As we forge our way toward the new millennium, the demand for automated products, such as smart appliances, and energy management systems, in the home and business has empowered an industry. Looking at some of the key factors will shed light on how this phenomenon has evolved and where it may lead us. An understanding of the constantly-changing dynamics of the industry is paramount. Contributing factors such as digital convergence, deregulation, and creation of the CEBus standard protocol have propelled the home and building automation industry forward. Looking at each variable separately from the perspective of a leading industry engineering company, Diablo Research Company, should provide some clarity to this turn of events.
Digital convergence is a powerful player in the automation industry and the world.
Convergence of media, telecommunications, and information and control technology industries has mandated a reassessment of the ways in which entertainment and information content are produced, distributed, manipulated, and used. In turn, this has driven both rethinking and repositioning of the players in the home and building automation arena. More exposure, larger markets, and major corporate interest increases competition, lowers prices, and removes home and building automation from the exclusivity of the affluent. Utility and telecommunications deregulation, referred to by some as reregulation, is also a key factor in the propulsion of home and building automation to new heights. Deregulation provides incentive for both providers and consumers.