As each year goes by it seems that more things in our homes and offices are “going online.” The Internet of Things (IoT) has gone from catchphrase to reality as we get used to asking voice assistants to turn on our favorite music or check in on our doorbell cam from work.
And while smart devices can be fun, they also are improving efficiency, helping us save time, and improving collaboration and sharing across the country.
Our team at Pro Tech Guy has had a front row seat to the evolution of smart technologies, helping our clients make the most of new innovations like smart home security systems and intelligent climate control.
We pride ourselves on expert, responsive, and secure home and office IT support that doesn’t just fix problems, but explores solutions.
So, which smart home and office technologies should you be looking at? Which ones can help you save time and increase productivity? We’ve got our seven favorites next, which have been making a huge impact.
The Best IoT Technologies to Make Your Life Easier
There are several reasons to upgrade to smart gadgets at work or home, but the main reason people use them is to save time.
57% of Americans say smart products save them about 30 minutes per day.
About 47% of Millennials already own an IoT device at home and that number is growing steadily.
Offices are also quickly adopting smart devices to streamline operations and improve control over multiple building functions. The global smart office market is expected to more than double between 2017 and 2024, from 21.2 billion to 49.7 billion.
Here are the top trending smart technologies that are quickly becoming mainstays in homes and offices around the world.
Smart Security Cameras & Doorbell Cams
There used to be a time when a closed-circuit security system was hardwired to a recording device and it all had to be accessed on-premise. But with the advent of “the cloud” and smart devices, security cameras have not only become easier to access, they’ve also gotten smaller and more multi-purpose.
Smart doorbells, baby monitors, and other types of security cameras can allow you to tap into them from any mobile device to keep an eye on things. They also have the ability to record in much higher quality than the devices used decades ago and have the added functionality of two-way communication.
Smart Locks
Internet enabled smart locks make securing property much easier for many businesses. Now, instead of having to issue keys, then change locks if an employee leaves without turning theirs in, locks can be programmed to allow or revoke entry to anyone with a few keystrokes.
Many hours of record keeping and trying to keep up with physical keys have been replaced by a much more efficient computerized system. And smart locks can be built-in, such as on an entry door, or used as needed like a padlock.
Smart Thermostats & Sensors
Smart thermostats such as Nest allow you to automatically adjust your thermostat when you’re home or away for comfort and help save energy by adjusting temperature for occupancy.
Offices using smart sensor technology can have a system that automatically knows when a room is empty and how often it’s used and adjust the heating or A/C accordingly to lower energy costs.
They also have to ability to send you alerts when your room temperature is higher or lower than your “warning setting” so you don’t end up with unexpected expenses.
Smart Video Systems
The days of spending hours just trying to get a multi-person video conference set up are gone. As technology has evolved so has our ability to bring people together virtually from around the world.
Offices are using smart TVs that connect to VoIP phone systems and cloud-based smart whiteboards for a fully interactive meeting experience.
One of the trending gadgets for homes right now is the new Portal by Facebook which adds a whole new dimension to video calls with a monitor that tracks your movements and rotates to keep you in the picture.
Smart Lighting
Another energy saving IoT technology are computer-controlled lighting systems that can turn lights off automatically when a room is unoccupied. Another feature is the ability to be programmed with different colors so you could have a light turn red, for example, when your front door security camera senses someone standing out front.
Voice Assistants
Voice assistants, which were first brought to us by Apple’s Siri, have now become a common feature in many homes through the Amazon Echo, Google Home, and more.
They’re integrated to work with multiple other smart devices to give you a central control from which you can tell your smart coffee maker to brew a new pot or turn your thermostat down a few degrees.
Automated Reception
An evolution of the smart assistant is built into a smart device that’s used as a virtual reception desk, which can help visitors with directions or allow them to call up to a specific office to announce their arrival. These are being used to help take some of the workload off the reception desk by handling the most common directional questions with an AI assistant.
Ensure Your Smart Tech is Set Up Right!
Pro Tech Guy can help you set up your new smart products to ensure they’re optimized, secure, and connected just the way you want. Security is key when you’re introducing new internet-connected devices into your home or office and we’ll make sure they’re properly protected.
Contact us today for a smart tech set up at 508-364-8189 or reach out online.