Smart Home, Healthy Home

Smart Home, Healthy Home

Today’s Integration of home automation and healthcare is life-changing

It seems we’re just beginning to truly understand the extensive benefits of home automation. For years, we’ve recognized the elegance, convenience, comfort and safety aspects of an integrated home, but we’re learning now that those attributes are just the start. Today’s smart home can aid the disabled, monitor the ill and afford us the opportunity to stay in our south Florida homes longer.

It wasn’t so long ago that baby monitors were introduced. We could breathe a sigh relief while carrying the walkie-talkie-like gadget from room to room. And then…the baby cam hit the market and suddenly we could watch over the tiny ones day and night. Flash forward to today and we can now check in on every room of our home via myriad smart devices anytime and from anywhere. We appreciate the convenience and peace of mind that brings in terms of home security or even keeping watch over our precious pets, but imagine the comfort of being able to watch over an elderly parent.

Automated Home Healthcare

Modern healthcare is finding new, innovative ways to capitalize on our connected homes, allowing people to remain in comfortable, familiar surroundings longer. Automated, simple-to-use devices can remind an elderly person to take their medication or instruct an autistic individual how to prepare a meal.  Caregivers can be alerted when an Alzheimer patient opens a door or when a diabetic’s glucose monitor sounds. For an added measure of security, automated lighting can also be triggered so that, in the event an audible alarm is missed, visual cues will wake the caregiver while lighting the way to their loved one.  Visual prompts can also be life-enhancing for the hearing impaired and elderly.

Voice and “Stress” Control

The recent introduction of google Home and Alexa’s integrated voice control has opened up a whole new world in home healthcare. Individuals that may otherwise be unable to physically or mentally operate a touch panel or keypad can now gain control of appliances, entertainment and security devices with a spoken command, affording them independence.

Home automation and, especially, voice-controlled devices also have a positive impact on our mental health. Multiple medical studies from various academics from Rutgers, Stanford, and University British Columbia have concluded that individuals who feel a greater sense of environmental control demonstrate increased motivation and optimism, and have been shown to have lower risk for psychopathology. That research extends to a homeowner’s ability to be “in control” of their smart home, accessing features that reduce worry and, therefore, stress levels.

The life-saving stories are many and each of us can likely envision a scenario where remote monitoring, automated lighting, cameras, door locks and voice control can make ours and our family’s life easier, healthier and more gratifying. Innovative technologies continue to transform our lives. Home automation, once considered purely a luxury, has become a wonderful, life-changing tool and essential part of our daily lives. Healthcare, along with our homes, just gets smarter and smarter.

Digital Doctors: Home Automation is Redefining Healthcare, Collective Evolution

After Son’s Diabetes Diagnosis, IoT Exec Sees Big Role for Home Automation in Disease Management, CEPro

Health Care in Home Automation Systems with Speech Recognition and Mobile Technology, American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER)

5 ways tech is changing retirement, Ameriprise Advisors

Smart Lighting: A Home Solution with Lots of Health Benefits, Control4 blog

Home Automation Planning guide for Individuals with Autism, Control4

Mental Health Benefits of Owning a Smart Home, CEPro

How Alexa's best skill could be as a home health-care assistant, CNBC

The Technologist

The Emergence of the Technologist

An interesting shift is occurring in integrated technology. In this fast-paced race to digitalization, the role of the technology integrator has transformed once again. As more devices, features, systems, services, apps and appliances exist on the network and integrate or “talk” to one another, the technology integrator is transpiring as the single-source service provider for all things “technology.” Hence, 2017 has seen the residential systems technology integrator, a low-voltage provider specializing in everything from network infrastructure, communications, security, energy management and HVAC to elegant lighting and shade control, home entertainment and fully integrated control systems, emerge as the “Technologist.”

