Home Automation Improves Homes, Lives and Resale Value!

By now, you’ve probably heard about – if not own for yourself – Amazon’s Alexa. You might even belong to the 25 percent of people who own some other kind of smart home product.

What you might not have heard is that smart home technology is making its mark on the real estate industry. In fact, artificial intelligence (like Alexa) and other smart home technology can actually increase the resale value of most homes – an important factor to consider now that more Millennials are buying homes and interested in these connected devices.

This shift comes as no surprise. Smart home technology can increase energy efficiency, which saves homeowners money on utility bills, while also providing an eco-friendly appeal. Combine this with the added convenience of technology controlling your thermostat and connecting all of your media, to the safety and security of keyless entry, video doorbells and 24/7 monitoring, and it’s no wonder why so many homeowners are investing in this tech to improve their homes and lives.

Houzz also reported an increase in the importance of smart technology integration among home buyers, especially first-time buyers, in their 2017 Houzz and Home renovation overview. This increase came along with an increase in “green” energy and material trends, as well as improving the functionality of a home and alleviating health concerns, which can also all be addressed with the right smart tech.

Having control over every aspect of their home is so important to some home buyers that integrating these systems can not only increase the overall market value of your home by 3-7 percent, but also help you sell it sooner. According to A Lot Living, the automation systems that can add the most value to your home “include whole house lighting control, automated door locks, temperature control that works from a phone, and security cameras, as well as home alarm systems.”

At a time when people are busy and constantly connected, home buyers are prioritizing the connectivity and convenience offered by home automation and other smart technology systems. So whether you’re looking to buy your first home or sell one you’ve had for a years, consider the benefits of a fully-automated home.

Put Your Smart Home to Work

Put Your Smart Home to Work

Throughout the year we endeavor to keep you abreast of the latest in technologies and trends. 2017 has witnessed the adoption of integrated voice control, amazing advances in LEDs, incredible strides in virtual reality and so much more! Our smart homes are truly getting smarter and smarter, but how can we use their features to make our homes safer? Well, here are some simple ways to put your home automation system to work, ensuring you and your family a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

1)     Light it Up! Every deterrent counts when a would-be burglar assesses your home’s vulnerability. A well-lit home is your first defense. Use landscape lighting, flood lights, and motion-activated lighting around your entire home.

2)     Fake them out! Create lighting scenes that truly mimic your patterns while you’re away. Control4 calls it Mockupancy™. Indoor and exterior lights, shades, televisions and even the Christmas tree are set up on alternating sequences to simulate that lived-in look.

3)     Lock it Up! Automated door locks (smartlocks) with integrated alarms and anti-pick shields add an extra layer of security and convenience.

4)     Lock it down! If you’ve got a home security system, use it. If you don’t have one, call us. If you’ve got one and haven’t used it for a while, call us to schedule to check. Aside from deterring potential thieves, a monitored security system alerts first responders to fire and medical emergencies. And this is a great time to check that your carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

5)     Keep an eye on it! Enhance your security system with cameras and motion sensors. Their presence alone is a great deterrent.  You’ll be able to keep an eye on things while away and access recordings should any misdeeds occur.

6)     Download the App! Embrace the technology and use the various features available. They offer incredible convenience and peace of mind.

 7)     Gate it off! Be cyber safe by updating your home network. We’re savvy to the latest potential threats and can help protect your home’s critical infrastructure.

8)     Pull the plug! Eliminate the possibility of having your garage door breached. Pull the plug when you’re planning to be away.

9)     Resist the urge! We’re our own worst enemies. Don’t flaunt those beautifully wrapped gifts in the windows for all to see, hold off on that social post from your exotic locale until you’re back home and break down the boxes that your new electronic toys came in to avoid curbside advertising of what’s new on the inside.

Be smart and stay safe and healthy this holiday season. If you have any questions about home automation and its role in your safety and security, please contact us. We’re here to help. Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays.

Additional Resources:

Protecting Your Home from Burglars during the Holidays

Preparing Your Home for the Holidays

Company is Coming to Town!

