Technology is a key component to a higher quality of life and the rise of the multi-billion dollar home automation industry is a sign that Americans want more from the properties they buy, own and sell. While information, security and entertainment are today delivered instantly, next generation technological offerings will forever impact a property and its owners and could serve as a market niche for builders looking to redefine themselves and the markets they work in.

A new study from ABI Research may shed light on this coming technological paradigm. For 30 years, home automation equipment to control lights, blinds, access and heating/air-conditioning fell into two broad categories: custom-installed systems for luxury homes and low-end DIY products using technologies aimed at tech-savvy enthusiasts. The expense of the former and the limitations and unreliability of the latter acted to constrain the size of the market. Now, the ABI Research found, a new breed of standards-based wireless technologies promise a middle ground.

"The introduction of ZigBee, Z-Wave and similar standards-based technologies has led to new systems for mainstream consumers," said ABI senior analyst Sam Lucero, referring to comprehensive but more economical systems for the consumer to own and home automation and monitoring as a managed service. "ABI Research thinks this movement holds great promise."

The managed services approach enables service providers, like builders and contractors, to include remote home monitoring and automation as additions to bundled packages. "Rather than trying to 'reinvent the home automation wheel,'" advises Lucero, "aspiring service providers should take advantage of the excellent turnkey solutions available from vendors such as 4HomeMedia, iControl Networks, Portus, uControl, Xanboo, and others."

Another one of those vendors is HAI, a leading manufacturer of integrated automation and security products since 1985, who recently announced a new software product of interest called WL3 for Windows&Reg; Home Server, a monitor and home control system that operates from any device with a Web browser, including the newly announced iPhone^TM 2.0, iPod Touch^TM, BlackBerry^TM, Smartphone, computer, PDA, etc. With the WL3 for Windows Home Server Add-in installed, it continually monitors a home and informs the owner of events such as the alarm system being disarmed or activated, a car entering the garage/driveway, or even if the wine cellar door or pool gate has been opened.

"The WL3 allows you to change your home's temperatures, adjust the lights or security settings, or view any supported camera securely and easily. It automatically configures supported UPnP IP cameras on your home network and allows you to manually configure other IP cameras on your network or cameras that reside anywhere on the Internet," the HAI reports." It also allows you to view and record video from cameras in your home or from public IP cameras around town, such as traffic and weather cameras."

For the movie buff, Admit One's traditional luxury to stylish contemporary custom home cinemas in Minnesota have drawn attention around the U.S., earning the 2008 Innovative Housing Technology Award (IHTA) for Home Technology Integrator Excellence in the Midwest.

"We pride ourselves on balancing aesthetics and performance to give each client the theater experience they can enjoy for years. We design and build systems that rival some of the greatest cinemas in America and we make sure each one looks as good when it's off as it does when it's on," said Lance Anderson, Owner of Admit One, whose firm has over 50 years of experience in the home technology industry. "The best part of owning this company is when a cinema is completely installed and customers turn it on for the first time. Their expressions are priceless."

The fascination with automation isn't only an American phenomenon. According to new research from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), 85 percent of online consumers in the Middle East believe technology is a key component to a higher quality of life, resulting in high ownership and intent to buy rates.

"Middle Eastern consumers place a high value on technology and consumer electronics," says Tim Herbert, CEA's senior director of market research, who presented the research at the International CES/hometech in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. "Whether for work or for play, consumer electronics are an integral part of everyday life in the Middle East."

The CEA also released some staggering numbers that, if you thought automation is a phase, think again. The consumer electronics industry will see overall shipment revenues top $173 billion in the United States in 2008. The semi-annual U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecast shows CE shipment revenues will grow by 7.3 percent this year, reaching more than $183 billion by 2009.

Published: September 10, 2008

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Peter L. Mosca is president and founder of BAK Communications, Inc. He has over 22 years of communications and media consulting experience, serving a variety of nonprofit organizations, including the CCIM Institute and the REALTOR Association on all three levels – national, state and local. He is the Spokesperson Trainer for the CCIM's Jay Levine Academy and trains hundreds of residential REALTORS nationwide to be effective industry spokespeople. He is consistently ranked as "excellent" by about 90% of those who attend his presentations. While his principal consulting focuses are public speaking and media relations development and content delivery and management, Peter is also the host of the Voice America Network's weekly radio program, "Income Property Investment Talk," a one-hour program that brings the powerhouses of commercial and residential real estate to property investors every Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST. Peter is married 17 years to his wife Barbara. They have two children: Ashley, 15 and Kelli, 12. Hence, the name BAK Communications, Inc.