Smartware's profit opportunities for fabricators and installers

Over the past few years, technology has changed the way people live, with the idea of smart heating, lighting and entertainment systems now an everyday reality for many. Home security is also undergoing a tech transformation. Homeowners are increasingly aware of how technology can further enhance security and therefore looking to mix up traditional security methods with smart ones.  An example of this would be to look at local social networking groups; with communities sharing videos of potential intruders from Outdoor Cameras or Video Doorbells.

Fabricators and installers would be well advised to encourage customers to invest in smart security, including alarms, cameras, video doorbells and smart locks since this process of up-selling affords enhanced profit opportunities whilst at the same time giving customers real peace of mind. The ERA doorbell is a wired video doorbell for example which makes it reliable and easy longer term as there is no maintenance or battery changes required.  When changing a door and frame for example, it is a perfect time to wire up a new doorbell at the same time as the wiring is exposed.

Choosing a reputable brand that understands security is important.  With smartware, the important components are hidden away and wouldn’t mean much to us, so it is difficult, if not impossible to look at a piece of smartware and ascertain its quality and reliability. When choosing a supplier, fabricators and installers need to look at their supplier’s reputation, and ask themselves some key questions: Do they provide quality products? Do they have a strong supply network? Can they offer me help and advice if required? Is there a good after-care service for the homeowner?  Choosing a stable company such as ERA with a solid trading history is important so you can have confidence your customer is supported for the longer term with app development and replacement parts.

For those who have until now only offered traditional products and for whom working with smart solutions feels a little daunting, ERA’s in-house panel of experts offers help and advice. It has been expanded with the implementation of a dedicated helpdesk specifically for its portfolio of smart products. The team is on hand to answer queries and provide peace of mind for fabricators and installers as they familiarise themselves with smartware, also giving them a clear point of contact to refer their customers to for aftercare if they have any questions post-fitting.   ERA also offers installers the chance to sign up to Smartware Training, held every month, were installers can get 4 hours of hands-on training so they can install from start to finish with confidence. 

ERA’s smartware includes the HomeGuard Pro alarm, a high specification cloud-based alert and monitoring alarm system, the first of its kind to combine security with smart living. Operated by a smart phone app, HomeGuard Pro offers real time alerts through wifi and allows the alarm to be armed or disarmed from anywhere.  With access within the app to internal cameras, a homeowner can have full confidence that if there was an intruder, the HomeGuard sensors will trigger the alarm which sounds a 110db siren outside, the 80db hub inside as well as alerting their network of contacts, all of which are alerted simultaneously in the event of an intrusion.

One of the benefits for homeowners of HomeGuard Pro that fabricators and installers can communicate to their customers is that being cloud-based, the system is a good money-saving option. This is because as new features become available, the hub can simply be upgraded via the cloud with no need for replacement or physical adaptions. With the sector developing rapidly this means this affordable product can move with the times.

Likewise, ERA’s WiFi video doorbell, DoorCam allows homeowners to view all callers and talk to them in real time, whether they’re home or not. With ease of operation in mind, once DoorCam is wired in, the householder can simply plug in the WiFi chime which comes as standard, connecting up to four more chimes in the home, all as part of the package.  This means a chime will sound in the house, with adjustable sound, volume and light function, eliminating the need to carry a Smartphone around. DoorCam allows homeowners to collect video clips via its history log, thanks to adjustable motion detection.

The wiring part of the DoorCam is potentially a concern for installers, who don’t see wiring as their thing. It is worth noting here that if your customer doesn’t have existing doorbell wiring, the DoorCam can be purchased with a power adaptor and 5metre of cable so with a simple hole through the doorframe, it can be plugged in easily in the hallway.

ERA is soon to be adding to their smart product line with a brand-new security system.  Tania continued, “ERA Investment in research and development of smart security reinforces our continued commitment to advancing on security products, just like they have always done.  ERA have never been content with being standard and like to push the boundaries on product lines; smart security is no different.”

With many homeowners not confident in installing smart technology themselves, it falls on the professionals to help. A great new business opportunity for the trade, but also a genuine source of peace of mind for customers.

ERA are helping installers to capitalise on the need for an installer by launching this March, the ERA Installer Scheme.  Homeowners can search for an ERA Installer in their local area and be connected via the system to the Installer.  There are no fees for the installer to join the scheme, this is 100% about creating a handshake between the homeowner and the installer.  Tania commented, “If our installer network is prepared to invest in us and fit our products, we are prepared to invest in them.”  As part of the ERA Installer network, ERA supply van decals and operate a full feedback system that the installer can go on to earn branded uniform.

“The installers have full access to their own profile to say what they want and can include images and their company logo.  If they have done smartware training, they also have that icon attached to their profile.  We try then to support the installer by offering them marketing support such as own branded flyers with their own details on to hand out to customers, as well as website pages that can be dropped into their own website and promote the smartware.”  Homeowners can sign up to be an installer at:  www.erahomesecurity.com

As window and door installers add to their portfolio and increase their service offering and overall value to their customer, ERA want to be right there to support; partnering from beginning to end to ensure installers feel knowledgeable and confident all the way through.