Page 24 - HW MARCH 2020

security, windows & doors
Key to all this, saus Bryce. is connectivity/compatibility with a broader ecosystem (i.e. Google or Amazon) and simplicity: “What we are starting to see around these smart products is a lot more collaboration. You can open up accessibility for these devices to work in conjunction with one another. That’s where we see some really strong value.”
So Allegion would rather collaborate than launch its own smart video doorbells? Says Bryce Carter: “At this stage, we do not have anything in line with a camera. However, that might that might be something further down the track.
“But at this stage, it’s more about partnering with those
people that are already integrated and having great success in that space.”
YOU CAN RING MY BELL...
Talking about the brands that are “having great success in
that space”, we turn to the likes of Ring, Eufy and Swann, all
of whom are active in the New Zealand market, both through consumer electronics dealers and, more recently, the hardware channel.
How’s that progressing?
It’s fair to say that the hardware channel has taken a more considered approach to smart doorbells, cameras and the like than the fiercely price-competitive CE dealers – and perhaps with good reason.
Take the view of Bunnings Warehouse boss, Michael Schneider, who recently said: “There are some categories that have a little bit more volatility and ... smart home is one of those.”
My reading of his use of the word “volatility” is that it’s code for “extremely price-competitive”...
The view of an established player in this sort of product
comes from Mark Fletcher, APAC Managing Director for Ring, incidentally an Amazon-owned company, who says he’s starting to see big growth in the New Zealand market through the DIY channel and that demand here for a smarter home has turned a corner.
“In this part of the world we’ve been quite far behind the rest of the world, especially the US. But I think that is being narrowed quite dramatically”
“In this part of the world we’ve been quite far behind the
rest of the world, especially the US. But I think that is being narrowed quite dramatically. I think we’re only about maybe 12 months behind the rest of the market. Maybe less than that now.”
Mark Fletcher puts this down to the availability of more affordable products as well as something of an upswing
in interest of Ring’s products from the trades, in this case electricians and integrators who are “realising that installing these products is great for their business.”
Jimmy Andrew is Business Development Manager at Directed Electronics which distributes the Eufy brand.
Admitting the category is “quite saturated”, he says “I think even the retailers are having a bit of a hard time trying to distinguish which product has what and what brand offers this and that.”
So, in his view, there’s a heap more education required.
HOW TO DO WELL WITH DIGITAL?
Knowing that in some cases digital locks still require just as much education as connected security, Baber Lock & Key has produced a Digital Access Solutions booklet which is available in-store, digitally and online.
Its purpose is to provide enough information so consumers
Jaeco shortens
stays, joins black brigade
Jaeco has just rolled out a new range through Bunnings Warehouse which consists of shorter range of window stays designed for people who like to open their windows just a crack without the stay poking into the room.
Also new is a Stainless 304SS Friction Stay for timber windows (photos above), in white and brushed stainless and face-fixed to allow just a 100mm window opening for second storey windows and for security purposes.
Also new and exclusive to Bunnings (and very much on- trend!), Jaeco window hardware range is now available in a black powder coat (photos below).
www.jaeco.co.nz
22 NZHJ | MARCH 2020
MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz