Too many platforms, too many choices...
Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Tuya, Home-A-Genius, etc. these are the platforms that you've probably heard of when you are looking to do up a smart home ecosystem.
Google Home & Amazon Alexa works on pretty much the same basics - software developers build services/skills to allow their applications to link up to Google Home & Amazon Alexa. To allow these services/skills on their platform, massive tests were done to ensure usability of services/skills.
Tuya platform pretty much allows for any distributor who've paid for the microchip to link up to their platform; disallowing integration with other ecosystems, unless linking up with Google Home/Amazon Alexa.
Let's skip the boring parts here and move on to more important topics. As we all know Smart home platforms comes in 2 different forms: Cloud-based and Local Area Network (LAN). Simple, one runs on cloud (requires internet) one runs on your local network (don't need internet). Google Home/Amazon Alexa and Tuya are all cloud-based.
Getting a System Integrator vs DIY
The role of system integrators (SI) involves being a consultant during the smart home setup, pre-setup and also after the setup is completed. While the role of SI may sound simple, it involves a full suite of services from developing the solution, building and R&D on new solutions, communicating with the ID/electrician, setting up the system, training users on how to use the system and lastly, off-site and on-site maintainence of the system. As you can see the scope of work of an SI is pretty hefty, hence you can never be able to justify the pricetag against a smart home system that is built via DIY.
DIY solutions are readily available in the market, with suppliers providing solutions online. While it may look as easy on the e-commerce paltform, IoT solutions are not as simple as it seems.
Do you know that Wi-Fi connected devices consume more electricity than Zigbee devices even though there is no need for an additional hub?
While the solution may seem more afforable at the start, the running cost to maintain the system will cost more overtime. Information as such will not be displayed on the e-commerce platform, hence it is up to the client's knowledge to decide on the device.
Single Application - A promise from a System Integrator
The difficulty of the IoT ecosystem now is being able to sync all of the various devices together. Usually, consumers would have 1 application for their security cameras, another application for their doorbell, another application for their lights, and so on. The confusion always starts when users do not know which application to use. i.e. the app provided by the system integrator or the Google Home app.
The backstory to this is that once you hop onto Google Home, or an alternative secondary app that allows for full integration, the promises on the application on the system integrator (Local Area Connection, single app control) would be nullified. Use of multiple applications will also contribute to confusion, leading to bad user experience.
Being able to link up to a device/application is not easy - various API linkages are required. Massive programming +maintenance works required along the way. Building an application to link up to various devices is not as simple as it looks. On top of that, users have to use that application on a daily basis. The app has to be lightweight, secure and also user friendly at the same time.
Single Rules Engine - Single Maintainence work
An all-in-one application promises one thing. Easy maintainence. What it means is that you need not use multiple applications just to setup rules.
Example: Switches belong to a proprietary application (App P). App P is unable to link up with other smart appliances proivded in Singapore. e.g. Dyson fan, Sonos sound system and LG/Sony/Android TV. The only way to link up these devices in your living room is via Google Home.
What does this mean to a user?
Multiple Rule engine used, resulting in multiple rooms/scene setup. More complex debugging if needed.
- Firstly, you need to link the devices in App P, group them in an dummy room e.g. Resting Room. Note you cannot use the same name in Google Home as this will confuse the system.
- Next, you will need to sync the rooms and scenes to Google Home App.
- Link smart appliances (Dyson, Sonos sound system and LG/Sony/Android TV) to Google Home App, and setup another new room in Google Home App. This time you can use the correct room name "Living Room" as this will be the actual name used in your Google Command.
- Thereafter, you will need to add the devices into Living Room. Your Living Room is setup!
- That is not all, the above steps only allow you to use the voice command. To use the Siri Widgets, you will need to create shortcuts in the shortcuts app.
Notice the number of rules engines used in this scenario and the number of times the user needs to setup a room. Much less to mention if the additional device needs to be added after your SI has left the house. Maintainence will be a nightmare.
In Home-A-Genius, we have a single rule engine, single admin page and a single action of setting up the rules will sync up with all downstream user interfaces: Smarter switch, Home-A-Genius Widget and the Google Home app. Furthermore, this eliminates the need to use dummy room names hence lesser confusion just to reference the rooms/scenes in-between applications.
Leave it to us!
Home-A-Genius specializes in developing smart home platform and also comes with a strong team that assist with your smart home setup. Leave the work to us while you enjoy the movie mode!
