assembling a cat eye, integrates temperature, light and motion sensors and accelerometer. It has different colors of LED indications to show different events like triggered motion or current temperature of a room based on users’ setting. Its smoke sensor features trendy and minimalistic design along with visual and acoustic alarm. With the built-in temperature sensor, it can sense the rapid change of temperature. Users can perform life-saving actions by touching a button on the mobile phone or tablet. The smoke sensor can work at as high as 200 Celsius degree.

Zipato showcases home security kit at CeBit 2015

Zipato demonstrates its Z-Wave interactive video alerting kit, including an IP camera, Zipamini hub, and Multisensor Quad at CeBIT 2015. The Multisensor Quad works as a door/window sensor, temperature meter, illuminance meter and presence detector. The kit is designed for access control, home security monitoring and child care.

Poly-Control offers 1st Z-Wave Plus certified smart lock

Poly-Control has taken advantage of the new features in the Z-Wave Plus certification program in a new range of smart clocks for the connected home market.  The next generation of smart lock are due out in spring this year and will offer Z-Wave Plus’ richer feature sets such as 250 percent higher data rate.

Schlage launches innovative keyless lock at CES 2015

Schlage, a brand of Allegion Plc, has just introduced its newest innovation, the Schlage Sense system at the 2015 International CES tradeshow.