Page 62 - Green Builder May-June 2017 Issue

THE INTERNET OF THINGS

Keyless Entries and Augmented Security

Here’s how the IoT is impacting multi- and single-family homes.

BY ROB MARTENS IoT technology into multi-family properties. Builders, installers and
designers will want to prepare for these potential questions from
HE INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT) is rapidly evolving, anyone who is considering their services:
offering new and exciting benefits to our lives as ■ ■ How much information is available about you and/or the device
smart devices become easier than ever to use and provider? Are you and/or the device provider experienced in the
manage. IoT devices improve a homeowner’s or category of equipment from which the customer is purchasing? Do
renter’s experience, and they allow for a whole new you and/or the device provider know how to properly apply the
T level of personalization and convenience. technology?
Mega-tech companies such as Apple, ■ ■ In terms of connected devices, does the item
Amazon, Google and Samsung are paving provide “over the air” (OTA) updates? In other words,
the way with simplified smart home can the device be upgraded over time to ensure that
platforms that allow homeowners to it is as secure and efficient as possible?
quickly install products and enable them ■ ■ If the device shares information, is that
to work together more intuitively. These information protected by a recognized encryption
platforms often allow homeowners to standard?
manage all products from a single app. ■ ■ What other controls will help ensure that devices
Examples include Apple’s Home app and are being used in the fashion that the owner prefers?
voice activation assistants like Amazon’s
Alexa. From home security cameras to OTHER WAYS PEOPLE
smart locks and thermostats, these WILL WANT TO BE ‘SMART’
platforms let users control the most While connecting to these technologies via mobile
intimate and important parts of a home device adds another level of convenience for property
while saving money and time—and they managers, tenants and homeowners, there is only so
also provide peace of mind. much you can jam into a mobile app screen while
Though IoT technology is fairly new keeping it user friendly.
in the multi-family space, it has already With that fact in mind, new forms of user interfaces
transformed the daily experience are coming to the forefront with audio assistants and
of tenants and property managers. chatbots. These tools allow the tenant or homeowners
For example, property managers can CREDIT: ALLEGION/SCHLAGE to interact with devices via voice or text, with the
pair Schlage smart locks with their hope of creating a more intuitive, simpler solution
preferred third-party applications to and offering more options.
allow renters to access the lock with Another new interface is augmented reality, which
their smartphones, rather than keeping places an extra layer of data on an object that can be
track of keys. This offers the tenant more options and convenience seen when looking through a phone or other communicating device.
and also provides a more personalized experience. These two areas will continue to advance, offering even more
Property owners and managers also benefit from the added control convenience to residents.
and efficiency. Not only do they no longer have to worry about lost Overall, IoT-enabled devices can offer more personalization and
keys, but they can also reset the lock quickly and easily when it’s convenience for tenants and homeowners, and better control and
time to transition the unit to a new resident. efficiencies for property managers. It’s a win-win proposition for
However, understanding the benefits versus the risks is important, everyone involved within the multi- (and single-) family categories. GB
as the ultimate decision on the balance between security and
convenience resides with the property owner. There are some basic Ron Martens is futurist and vice president of Strategy and Partnerships
questions that can and should be asked before incorporating any for Allegion, maker of Schlage locking systems and tools.

60 GREEN BUILDER May/June 2017 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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