Parks Associates - Experts & Thought Leaders

OliverIQ, the Smart Home as a Service (SHaaS) platform designed to bring smart home solutions to the broad market, announced the availability of the OliverIQ Hub with built-in customer support from the AI-powered Ollie chatbot. This sleek, affordable plug-and-play device allows OliverIQ service providers to deliver comprehensive smart home services and on-demand device support to new and existing customers. True smart home experiences Customers can enable automation called affairs that enrich the safety, comfort, efficiency Unlike do-it-themselves platforms, OliverIQ is the first truly complete smart home offering. This subscription service, available exclusively through ISPs, security dealers, home builders, professional integration firms, and retailers, integrates seamlessly with smart devices from pioneering manufacturers, unifying whole-home control in the OliverIQ App.  With a few taps in the app, customers can enable advanced automation called experiences that enhance the safety, comfort, efficiency, and convenience of their homes. Experiences include an “Away” mode that simulates occupancy, or a “Wake Up” routine that starts each day smoothly with coordinated lights, music, shading, and more. OliverIQ software OliverIQ providers can embed the OliverIQ software on their own hardware, including routers, control panels, thermostats and more – and now, with the OliverIQ Hub, they can also deliver OliverIQ SHaaS to customers immediately using a dedicated hardware device. The OliverIQ app and hardware can be white-labelled, strengthening customer loyalty and brand presence. “OliverIQ makes service providers the smart home hero for their customers,” says Will West, co-founder and CEO of OliverIQ. “Homeowners have become accustomed to using separate apps, fobs, and switches for everything." True automated system West added: "Arriving home, opening the garage, unlocking the door, and turning on the lights is a multi-step process with at least three separate actions. With OliverIQ, your home welcomes you when it senses your arrival by opening the garage, unlocking specific doors, setting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature, and turning on lights and media according to your preference." "This solution effortlessly transforms a collection of devices into a true automated system, enabling service providers to make their customers’ smart home dreams a feasible reality for the first time.” OliverIQ Hub OliverIQ can control an infinite number of devices with total remote support The OliverIQ Hub plugs directly into a wall outlet and automatically begins the device discovery and commissioning process. The hub features support for pioneering connectivity standards such as Z-Wave, Zigbee, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, with Matter support planned.  OliverIQ can control an unlimited number of devices with unlimited remote support, and customers can add new devices from their preferred brands at any time. This is a future-proof service for the evolving smart home. AI assistant transforming smart home The OliverIQ Hub comes equipped with Ollie, OliverIQ’s multilingual technical support chatbot. Users can ask Ollie setup and troubleshooting questions and get easy-to-understand, step-by-step instructions, often with rich media support such as how-to videos. Ollie can access the status and error codes of connected devices, diagnose issues, and provide real-time troubleshooting steps. Ollie’s capabilities The chatbot can even directly interact with connected devices to perform some troubleshooting workflows autonomously, improving user experiences and reducing service labour. Ollie’s capabilities drastically lower service and support costs: The AI assistant handles a wide range of questions, reducing the need for human intervention and enabling faster resolution of customer issues relating to troubleshooting, device onboarding, or system maintenance.  Evolution of SHaaS   OliverIQ Hub with Ollie allows partners to provide wide smart home services with minimal overhead With the OliverIQ Hub and Ollie, OliverIQ now offers a next-generation customer experience, with plug-and-play installation, seamless device onboarding and real-time AI-driven assistance.  The OliverIQ Hub with Ollie gives partners the ability to provide comprehensive smart home services with minimal overhead, helping them scale their offerings quickly and cost-effectively. Smart home market “The smart home market is maturing, but the experience remains disjointed. Just 40% of smart home device owners coordinate their smart home devices in routines or wider automation. Plus, difficulty with installation, configuring device settings, and getting products to work together are among the top reasons buyers return smart home devices,” said Jennifer Kent, VP Research, Parks Associates. “Service providers are well positioned to deliver a better, whole-home automation experience, and they need tools to help them manage that process well and cost-efficiently.” The OliverIQ Hub is available exclusively through OliverIQ partners, including broadband and internet service providers, security dealers, home builders, professional integrators, and retailers.