The holidays are around the corner! Soon our homes will be filled with festive decorations, mouthwatering smells wafting from the kitchen and guests to entertain! Whether you’ve been thinking about sprucing up your home before your guests descend or simply want to make some comfortable home improvements that will add to your holiday merriment, here are some things you may wish to consider.

No Place Like Home for the Holidays

Nothing says “Welcome” quite like elegant lighting design. From the moment your guests turn the corner, they’ll see your beautifully lit landscape and inviting walkway.  Your foyer, with highlighted artwork and the soft glow of a chandelier make a stunning first impression. Lighting scenes can transform the mood at the touch of a button (or a simple “ask” of your integrated voice control). An “Entertain” setting may turn your kitchen into a bustling center of activity full of food prep and lively conversation while lowering the downlights, sconces and chandelier in the dining room, setting the stage for the evening’s elegant meal. Following dinner the lights come back up to your “Clean-up” setting and your favorite holiday playlist ques up, drawing everyone to gather around the fireplace (also integrated into your home’s Control4 technology system).

With our gorgeous South Florida evenings, entertain on the patio. Lighting will showcase architectural features, planters and fountains for added drama while highlighting uneven walking surfaces and stairs for comfort and safety.  You and your guests can enjoy cozying up around the fire pit to watch your favorite holiday classics on a weatherproof outdoor TV or enjoy soft background music (or dance music!) from your outdoor audio.

If the weather outside is “frightful”, bring the party indoors into an updated media room or dedicated home cinema. We’ll help you plan the perfect space with plenty of plush custom theater seating.

The Envy of Your Neighbors

If you’re one who wants to share your joy and seek to become a “destination” (or YouTube phenomenon) by putting on an outdoor display that could land a 747, you’ll need a sound system that’s worthy of the task. Those synchronized music and lighting displays are sophisticated, but if you have an integrated home automation system, we can get you in control and in “sync”!

Another feature that adds beauty, warmth and comfort is motorized window shades or draperies.  Automated window coverings can be integrated with your lighting scenes and come in an elegant array of weaves, styles and colors. They are the perfect solution for hard to reach floor-to-ceiling windows in voluminous rooms and can be on separate settings. They’re also great for blacking out light in areas for TV viewing and are available for custom installations over skylights, stairway/foyer accent windows, etc.

Like a Warm Cup of Cocoa

While preparing your guest rooms, imagine offering them the luxury of automation. Easy-to-read and use touch panels, keypads and hand-held remotes that control lighting, fans, fireplaces and more in their room, as well as add elegance and enjoyment to their stay. 

All snug in their beds

While we’re off dreaming of sugar plums, others are up to Grinch-like behavior scheming to steal the joy from our celebration. Yes, unfortunately, according to the FBI, nearly 400,000 homes are burglarized during November and December each year. Burglars are opportunists and will move to an easier score when a few simple deterrents are in place. Strong door locks, compatible with your Control4 system, will keep them out while allowing you the ability to remotely “buzz” your family and friends in using your smartphone app if you’re caught in holiday traffic. And nothing says “we’re home” like programmed indoor and exterior lighting. And your lighting control can be integrated with your home security system for even greater peace of mind.

So give us a call and let us help you prepare for the holidays! We’ve even got a Control4 one-room solution bundle to get you started! All you need to do is create your holiday playlist, address your invitations and start shopping! Shopping? Oh yeah, we’ve got you covered there too! Stay tuned for our gift giving guide. We’ll help you find something for every tech-enthusiast on your list! 

How to Optimize The Enjoyment of Your Home’s Technology System

Feature-Rich and Trouble Free! How to Optimize Your Enjoyment of Your Home’s Technology Systems. 

We’ve recently talked about getting together to assess your home’s technology systems. It’s always a good idea to make sure you’re current on the latest technologies available and how to implement new devices now or in the near future. The other key to satisfaction with your technology systems is ensuring their “technical” health. Simple things, such as dusting components in the equipment rack, go a long way in preventing equipment from overheating. Part 2 of our annual Tech-Up addresses the advantages of having a preventative maintenance plan that would include a visit or two from one of our certified technicians.