As a Technologist, we design, build, program and service our clients’ connected “smart” homes, ensuring seamless compatibility of systems across the platforms for a simple, intuitive user experience. We make your home safe, comfortable, productive, convenient, entertaining and beautiful. We partner with you, exploring your wants and needs, developing a technology strategy that will grow with you and your family. We stay current on emerging technologies and inform you of your myriad choices. We stand by you through the years, offering valuable service coverage to keep your systems running efficiently, effectively and trouble-free. We make life simpler.

All Digital’s extensive training and years in this evolving field have allowed us to foster valuable partnerships with design professionals and adjacent trades. From inception to implementation, we work with an outstanding team of architects, interior designers, builders, landscape architects, electricians and plumbers, managing all aspects of your home project. We communicate the technical and aesthetic requirements of your connected home and make sure provisions are made for future needs. From the simple to the sophisticated, we strive to be your go-to resource for all things technology, your trusted technology partner, the Technologist.

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

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! 

www.alldigitalonline.com

LiFe Lived Best at Home!!

ALL DIGITAL is a full service electronic systems integration company. We specialize in designing and installing a full range of electronics systems including automation, home theater, lighting control, multi-room audio, networking, smart rack systems, media rooms, and integration for your home or business. Founded in 2004, we have successfully brought technology into client's homes and businesses throughout the region. 

Please contact us for a Free In-Home Consultation today! 

It's time for a Tech-Up!

The transition to fall brings many changes; our Miami Dolphins taking the field, the onslaught of pumpkin-flavored everythings, the hints of a cold wave that may plunge our temps into the 70’s and the slew of marketing messages stuffed into your bills suggesting it’s time to review your policies!  Just like your homeowner’s policy, auto coverage and health insurance are affected by the change in seasons and life events, your home’s technology systems may benefit from an annual assessment too. 

Think about all of the devices connected to your personal “internet of things.” How many of those devices have been added since your network was initially set-up? A network upgrade may yield a remarkable difference in your system’s performance.  And of those new devices, how many were added to your media system? Are you getting optimal image and sound quality? And how are they controlled? Some minor programming tweaks could go a long way in how your family uses and enjoys your home’s technology. And how did you fair through the 2017 hurricane season? Let’s evaluate your home’s surge suppression and battery back-ups.

To Your (System’s) Health!

As a CEDIA professional, we recommend an annual “tech-up”, a comprehensive assessment of your home’s technology systems to ensure the “health” of your system, how happy you are with it and how satisfied you are with what it provides.  We all know how fast time flies and, in “tech” years, that’s amplified even more. If it’s been a year, or 3 or 5 since your system was installed, chances are you’re not taking advantage of all it has to offer.

You’ve got Questions, We’ve got Answers

Let’s set aside an hour to just sit down and talk about how you use your home’s systems. We’ll talk through all of your technology questions; How do I set up Alexa to control my lighting and shades? What can my Apple watch do? Is my media room 4K ready? Can my new gaming console be integrated onto my remote control so I can stream movies? How do I integrate CDs onto a new platform?

There’s nothing we love more than to talk tech! Let’s get all your questions answered….maybe even some you hadn’t thought of! We’ll explore your existing system demands and determine if there are any upgrades available to maximize performance or add features. We can also address anything you’re currently wanting to add or change and develop a strategy for implementing NextGen technologies.

It’s an exciting time in the smart home industry. Systems are truly integrating more elegantly and efficiently than ever before and voice commands are controlling it all. Art and technology are fusing to create innovative, sophisticated forms of concealment and google and Apple continue to influence it all. We’ve got a lot to talk about!

Jot it down!

Like preparing for any valuable appointment, as your technologist we suggest you start of list of things you’d like to discuss during our visit so that we get the full picture of your technology needs. Write down your questions, what you’ve added and what you want to add! 

Your home’s technology is a part of your everyday life.  We appreciate you entrusting us with its care. Please know we’re here to answer your technology questions and help you make the most out of your systems, now and for years to come. Call now and schedule your annual Tech-up! We look forward to reconnecting.

Be sure to check back soon. We’ll discuss optimizing your system’s health through a comprehensive preventative maintenance program that takes the worries out of everything from changing batteries in the smoke detector to checking for firmware updates. Stay tuned!