Smart home, or How to forget about everyday issues forever

In the 21st century, technology has rapidly entered the life of every person. It's not just communications, cars or computers that have changed. Automation has also affected personal space. The smart home system is becoming increasingly widespread. It saves time and effort, creates a comfortable environment around a modern person. In Europe, the system has long gained popularity. In Russia, such services are not yet common.

What is a smart home

Technology covers:

1. Lighting.
2. Cooling/heating of the room.
3. Ventilation.
4. Operation of electrical networks.
5. Alarm system, video recording.
6. Home monitoring, including simulating the presence of people.

There are no clear rules and requirements for compliance with all points. Individual preferences play a key role. Some will be satisfied with a standard offer and, for example, controlling a smart system from a computer. However, the budget option may not be suitable for a country house.

In Europe, ready-made systems with predefined functions are used. But often buyers do not want to overpay for unnecessary services and additional equipment. Therefore, to create a successful business you will need a variety of options.

Smart home design

Smart home technology creates the necessary comfort in your home. The final result depends on how well the choice is made, preparation for installation and adjustment of all systems is carried out. Options for creating a smart home:

1. DIY solutions . The user assembles and connects the system independently. They usually do not require configuration.
2. Custom Install . Installation and configuration should be done by professionals. The project is usually agreed upon during the construction stage of the house.

When designing a smart home, it is important to consider how it interacts with control systems:

• building;
• emergency assistance;
• resource accounting;
• content delivery.

This will ensure high quality services. The presence of errors does not have fatal consequences. However, any malfunction of the air conditioner or water supply system will prevent the full use of the premises.

The architect and design engineer must work together from the very beginning. All they need to do is make a preliminary sketch describing the tasks that the smart system will perform. The next step is the preparation of technical specifications for the design. A detailed smart home project includes a full package of documents for the installed system. It must fully satisfy the client’s needs and take into account the specifics of a particular object.

Marketing tools for finding Smart Home clients

The first thing to start with is website development. A modern website that takes into account the specifics of the activity and actively warms up the interest of Internet users is exactly what is needed for successful business in this direction.

Having a web resource, you will need to promote it. A complex of contextual advertising in search engines, SEO, and search engine partner sites (YAN and MSG) is best suited. Working together can give excellent results, as full coverage on the Internet is organized. Reaching the audience for related queries significantly increases traffic, but in most cases its quality decreases. It’s worth taking this factor into account and not expecting high conversions.

It is best to promote the service in large cities. Since people are poorly versed in brands, a high increase in targeted traffic comes from promoting competitors’ brand requests.

Retargeting plays a significant role. The Smart Home product has a long transaction cycle. In some cases, it will be necessary to make up to 10 touches from potential buyers to close a client for purchase. Therefore, without competent remarketing, you can miss out on a certain share of income.

Another direction is promotion on social networks. Since the product is innovative and still little known to most people, SMM is a highly effective communication option aimed at generating demand. Based on the parameters of the target audience, the emphasis should be on Vkontakte, Facebook, Instagram. Targeted advertising, development of public pages and groups, colorful infographics and demonstration of the system’s capabilities are the main areas of development.

The YouTube video hosting network can also be a very promising tool. Having well-developed video content and presentations, you can not only find new clients through the video platform, but also whet the interest of site visitors who doubt the need to connect a Smart Home. If you want to get an even greater effect, you can additionally use advertising in Yandex video networks, which include many web resources and have access to audiences with Smart TVs.

Don't forget about classic advertising methods. If you are a young brand and want to increase awareness, you should consider placing graphic banners and creating creatives. The main goal is to focus attention and be remembered by the audience.

One way or another, by analyzing the overall effect of various marketing options, you can identify channels with the best return (conversion). By correctly redistributing the budget for promotion, there will be an increase in income, ROI and profitability in general.

How the technology works

The operating principle of a smart home is to execute commands. They can come:

• from a person . Commands to perform certain actions (make coffee, turn on the air conditioner) are given using voice control of a smart home, remote control or smartphone. The processing and direction of commands to the desired device is provided by the processor. This management model produces fewer failures;
• from sensors . The computer gives commands to the devices. It acts according to given algorithms or makes decisions when sensors detect changes in conditions. For example, if there is activity in the house at the wrong time, the computer turns on the siren or sends a message to security.

Smart home components:

• sensors for receiving information;
• hub (central smart home controller);
• devices that perform specific tasks.

Mobile application smart home

Mobile applications that make your home safer and less energy-intensive:

Black quote

The system allows you to control lighting, heated floors and heaters, air conditioners, curtains, and water shutoff. It will detect water leaks and shut off the risers. If necessary, notify the owner of an attempt to break into the building. You can control the system from a tablet or phone.

The cost of a basic set of equipment starts from 50 thousand rubles.

Manufacturers of smart home systems

The world's best smart home manufacturers:

1. Control4 (USA). The company offers a smart way to control security, lighting, energy consumption, music or video in the home. The official distributor in Russia is A&T Trade.
2. Danfoss (Denmark). The company offers everything needed to automate the heating, cooling and air conditioning systems of buildings. As well as regulating the operation of electric motors, monitoring and control systems.
3. Arlight (Germany). The company produces wireless equipment for controlling lighting and other life support systems of houses, apartments or offices.
4. VIA Technologies (Taiwan). Produces electronic circuits, chipsets for motherboards, microprocessors and memory chips.
5. Mean Well . The corporation includes five financially independent companies from China, the USA, Europe and the island of Taiwan. Mean Well manufactures switching power supplies, DC-DC converters, inverters and battery chargers.

Where to buy a smart home system

The intelligent system can be purchased from one of the companies:

1. MiMiSmart . Address: Moscow, Varshavskoe highway, 17. E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 8 (800) 505‑20-53, +7 (495) 968‑59-11.
2. Embedded Systems . Address: Moscow, 1st st. Entuziastov, 3, office. 46. ​​E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 8 (800) 775‑06-34, +7 (495) 988‑09-91.
3. Ektostroy . Address: Moscow, 5th Monetchikovsky lane, 5, building 2, office. 10. E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 8 (800) 555‑22-69, +7 (495) 215‑22-69.
4. Rubetek. Address: Moscow, Derbenevskaya embankment, 7, building 12. Telephone: 8 (800) 777‑53-73.
5. 5. 220Help. Address: Moscow, st. Berzarina, 23. E-mail Phone: +7 (495) 357-16-45.
6. Ms engineering . Address: Moscow, st. Nizhnyaya Syromyatnicheskaya, 10, building 9, office 32 (2nd floor). E-mail Phone: +7 (495) 989‑22-62.
7. Xital. Address: Moscow, st. Novoposelkovaya, 6, building 2, office 321 (3rd floor). E-mail Phone: +7 (495) 545‑11-32, +7 (925) 545‑11-32.
8. Sm-Teh . Address: Moscow, st. Vereyskaya, 29, building 154, office 8A. E-mail: [email protected] Phone.
9. Inttechno . Address: Moscow, Syromyatnichesky pr., 4, building 2, room. VI (3rd floor). E-mail Phone: +7 (495) 199-32-43.
10. Alone at home . Address: Moscow, st. Avtozavodskaya, 23A, bldg. 2. Telephone.

System cost calculation

Equipment for an apartment or cottage is a budget option. Its cost depends on the type and number of devices required. The client pays for the components, installation of the smart system, commissioning, programming of the controller and actuators.

You can calculate the approximate cost of a smart system using a calculator. Such programs are usually available on specialized sites. You can find out how much the system costs on the IBCSOL.RU website. The calculator is located at – https://www.ibcsol.ru/smart-home/calculator/. When making calculations you need to take into account:

• number of sensors and control devices, their functionality;
• options for the location of activators and network topology, equipment for other functions;
• dimensions of a residential building and location of rooms.

Wai Thai franchise

It has been on the franchising market for 7 years and continues to show steady growth in the service sector - Thai massage. The Wai Thai company has developed a business system, adapting it to the characteristics of the Russian market, with the prospect of further development not only in the Moscow region, but also in other cities.

Note! The chain of salons providing Thai massage pays special attention to staff selection, which already makes it unique.

For this purpose, we have created our own agency, which performs the function of personnel selection, which not only finds future employees, but also brings in Thai specialists with at least 7 years of experience. The main concept of the business is that employees in this service sector undergo strict selection and are hired on the most favorable terms. Their movement does not depend on the carrier company. Franchisees always attract the best specialists to work in Spa salons.