Proper digital health requires a regular checkup and some TLC

While your systems may be running smoothly, it’s possible you’re due for a firmware or software update that could potentially activate new, desirable features. We’ll put your network and systems through a thorough test to ensure functionality and make necessary security updates. We’ll also check to make sure everything is properly connected to your network, preventing trouble down the road.

We suggest you make a note of any questions you’d like to ask during the service call and be sure to advise us of any new devices, features or systems you’re interested in learning about or adding.

An Ounce of Prevention

To optimize your enjoyment and satisfaction and to prolong the life of your system we offer our ALL DIGITAL Client Care Plans. The Plans are available in 3 tiers of service (Remote, On-site 1 and On-site 2) to proactively monitor and maintain your systems. Based on the size (number of connected devices) and complexity of your system, each tier features varying levels of services and covered benefits, allowing you to select the plan that best fits your needs. We understand that from time-to-time, equipment will fail. Our goal is zero system downtime and 100% client satisfaction. Our Plans are designed to meet those goals by properly maintaining your components for optimal performance and by discovering problems before they occur.

Healthy Network, Happy Home     

Depending on your service level, a maintenance visit with a Client Care Plan includes:

·       Complete System Inspection

·       Firmware updates

·       Dusting of equipment

·       Adjust Audio settings

·       Touch Panel and Remote Control testing

In addition, a Remote or On-site service plans include:

·       Remote diagnostics

·       Equipment resets

·       Monitoring of power outages and tweaks to programming

ALL DIGITAL Client Care Plans offer our customers added protection, convenience, and peace of mind beyond our standard 90-day service warranty. Our programs offer preventive maintenance visits, remote monitoring, and rapid response for resolving potential equipment issues to maximize your system's reliability and minimize worry. They also provide a cost savings on our services and hourly rates outside of the scheduled visits.

Your home technology is a part of your everyday life. We want you and your family to get the most out of it and we want you to know we’re here to help. We’d love to hear from you – please call us at 954-406-9049 with any questions or to schedule your maintenance visit today! 

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Luxury Trends in Home Automation

Luxury Trends in Home Automation

If you thought luxury in home automation ended with fancy shades, think again!

The South Florida lifestyle is nothing if not luxurious, and your home should be no exception. Design and lifestyle no longer have to be compromised when it comes to implementing home automation technology. In fact, luxury living is merging with smart tech to provide the epitome of style and comfort.

From a decked-out summer kitchen by the pool, to an audio system outside on the dock, to in-home theatre – the options are endless. Luxury automation can be implemented throughout your home, whether you want a high-tech wine cellar, fine-tuned air quality, or a serious security system.

Home automation technology provides the epitome of luxury when combined with your own design style. The right technology will allow you to have complete control of everything in your home – from the window shades and lighting, to the temperature, and even your security system. Improvements in this technology provide you access to your entire home from your phone or tablet at the touch of a finger or a simple voice command.

Whether you want a top-of-the-line smart kitchen or an over-the-top outdoor movie theatre in your Oceanside retreat – there is a perfect mix of home automation technology for you, which can be designed to suit your individual design style.

How to get the best tech into the most important rooms of your home

Installing smart technologies into key rooms enhances comfort and style in any home.

Comfort and personal style are key to designing any home; and implementing smart technology into your design can provide a seamless, custom solution to give you full control of your favorite space. Equipping key rooms in your home with technology can provide the ultimate in accessibility, while still complementing your individual style.

As with any design, aesthetics are key. Seamless built-in panels, hidden television units and in-ceiling speakers are just a few ways you can customize your audio, video and lighting, without compromising the appearance of the room.

As selfbuilder & homemaker says, with the proper technology in your design plan, “you can have full control of the technology in your room, and around your house for that matter, from the convenience of your bed.” Discreetly enclosing television in a beautiful cabinet that matches your décor, for example, is an excellent was to hide bulky and aesthetically displeasing equipment. You can even hide in-wall speakers with wallpaper.

But the trend expands beyond just the bedroom. More and more, homeowners are deciding to add technology in their bathrooms and kitchens – ensuring that you never miss your favorite show. While having your favorite playlist and even your home’s surveillance at an arm’s length.