The Z-Wave Alliance, the standards development organisation dedicated to advancing the smart home and Z-Wave® technology, announces a burst of updates including an exciting new member, availability of in-demand educational resources, and support for dozens of Z-Wave Alliance member companies at CES 2024. On the heels of announcing the newly elected Board of Directors, the bevy of announcements from the Z-Wave Alliance marks an explosive start to 2024. OliverIQ joins the Z-Wave Alliance Officially launched at CES 2024, OliverIQ (Venetian Expo Booth #51932) is on a mission to put smart home automation in reach for everyone with their Smart Home as a Service (SHaaS) solution. With OliverIQ, a single user-friendly app unites third-party connected devices within the home, backed by unlimited always-on support. With OliverIQ, a single user-friendly app unites third-party connected devices within the home OliverIQ has joined the Z-Wave Alliance at the manufacturer level and has meticulously engineered their Smart Home as a Service solution to seamlessly integrate user’s most desired smart home devices – many of which are Z-Wave-certified – into a single streamlined experience. This new solution provides users with a consolidated app and access to control over third-party devices, optional live security monitoring, remote monitoring, and management, as well as comprehensive technical service and support. New Z-Wave long-range resources Z-Wave Long Range (Z-Wave LR) has been engineered to provide significantly extended wireless range, support robust networks, and extend Z-Wave connectivity beyond the interior boundaries of the home to improve the wireless transmission range of peripheral Z-Wave devices. The technology responsible for ushering in a new era of Z-Wave connectivity and bringing expanded options for the smart home, multi-dwelling units, and hospitality use cases is the chosen topic for the latest round of published educational content produced by the Z-Wave Alliance. The Z-Wave Alliance announces the availability of the Z-Wave Long Range eBook and Alarm.com Water Dragon and Z-Wave Long Range case study. Benefits of Z-Wave LR ZWLR is the latest addition to the “WHY Z-WAVE” educational eBook series made by Z-Wave Alliance Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR) is the latest addition to the “WHY Z-WAVE” educational eBook series created by the Z-Wave Alliance and is now available via the Alliance website. Produced for industry partners, members, and the market at large, the WHY Z-WAVE eBook series serves as the definitive guide to Z-Wave technology and how the Z-Wave protocol addresses existing and emerging markets.  As the latest published volume, the Z-Wave LR eBook covers network topology, showcases how the technology increases range, coverage, scalability, and dynamic power management, and discusses the benefits of Z-Wave LR for everyone including manufacturers, developers, installers, and consumers. Future-proof Z-Wave installations To showcase Z-Wave LR applications and benefits in the market, the Z-Wave Alliance announces the availability of the Water Dragon™ case study, published in partnership with Alarm.com and Silicon Labs. Available for download now, this informative case study examines the challenges faced by Alarm.com during the product development process and highlights how the Z-Wave 700 Series module from Silicon Labs with support for Z-Wave LR presented a clear solution to those challenges. The unique blend of these two parts is critical in helping future-proof Z-Wave installations As one of the premier brands in smart security and technology, the case study explores why Alarm.com chose to implement Z-Wave LR within the Water Dragon solution to achieve increased range capabilities and dynamic power control offered by the technology. The unique combination of these two features is critical in supporting future-proof Z-Wave installations since one of the most compelling use cases for sensors, especially those needing increased battery life, is the ability to deploy them in hard-to-reach places such as