The pricing policy of such a massage salon is focused on reasonable prices for the highest class service. The goal of the business is to create and maintain a harmonious triangle consisting of master-client-owner.

The master must have enough time for a high-quality, professional massage so that the client feels attention to his person and is satisfied with the service received. In this case, the business owner receives a regular clientele, which ensures stable revenue. The contract is drawn up for a maximum period of 5 years. Some cash investment is required.

A Wai Thai franchise will cost:

1. Investments – within 2,000,000-4,500,000 rubles.
2. Entry fee – within 300,000-350,000 rubles.
3. Royalty – approximately 15,000 rubles. for 1 Thai massage master per month.
4. deductions .
5. Profit – within 100,000-300,000 rubles. (depending on the salon and the number of masseuses).
6. Payback – 15-18 months.
7. Regions of development – ​​Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Moldova.
8. Staff – 5-6 people.
9. Room area – 90-1400 m2.

Smart home as a business: where to start

The number of fans of the intelligent system is growing every year. New product suppliers are appearing on the market. However, the niche has not yet been completely filled. Entrepreneurs have ample opportunities to build a business.

Initially, you need to study the industry and analyze the market. Particular attention should be paid to the pricing policies of competitors. At first you will have to offer lower prices. Otherwise, it will be difficult to gain a clientele. You also need to determine the format of the future enterprise:

1. Cooperation with different companies (manufacturing, installation, service companies) and competent programmers.
2. Smart home system project of our own design . In this case, only equipment is purchased. The rest of the work is carried out by hired specialists.

In addition to personnel costs, a test site and time to correct defects will be required. This is a more labor-intensive process. But if successful, the proven technology can be offered to other companies.

Another option is working as a franchise. Large companies require compliance with a number of conditions and remuneration. However, this method will reduce the risks associated with shortcomings, time and money spent on your own smart projects.

Staff

The opening and subsequent operation of an enterprise is associated with an inevitable change in the number of workers, which is due to the unpredictability of the market and changes in the number of projects being implemented during different periods of the company’s activities. It is assumed that in the first year of operation, in order to fulfill the service delivery plan, the enterprise must have the following employees:

• Technical specialists – 3.
• Installers – 1.
• Programmers – 1.

The total number of present employees is 5 people.

At the initial stage of the enterprise’s operation, the founder takes on the responsibilities of management, and the accounting department is outsourced.

Calculation of labor costs for the company's employees is presented in the summary table for assessing the effectiveness of the project.

Enterprise registration

Installation and configuration of equipment requires concluding contracts with different companies or obtaining a license. Therefore, it is advisable to immediately create a legal entity. The best option is LLC. When submitting documents to the Federal Tax Service, you must indicate OKVED codes:

• 43.99 “Other specialized construction work, not included in other groups”;
• 80.20 “Security systems services.”

At the same time, you need to choose a taxation system. An enterprise can operate on the simplified tax system (6% or 15% depending on the object).

To include a home security function in a smart home system, a license is required. Only specialized organizations can carry out full-fledged security activities. You can offer simpler options or enter into an agreement with a private security company. A fire safety license will also be required.

Work algorithm

A ready-made smart home business is based on the following scheme:

• after discussions and agreements with the client, specialists visit the site to coordinate further actions;
• formation of a commercial offer;
• design of mechanisms according to architectural plan;
• visiting the site and agreeing on all key parameters;
• prepayment (usually no more than 50%);
• installation of a “smart home” system;
• commissioning works;
• delivery of the object;
• payment of the remaining amount.

Required documents

To register a legal entity you need:

• application (form P11001);
• minutes of the meeting of founders on the creation of the enterprise;
• constituent documents (2 copies);
• receipt of payment of state duty (4 thousand rubles).

Note. From 01/01/2019, when submitting documents for state registration in electronic format, the state duty is not paid.

You can submit papers to the registrar by personally contacting the Federal Tax Service office, through a multifunctional center, by mail or electronically.

Premises and staff

The company will need an office to communicate with clients and conclude contracts. Separately, you need to provide space for your own equipment. In addition, the specifics of the business require round-the-clock call reception. Therefore, you need to organize an operator’s workplace or enter into an agreement with an outsourcing company.

A business style office is a prerequisite for wealthy clients (penthouse owners, company directors). The presentation of technologies should be carried out at a professional level.

