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As an industry that is being significantly impacted from the ramifications of COVID-19, it is important to gauge the opportunities in front of us and how we can differentiate our businesses moving forward. Our top priority is to do everything we can to help our members and the lighting industry remain healthy, both in body and business.
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Terry McGowan, FIES, LC
Director, Engineering & Technology
Newsletter Sponsor:
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The Smart Home as a Service
Consolidating products into a convenient, responsive system
As I indicated last time when I wrote about The Integrated Home and SHEMS , this is the year of the Smart or "Integrated" Home -- the time when we start to see results of efforts to consolidate the various smart or connected products in the home into systems which better respond to a broader range of user needs and simplify the installation, operation and maintenance of connected products.
The goal of the developing smart home industry is to add benefits such as remote troubleshooting, cost and energy savings to turn a house full of connected products into an easy-to-use and responsive system. That system then becomes a customized service tuned to the needs and lifestyles of the people in the home rather than just a collection of electronic devices.
Such systems and services are already being sold and used in some parts of the world, including the U.K. See, for example:
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The process was predicted to take three to five years. Now, because of our global health emergency, it may take longer. But even in these tough and troubled times, new products are being designed and introduced, system standards are being written and opportunities for the future are appearing. ALA and its members are an important part of that process and it is a good time to learn, think and plan.
A recently released, fact-based roadmap is available to explain changes expected in the emerging smart home industry and how they will affect our residential lighting industry players: OEMs, distributors, reps, retailers, designers, service providers, system integrators and contractors. The information is in the form of a research report titled, Smart Home as a Service (SHaaS) .
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Early this year, ALA signed on as a sponsor of the SHaaS research report which was organized by CABA, the Continental Automated Buildings Association. For some 30 years now, CABA has researched, tracked and promoted advanced technologies in homes. Report sponsors had opportunities to help direct the research and analyze the early data, which included a survey of 1500+ consumers in the U.S. and Canada. ALA took advantage of those opportunities while also inviting other ALA members to join as sponsors. WAC Lighting and Big Ass Fans signed up with ALA, and other ALA members participated separately. The result is that the SHaaS Final Report includes substantial input from our industry, and carefully examines the role of lighting from the technology, product and business standpoints as the opportunities become real over the next three to five or so years.
Every ALA member is welcome to a copy of the CABA SHaaS report at no charge. It takes some time to read - I got through it after three days - but it was well worth the effort and the consumer survey results reflect the demographics of our retail markets. The report can viewed here , and will soon be posted on the ALA website. If you are not able to access the links, please email me at lighting@ieee.org to request a pdf copy. In addition, ALA will be posting webinar links, summaries and other information about the report in case you missed our original SHaaS webinar on March 24.
My own summary is this: Lighting is viewed in the report as a driver and an essential part of what is likely to become the "Smart Home as a Service."
That's because residential lighting not only fills critical needs in a home, but also adds comfort, convenience and style to home life. Some consumers may be content with a DIY approach, but, as the consumer data in the report indicates, many others will want their lighting and other smart home products to do more, which creates an opportunity to sell service as well as products in new ways. Companies that provide home security, entertainment or internet services will want to add lighting to their service offerings, so our industry must make decisions about what services it can offer or work with others who do. There are many options already and many more to come. ALA is ready to support your efforts.
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Engineering & Technology News
CSA Group Research Report
DC Microgrids in Buildings . LEDs are direct current devices, but can DC power complete homes? This report looks at the idea of DC "microgrids" in homes and other buildings as more are equipped with large storage batteries and photovoltaic power sources. Download the pdf at: http://alturl.com/iotjj
UL Webinar
COVID-19 Business Continuity for Compliance Professionals - Remote Auditing and Witnessing of Tests
This webinar describes how product testing can proceed remotely. If you missed the live presentation this morning, you can register to view the recorded version at: http://alturl.com/73yz7
EPA ENERGY STAR
Smart Home Energy Management Systems
(SHEMS) . A series of webinars describing how SHEMS will involve manufacturers, retailers, utilities and home builders. All of the webinars are recorded and ready for viewing. Go to: http://alturl.com/xpe4e
Next edition of the NEC
The 2023 edition of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70®) is now underway and open for proposed additions and changes. The closing date is Sept. 10, 2020. You may input online at: http://alturl.com/v9dy2
Your feedback and questions will help me make this every-other-month newsletter interesting and useful. Your suggestions for topics are welcome and thank you for your input and comments.
Sincerely,
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Terry McGowan, FIES, LC
Dir. of Engineering & Technology
American Lighting Association
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Guidance for manufacturers seeking to retool for COVID-19 response
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UL is addressing COVID-19 by helping guide companies through the manufacturing requirements of building ventilators and respirators, while inspecting manufacturer facilities for compliance and certification.
UL’s actions include:
- Addressing urgent healthcare provider needs and offering to help manufacturers retool their factories to produce life-saving equipment at a quick-turn, while ensuring all quality control and regulatory requirements are met throughout the highly regulated process
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- Ensuring needed products get to market safely by working with manufacturers on the inspection and certification of their factories to retool and be designated as official “healthcare device manufacturing sites,” via ISO 13485 and other related standards
This effort is important because manufacturers may not produce products during this time unless certified against current emergency regulatory requirements. Manufacturers will find more information about providing needed healthcare products is available here .
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