WHAT IS HOME AUTOMATION

Home Automation is the integration and control of lighting, security, home theatre equipment, motorised blinds and curtains, irrigation systems, climate control and more.

A true 'smart' home should be intuitive and simple to use, meaning everyone in the family can operate and enjoy the experience.

The result is a 'smart' system that enhances and simplifies your life and never complicates it.

Implementing Home Automation is a journey. It's a journey that has many side roads and alternatives, a journey which needs to be navigated carefully. When implemented properly and in the light of knowledge, home automation can enhance and improve your lifestyle. When rushed and not well thought out it can become a complicated, unsatisfying and expensive exercise which doesn't deliver the desired result. Like many things, 'Knowledge' is the key to success.

Selecting the components that make up a final solution can be daunting.  It is sort of like driving down a road in a fog, you see some of the scenery but not all of it. People who design their own solutions (typically in consultation with an electrician or architect) often find that a couple of months after commissioning... when the fog has cleared and they know more... that they wished they had done things differently both from the design 'and' product selection point of view.  Their 'knowledge' has been obtained too late.

KMW Corp has been following the home automation trend for a number of years now. We have seen what works and what doesn't work.  We have seen the mistakes that home owners, electricians and architects have made in the past and developed our business model to ensure the same mistakes are not made by our clients. Our role in the process is to act as your guide and help you safely navigate on your journey.

Lastly, if for no other reason, we encourage you to use our services to protect your investment.  Ask real estate agents about home automation and they will often tell you it doesn't add value and in certain cases can detract from the value of a property.  The reason... because it hasn't been done properly.  Don't be put off by this, it's just important to know.  Done properly, home automation does add value to your home.

LEARNING ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY

• In our first meeting together we discuss home automation.  We explain what can and can't be done, what works and what doesn't work.  We educate you on how to use technology to enhance your lifestyle.  We educate you on additional things you may not have thought about.  Believe it or not, we often discourage some solutions that look good and have a high 'initial' desirability factor but which are simply not practical - the sorts of things people often wished they hadn't wasted money on after the event. 
• This first meeting leaves you lots to think about and discuss with the family.  It's important to take time to think about what can be done and visualise solutions in place.  This helps you decide what you really do and don't want to achieve.

DECIDING WHAT YOU 'REALLY' WANT TO ACHIEVE

• After you've had time to think about what 'can' be achieved the next step in your journey is to decide what you really 'want' to achieve.  This involves a review of your requirements and goals

• In this phase we identify clear well thought out objectives.

DESIGNING THE SOLUTION

• In this phase we firstly look at specific products that can be used to achieve your objectives and we explain the difference between different brands and products.  One of the most important things we do is to encourage the use of 'proven' products from 'reputable and successful' companies.  This is extremely important  because in a few years many of the manufacturers and products available today simply won't be around to support their products.
• Once you've selected the solutions you want to incorporate we start work on the design.  This often involves a few meetings together to fine tune and finalise the design.
• At the conclusion of this phase we can consult with your builder and trades people to finalise the cost.  We can then prepare a proper scope of work for the project.  A proper scope of work is vital as this is the document against which we compare what has been delivered.  A proper scope of work ensures you get what you pay for, no excuses are acceptable, if it's in the scope of works it 'has' to be done.

PROJECT MANAGING THE INSTALLATION

• This is the second most important aspect of our service.  We usually conduct four site inspections, more if required. The first is after the frame is up before trades people (electricians in particular) start roughing things in.  We ensure they are very clear on what has to be done and have a means of contacting us directly if questions arise.
• The second inspection is done after all the wiring has been installed but before the walls are covered etc.  There are always minor things which have to be corrected at this stage.  These are the things that usually don't get discovered by the owner until it's too late and they are forced to live with them... things like outlets in the wrong place, speakers off centre, integrated components that have been located in inaccessible locations and need to be moved slightly so they can be serviced later on etc.  We also inspect all the data, security and audiovisual cabling for damage and security.
• The third inspection is done once the building is almost complete but prior to fitout.  We meet with the installers and make sure they are clear about the fitout and again establish a direct means of communication so they can ask questions when necessary during the fitout.
• The fourth inspection is carried out after the fitout to validate and ensure that everything in the scope of work so far has been satisfactorily delivered.

COMMISSIONING

• This is when the system is programmed, tested and commissioned.  Whether done by us or third parties, we ensure everything is working as expected by the client and required by the scope of work.

TRAINING USERS

• Training occurs once you've moved in and varies depending on the products installed.  We teach you how to use and maintain the system.

POST INSTALLATION SUPPORT

• We conduct a fifth inspection a month after you have taken possession and moved in.  This inspection is allows us to fine tune any programming and resolve any issues that might have arisen.

 RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

We recommend the following products when considering home automation: