What's the Difference Between Automation and Integration?

One thing we get asked a lot here at Intelligent Home is “what’s the difference between automation and integration?”. These days everyone is out there showing off their latest ‘automation’ products which at the core are really just devices that can be controlled by an app. Once you end up with a few of these around the house – think Sonos, Philips Hue, Ring, Chromecast, CCTV, Alarm system, Apple TV – what you have is a multitude of apps all over your phone or tablet, each controlling one thing. Really this is no different to the not-so-distant past when you had different remote controls on your coffee table for all your devices – TV, DVD, VCR, Stereo, Foxtel and so on.

Integration is as the name suggests, integrating these multiple services into 1 easy to access and easy to control interface – be it an app or a remote control. Control4 offers a great all-in-one-place interface for controlling your lights, security, audio-visual entertainment, climate control and more all from a remote, a touch screen or a smart phone/tablet.

Give us a call and we can arrange someone to meet with you and discuss your integration options!