Special requirements are also placed on personnel. Managers may not know the technical parameters of a smart home controller. However, they must understand commercial offers, cost calculations, equipment capabilities, and how wireless communications work. Scheme of personnel work organization:

1. Managers communicate with clients in the office and maintain installed smart systems.
2. The composition of the visiting team may vary depending on the proposed project. You can hire specialists who will make their own decisions or ordinary workers under the guidance of a foreman who knows how to create and run the system with his own hands.
3. An individual sketch and commercial description are made for each client. At the same time, the cost of the work is agreed upon.
4. After making an advance payment, specialists install and launch the smart system.
5. The customer accepts the work and pays the remaining amount.

Outsourcing 24

Many businessmen have realized that the narrower the employee’s specialization, the more competent he is in this matter, but often hiring such a specialist for a small business is too expensive.

In this case, outsourcing companies come to the rescue.

They come in several varieties, but IT technologies provide the greatest interest. IT outsourcing includes programming, development and maintenance of software, creation and promotion of websites, equipment maintenance, anti-virus protection and establishment of security systems (protecting the network from unauthorized access outside the organization), backup of all information, consultations and work with personnel (education).

1. investments .
2. royalties .
3. Country of origin – Russia.

Business profitability

With an investment of about 350,000 rubles, the net profit of a simple project for an apartment will be about 30,000 rubles. When equipping a 3-story country house, you can earn up to 500,000 rubles.

But you shouldn’t count on such high earnings right away. Even powerful advertising will provide no more than 3-5 clients. Taking into account monthly costs (salaries, rent, taxes), full payback can be achieved in 9 months.

With each new contract, the company acquires a permanent client who will pay for the maintenance of the smart system.

Financial plan

To implement a business idea, investments of at least 360 thousand rubles are required. Expenses will be needed to rent premises for a representative office, purchase office equipment, develop a commercial proposal and register. Monthly expenses are necessary to pay salaries, rent, taxes, and advertising deductions. It is irrational to pre-purchase equipment to equip a smart home system; as a rule, purchases occur after signing a contract with the client.

Net profit will depend on the range of services provided. It can vary from 20-30 thousand rubles for a simple order and up to half a million rubles for equipping a three-story house. New companies start with simple orders; attracting 2-3 orders per month is an excellent start for newcomers to the innovative market. In the provinces you shouldn’t count on expensive orders and elite clients; in large cities the situation is the opposite. Before deciding to organize a business, you need to draw up a business plan and study as much information as possible.

Franchise smart home

Opening a business from scratch in this direction is not so easy. You will have to work in an innovative market where the latest technologies are available. For the project to be profitable, it is more advisable to start working on a franchising basis. Typically, franchisors offer ready-made marketing and business plans, software, and training in methods of attracting customers. Available offers:

1. INSYTE. Investments – from 2.5 million rubles. Lump sum payment – ​​1 million rubles. Royalty – 5% per month. Payment is taken six months after launch. Payback period – 5 months. Details of cooperation can be found at the link – insyte.ru.
2. Smart House. Investments – from 365 thousand rubles. Lump sum payment – ​​175 thousand rubles. Royalty – 5% of store turnover. Payback period – 6 months.
3. MimiSmart . Investments – from 10 to 15 thousand euros. Lump sum payment – ​​10 thousand euros. There are no royalties. Payback period – from 6 months. Details of the cooperation can be found at the link – mimismart.ru.

Electronic signature Ekey

The franchisee’s task is to find clients and then prepare documents that allow them to sell an electronic signature certificate. The work does not require a license or infrastructure support. The franchisee simply sells services on an electronic signature, and the company ensures their functionality.

1. Investment – ​​583 euros.
2. royalties .
3. Payback – 3 months.
4. Country of origin – Russia.

Pros and cons of business

Business advantages:

1. Each client becomes permanent (setup, maintenance or improvement of the system).
2. Having a customer base ensures stable income even in the absence of new orders.
3. You can offer clients parallel services (installation of security and fire alarms, video surveillance systems).
4. Low competition.

The business of selling intelligent systems also has disadvantages. This type of activity is more suitable for megacities. Developing a business in a small town is not practical. Smart home technology is available only to wealthy people. And usually there are not so many of them.