attics, basements, or behind walls. CES 2024 presence and support With over 30 member companies exhibiting at CES 2024, Z-Wave technology will be broadly displayed at the event. The full list of exhibiting Z-Wave Alliance membership companies will be available within the Z-Wave Alliance suite located at Tech West, Venetian and Palazzo Hospitality Suite #32-139. The Z-Wave Alliance is hosting a series of informative fireside chat sessions designed to excite and educate attendees about the state of Z-Wave technology and explore opportunity-rich verticals. Each of the three sessions will feature a unique presentation topic followed by a cocktail and networking event. The fireside chat series and topics are as follows: 1/9/24: The State of Z-Wave Chips 1/10/24: Parks Associates Presents: The Rise of Smart Homes in Multifamily Living 1/11/24: Learning to Build Smart Home Devices with Z-Wave Long-Range

Nice, a global pioneer in Home and Building Management solutions, is proud to announce the HR40 Multifunction Remote Control was recognised as a 2024 CES Innovation Award Honouree. To reinforce the importance of innovation and transformation in smart home technology, Paul Williams, Managing Director of the Home Management Business Unit, will discuss evolving product strategies during a panel discussion at Parks Associates’ CONNECTIONS Summit at CES. This year’s participation in CES underscores the company’s commitment to advancing its Home and Building Management solutions to set the industry standard for home automation. Next phase of rebranding It has been a year of transformation and growth for Nice as the company focused on expanding its footprint in North America by converging its robust product portfolio under one unified brand. This year’s transition of ELAN®, SpeakerCraft®, and Panamax® Energy Management, resulted in the launch of numerous award-winning products including the HR40 remote, Sun Shades by Nice, Nice DC12-IP Smart DC Power Manager, Nice Home Management OS 8.8, among others. Nice will begin its next phase of rebranding with the convergence of Linear Access and Surveillance In 2024, Nice will begin its next phase of rebranding with the convergence of Linear Access and Surveillance. Through the consolidation of these brands, Nice aims to offer a more holistic and advanced selection of whole home management solutions to accelerate the integration of smart home technology. Author's quote "It’s been an exciting year for Nice," said Paul Williams, Managing Director of the Home Management Business Unit at Nice. "Not only did we unify our existing brand and product lines but we also showcased the innovation and industrial design principles from Nice that will drive future growth as we continue expansion of our smart home portfolio." "The creation of the Home Management Business Unit also lays the foundation for global synergies and more advanced, integrated solutions in 2024 and beyond." Parks Associates’ CONNECTIONS Summit On January 9 at 4:00 p.m. PST, Paul will participate in the Parks Associates’ CONNECTIONS Summit to discuss how companies are pivoting their product strategies to drive broader adoption of home automation solutions. The session, Smart Homes: Embracing New Users, will include panellists Spencer Maid, CEO of Origin Wireless AI, Desiree Meja, Chief Operating Officer of SkyBell, and Richard Plummer, Senior Director Home Services at AIG, with moderator Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO of Parks Associates. It will be held at the Venetian Hotel, Level 4, Marcello 4404.

Residential security and smart homes are rapidly changing facets of the larger physical security marketplace, driven by advances in consumer technology and concerns about rising crime rates. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people spent more time at home and became more aware of the need for greater security. As workplaces opened back up, returning workers turned to technology to help them keep watch over their homes from afar. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the trends in residential security in 2021?

