SmartHome
Intelligent screening and
shading is going its own way
THE DIGITALISATION OF BUILDING TECHNOLOGY AND CONTROLLING THE ATTACHED DEVICES
FOR THEM TO BE USED BY THE FINAL CUSTOMER IS FINDING ITS WAY INTO THE ROLLER
SHUTTER AND SOLAR PROTECTION INDUSTRY. HERE YOU CAN READ WHICH TRENDS ARE SHAPING
THE SMARTHOME MARKET IN GERMANY AND HOW FAR THE TECHNOLOGY HAS SPREAD.
In Germany, manufacturers and specialist associations have
been talking about the potential of SmartHome technology
for the roller shutter and solar protection industry for years.
A great deal of companies have developed solutions and positioned
from the trade and specialist planners can meet the desire of
the final customers for controllable screening and shading
products. The solutions range from web-based systems to
local server solutions for operations within the building right
down to controlling connected products via a mobile app on
a smartphone tablet PC when you're on the road.
SMARTHOME MARKET POSITION
How far have the solutions gone for controlling a SmartHome
actually until now in the German market? It is hard to find
exact figures in the industry. The penetration rate for Germany
34 them on the market, with which specialist companies
R+T markets 2018
is currently between three and four percent, according
to the globally active control specialist, Somfy. A similar level
is reached by the industry in France, Austria and Switzerland.
The drive manufacturer, Geiger, estimates that SmartHomes
have achieved sales of 1.3 billion euros this year in both
the new construction and renovation markets in Germany.
”Depending on the country, we are expecting growth rates of
between 30 and 60 percent per year. The trend towards an
automated home is strong and sustainable”, says Dr. Marc
Natusch, managing director of Gerhard Geiger. Selve, the
drive and control manufacturer, sees pent-up demand in Germany.
”A great deal of other countries, especially in Southern
and Eastern Europe or the United Kingdom, are much further
ahead. The predicted growth figures are enormous, meaning
there is no way around SmartHome”, stresses the managing
director of Selve, Andreas Böck. The Federal Association for
Flexible smartphone control symbolises the advantage
of modern SmartHome systems, here is
Warema's WMS solution. Photo: Warema