David Herbert, Business Development Director for Yale Smart Living, talks about the opportunities available for locksmiths to increase their share of the smart home security market.
In recent years, the idea of a ‘smart home’ has been much more prevalent; but with so many different definitions it can be a confusing subject. Put simply, a smart home is a home with a gateway connected to the internet, which allows users to control and monitor their home, and all the devices in it (such as heating, lighting and security).
According to recent research commissioned by Yale, consumer awareness of the smart home is high, with a good level of understanding of the primary features and benefits smart home technologies can bring.
What’s more, the research reveals that smart security is one of the most popular drivers for the smart home, with it showing as the second most important of five key drivers for the connected home, after smart energy.
The survey, which reviewed 2,000 men and women in the UK, shows 62% of consumers expect remote locking of windows and doors to be a key feature of a smart home, with 51% expressing a strong interest in smart locks.
It also revealed that homeowners recognise the benefits of being able to remotely let children, guests or cleaners into their home from anywhere in the world, and are now beginning to demand the type of services a smart lock can offer.
The research indicates that the consumer smart home journey will start with smart energy or smart security but, once these products have been installed and consumers have experienced smart living, the next step will be to expand their system by adding more features. This means the smart home is likely to arrive organically, step by step, rather than as a complete installation.
As with any new technology, consumers did note some reservations in terms of the reliability and security of a smart home. The technology ‘not working’, or ‘going wrong’ were listed as key concerns, which means trust and reassurance in the system and product supplier will be vital.
Consumers want to invest in brands they trust, rather than the hottest technology. This was clearly revealed when respondents were asked to name the leading brands in Smart Home Security, where Yale (18%) ranked much higher than Apple (11%), Google (8%) or Samsung (8%).
When it comes to fitting smart products, 40% of Brits surveyed said they would prefer professional installation, with 27% preferring “a mix of professional and DIY depending on how much technology is involved”, thus providing proactive locksmiths a key opportunity to promote their services and increase sales.
Further interesting insights revealed by the survey include the fact that women are keener than men on opting for professional installation, and the 45+ and 55+ age group also prefer installation by a trusted professional over DIY. This is especially useful when it comes to targeted digital advertising or via social media for locksmiths.
In summary, now is the time for locksmiths to move into the smart security market and take advantage of the growing potential and increased profits available in this sector. Yale’s range of smart security products are available in a variety of options to suit all consumer needs, making Smart Living the smart choice for locksmiths looking to increase sales in 2016 and beyond.
Yale offers standalone security products including smart locks, alarms and CCTV, to a complete home security system, built around an intelligent smart security hub, which integrates with a wide range of modular accessories. Yale is also working with a number of key home automation partners, such as Samsung SmartThings to provide the very best security protection for smart home customers. This is helping to increase demand for locksmith services, as well as providing them with a new lucrative revenue stream.
Start your smart security journey today by providing your customers with the very best and latest home security products on the market, leading to repeat sales and increased profits.
For further information about the smart security products available from Yale please visit www.yale.co.uk or follow us on our dedicated Twitter and Facebook trade channels.