The success of smart homes began with professional security providers offering bundled packages, focused mostly on security monitoring. However, due to the cost of professional contracts, consumers began to embrace the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. Despite the challenges and opportunities that come with professional and DIY approaches, the momentum of smart home growth depends on these two approaches working symbiotically. Smart home systems In 2017, there were about 122 million smart home devices shipped globally, according to IHS Markit. The retail channel represented about 62 percent of all device shipments in 2017 and will represent about 70 percent in 2021. Despite the increased demand for professional installation, the “do-it-for-me” approach, most the volume remains with ad-hoc purchases. This includes a consumer video camera or a smart thermostat purchase from a retailer. Data capture form to appear here! When a consumer wants to add devices to an existing professionally installed system, they often will buy products from retail. Flexible service offerings and pricing are already taking shape across smart home offerings. DIY installed smart home systems such as Scout Alarm already offer no contract monitoring. Professional monitoring companies are already offering no contract pricing, and providers such as Comcast are looking to pilot programs for just video monitoring, bundled with Internet for a low monthly fee. Home automation system Connected smart locks can actually act as an extension of a smart hub or controller Options for financing are also going to become commonplace. Smart home equipment is expensive, even when attempting to outfit a modest size home (2,500 square feet). Immediate access to services is becoming more critical. This means consumers should be able to access on-demand service options directly from a mobile device to activate or deactivate professional monitoring. Lastly, pricing still needs to come down for many smart home devices, but there is a threshold. For example, the sale of wireless, connected smart locks (viewed by some consumers as DIY) can lead to opportunities for further home automation product sales and professional installations. Connected smart locks can actually act as an extension of a smart hub or controller. They can be used to communicate wirelessly with and control all the devices that make up a home automation system, including lighting, entertainment, thermostats, air, alarms, shades and more. Residential security According to a 2018 Residential Security Market Report prepared by Parks Associates, “More than 60% of installing dealers now report that DIY systems are biting into demand for their services.” But the rise in DIY is not entirely bad news for security and home automation installers and dealers. There are a number of ways to view this glass as half-full. For example, with their lower cost and perceived ease of installation, DIY products have broken down barriers for additional purchases. There are reasons for dealers and installers to be cheerful about the rise of DIY. For one thing, according to that same Residential Security Market Report from Parks Associates, residential security dealers are doing quite well. The report states, “In 2017, revenues were up an average 7.72% for security dealers.” Full-time monitoring DIY products have broken down barriers for additional purchase and installation of professionally installed systems What about installations? The report goes on to say, “For 2017, the average number of installs per dealer was 22 per month, compared to 17 per month in 2016.” So, revenues are up for security dealers, and at least part of the reason can be attributed to the fact that DIY products can raise overall awareness of and spur interest in other home automation and security products. With their lower cost and perceived ease of installation, DIY products have actually broken down barriers for the additional purchase, and installation, of complete, professionally installed systems. Instead of paying for monthly monitoring, homeowners can install a web cam, access from a smartphone or tablet and essentially do their own security monitoring. The downside of this approach is readily apparent. Without full-time monitoring, homeowners can easily miss the break-in or the aged parent who falls and can’t get up. Near-field communication Until they log on and take a look, there’s no central station to send medical aid or call the police. Connecting door locks and other devices to the Internet can also open a door to hackers, if the infrastructure isn’t properly protected. The areas of consumer electronics and security are closely intertwined. For example, Apple recently expanded near-field communication (NFC) support to include the NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format), which will likely accelerate the adoption of smartphones for access control credentialing. In another recent development, Amazon acquired Blink, a home security camera startup that offers wireless home security systems. The acquisition aligns with Amazon’s effort to offer more home devices. A common theme among professional monitoring providers is that a homeowner who is aware of events happening in the home does not necessarily have a secure and protected household. Traditional security features For example, a Nest camera, a DIY product, notifies a consumer via smartphone about events in the home when it detects motion, but only when the notification is opened and identified will a consumer be able to act on the related event. Self-installable smart home devices may resonate with a segment of the market that want security but are unwilling to adopt professional monitoring; however, providers can leverage these devices to enhance traditional security features and communicate the value of professional monitoring. Missed part one of our smart home mini series? Read it here.

Driven by technology developments such as voice recognition, smart devices and the Internet of Things, our homes are getting “smarter” all the time. Increasingly, we expect our residential environments to be responsive to our voice commands, whether we are adjusting a thermostat, turning on a light, or lowering the window shade. Smarter home integration yields new opportunities and challenges for home security, too, which contributes an element of safety and protection to the convenience aspects of smart homes. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How are new smart home systems impacting security?