THE ADVANTAGE OF TOUCHLESS SUPPORT

For the past year, we've been testing a new technology that allows us to detect and fix system issues that may arise with the smart systems in your home - all from our office, and often before you even know there’s a problem. This includes automatic software and firmware updates, without having to schedule a visit to your home or even needing to call you. Your system just magically works at its peak performance without being touched!

We are launching this service – called AVE Care - to all new clients and existing clients in the very near future. As part of this new service, you will be able to choose the level of support (called a service tier) that is best for you, which can include periodic on-site visits that go beyond touchless support. Stay tuned to future AV Enthusiast newsletters for more information!

A BASIC OVERVIEW OF HOW A SMART HOME WORKS

Since your Crestron Smart Home is an integration of various sub-systems that must function together perfectly as one body, it’s crucial to ensure that communications across your home network are never interrupted, that all software packages are kept updated, and that all devices involved are kept clean, dry, and free of any type of obstruction.

Let’s explore the analogy of the human body to your Smart Home. In order for your body to function at a high level, it has needs that must be met on a daily basis. First and foremost, it needs fuel in the form of food and water. Similarly, your Smart Home must first have a clean and reliable source of power for it to operate optimally. Although the supply and maintenance of power coming into your home is the responsibility of the local power company, most Smart Homes have a back-up generator and/or UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) devices that could benefit from periodic maintenance checks.

The next thing that the human body needs to survive and thrive is a well-developed brain and nervous system. In your Smart Home, the brain is the Central Processor, and the nervous system is your Home Network. If either of these crucial elements is not properly programmed or does not receive periodic software updates, none of the Smart Devices in your home are going to operate properly.

Continuing with that analogy, the normal human body has eyes to see, ears to hear, a mouth to speak, and muscles (paired with electrical impulses) to allow it to move, all as commanded by the brain. In addition, the brain receives constant feedback from the organs that perform these functions, as well as from many other organs involved in other functions that are necessary to keep us living day in and day out. Basically, it’s the same thing with your Smart Home. In order to keep it “living” day in and day out there must be constant and perfect communication between the Central Processor and its eyes (cameras), ears (microphones), mouth (speakers), and muscles (the electro-mechanical guts of smart devices that move, such as in a robotic vacuum cleaner or a smart dishwasher). If you use a voice-control system, such as Josh.ai, your Smart Home also seems to take on a personality, providing another comparison to the human body.

It's fair to say that most Smart Home owners want their home to make life easier for them, rather than more complicated. However, it’s a fact that a Smart Home is complex technology that must be properly maintained in order for that to happen. Our upcoming AVE Care service will take care of it all.

To learn more about AVE Care, please call our office at 256.882.5081 to schedule a consultation with our Lead Integrator, Steven Douglas.

Our showroom is located at 514 Madison Street in Huntsville, Alabama, and is open to the public Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM.