Home Automation Alliances

Do Your Homework A fully automated home connects to a box or hub as its central nerve system or operations center. Z-Wave, INSTEON, and ZigBee all offer member companies three different levels of participation or investment in the alliance. Each level carries different costs and benefits. A company can join and become an alliance member without offering any products that use the alliance technology. Homeowners should check to see how many compatible products are available within an alliance before opting for their technology over another. “With these alliances, it is a race to get the most products out there that can interact together,” says Ken Fairbanks, vice president of sales and business development for SmartLabs, the company that oversees the production of INSTEON products. Bob Heile, chairman of the Zigbee Alliance, sees the promise of future products and the participation of big-name member companies as a reason to turn to Zigbee’s products. “If you look at the ZigBee member list, you will see some of the world’s leading players in consumer electronics and control systems. So expect to see more new consumer products soon. I know there are hundreds in the pipeline now,” he says. Make a Smart Automation Investment Home automation starter kits that can be added onto later can cost under $100. Many RF-enabled devices like light switches, dimmers, and HVAC controls, can be easily installed and included in a home’s expanding automated network. Just remember that an alliance purchase means non-participating companies and products cannot be added later—alliance products only speak to fellow alliance products. Starting small is great, but homeowners must be prepared for limited expansion opportunities depending on the alliance they select. David Rye, vice president and technical manager of X10, Inc., the industry standard in PLC technology, warns homeowners of potential problems for these alliances and their technologies. “They are all unproven technologies,” Rye says of the major alliances. “These new technologies haven't been around long enough to even know what problems they have.” RF-enabled devices with low price points and easy installation make for attractive home-automation solutions. Nonetheless, a homeowner would be wise to thoroughly research the options, to know just how many products and systems from an alliance can be included in the home’s automated network, and to find out what other homeowners are saying about the products.

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