And while integrated lighting, video and audio technology are important in your indoor living spaces, it’s easy to do the same outside. Mood-lighting and discreet surround sound speakers can provide the same level of comfort and style outside as they do inside.

Seek Professional Help! From a Certified Motorized Shade +/or Lighting Specialist, that is!

Seek Professional Help!  From a Certified Motorized Shade +/or Lighting Specialist, that is!

Resist!  It’s a beautiful South Florida afternoon and you find yourself in your favorite home improvement store.  You stroll down the electrical aisle in search of a replacement wall plate and, BAM, there it is, DIY lighting control.  Dimmers, outdoor lighting…Oh, just imagine…”Honey, did you turn off the patio lights? No? Ok [picks up remote], I got it.”  Bliss. Sigh. You round the corner and on the end-cap display, spotlighted as if the clouds have parted and sopranos are welcoming a new dawn….motorized window shades!  With a remote! Simple, elegant…You’ve been dreaming about blackouts for the Master Bedroom and Home Theater…maybe a lighter weave for the family room to protect the furniture, ease glare on the TV and block the heat…sounds perfect but….not so fast!

While DIY has its place, we caution you when it comes to automated lighting control and window shades.  We’ve recently experienced many homeowners calling to ask us to re-program their lighting and window treatments, integrating their weekend project into their system, only to find out that what they’ve installed is a single-room solution.  For us, the beauty of whole-home lighting and shade is just that – a whole-house integrated system.  Pre-set configurations; all-on/all-off, entertain, away, Good Morning!, Goodnight! modes– Portrait lights on with shades down, can lights on with shades at 50%....elegance, control and plenty of options! 

So, be tempted by that jaw-dropping display…be inspired…but before placing anything in your cart, please check with us to learn your options.  We want to be sure you’re happy with your investment.

Transforming an Integrated System into Your Integrated Lifestyle

Transforming an Integrated System into Your Integrated Lifestyle

More than incorporating various electronic components, an electronics systems contractor integrates your lifestyle – in your home, in your office, at the gym, while you’re away.  In today’s digital world, it’s what we’ve come to expect.  Don’t let those expectations fall short.

Proven methods ensure positive outcomes

A true differentiator in the digital environment, as a CEDIA Designer we subscribe to a proven design-build process: Discovery, Systems Design, Engineering, Implementation, Service & Support.  This process begins with a thorough “discovery”, a conversation about your current and future needs and wants, along with your budget and anticipated timeline.  This is a critical step that develops your system design.  Equally as important however, is the documentation that communicates that design. 

More than a list of “gear”

When presented with a design, it is critical that you understand how the system will perform, not simply what products are included.  Too often a business or homeowner is presented with a list of components that adds up to the bottom line, but fails to describe what the system will do.  How will it function in each space and how can you trust it will perform as specified?  Along with expert system design and engineering, you should be presented with a comprehensive document package that demonstrates proven design; project drawings, schematics, easy-to-understand scope-of-work, hardware and labor requirements.  Once we get your approval, this package then communicates the design to the installation team, programmer, architect, interior designer, plumber, electrician, millwork carpenter, etc.

Lifecycle to Lifestyle

Once engaged, the scheduling and installation process begins.  We manage the project throughout its lifecycle, communicating during each phase to keep you informed and in charge! Designing your integrated lifestyle is more than a list of stuff.  Let us show you.  We want you to know what to expect. Expect to be blown away!

Building a New Home?

Make it the Smartest House On The Block

Building a new home? Why not make it a smart home? Control4 smart home solutions will make your new home both beautiful and brilliant. With Control4, you can coordinate virtually all the connected devices in your house to create a personalized experience with solutions that maximize your comfort, convenience, entertainment and peace of mind. Do something special for your new home and give it the smart it deserves!

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WHAT WE DO

ALL DIGITAL is a full service custom integration company. We specialize in designing and installing a full range of electronic systems including automation and control, home cinemas, lighting controls, multi-room audio and video, networking, smart racks, media rooms, and integration for your home or business.