Mark Wray - Smarta Technology

Smarta Technology, a Cardiff based start up business has been rewarded for its significant innovations over the last 12 months by winning the prestigious South Wales Chamber Of Commerce Awards for “Most Promising Growth Business” and “Application of Technology” Awards.

The business which has grown dramatically over the past year was recognised by an experienced judging panel for not only delivering an outstanding quality of service but also for providing an environmentally sustainable operation. The award winners were announced at a glamorous black tie event at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on Wednesday the 1st of February.

Mark Wray, Managing Director of Smarta Technology said “Winning these awards have been a huge achievement for our growing team. Its great to see the positive results that can be achieved when everyone comes together and works hard. We have bold ambitions to continue our recent growth through expanding our operation to new areas of the UK”

The company which operates across Wales and the West Country provides a range of home automation services including Lighting Control, Heating Control and Home Cinema Installations and has bold ambitions to become the UK’s largest Smart Home Installer by 2015.

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Android@Home

Google has this month taken a giant leap into the world of home automation with the launch of its innovative Android@Home software system.

Android @ Home will provide a platform for a diverse range of new open source applications to sync lighting, heating, security and home cinema devices using Android Mobile Phone and Tablets. The Android @ Home system will appeal to many software application developers whom are looking to break into the industry as Androids Software will provide a steady foundation to launch innovative programs to enhance and control devices around the home.

During a riveting presentation by the Google development team, there were suggestions that the new Android@Home system could set new standards within the home automation industry by enabling lights to turn on and off based on calendar events in the year and also enable greater communication between other different devices around the home. There was even the outrageous suggestion that Android could help with daily chores around the house, controlling washing machines, dishwashers and more!

The first sight of a remarkable demo of the Android-powered “Tungsten” device hub was also released to the media. Using RFID embedded into CD cases the device was able to detect the CD and add it to your library. Another touch and it started automatically demonstrating outstanding potential for developers in the future.

Many would argue that this level of control is currently available within the home automation marketplace. Leading home automation software systems like Control4 can already enable users to carry a tablet device around the house and switch off lights or access multiple forms of media, whether its images, video or music from a central media hub. But it appears Google is strategically placed to bring a greater level of synergy between devices in the home and are actively creating a smart home for all.

Android @Home is without doubt an innovative starting block for Google to appeal to the mass homeowner marketplace with this home automation product. But with established products already in the marketplace, it will be interesting to see the level of control and functionality created over coming months.

For more information on Home Automation Systems from Control4 please visit our website http://www.smartatechnology.co.uk

Dear Reader,

Director Mark Wray demonstrating control4 home automation

This month I would like to provide an insight into the benefits of home automation when it comes to “adding value” to your home.

The current unpredictable and often volatile property market has seen house prices falling by over 50% in some areas of the UK since 2007, stimulating a rise in home improvements from many homeowners whom seek to find new ways to add value to their homes.

Many homeowners would see building a conservatory or renovating the attic as ideal ways to add value, but I would like to suggest an alternative strategy. Through home automation there is an affordable way to not only add value to your home but also help reduce energy costs and enhance the comfort and living experience within your home with a simple click of a button.

Through installing a home automation system, you can “future proof” your home by installing a platform to integrate new technology and devices in the future. For example you may wish to install a lighting control system today, but the technology is then available if you wish to add heating control or multi-room audio at a later date. This has proved increasingly popular with customers looking to add value to their homes as it gives potential buyers a platform to build from in the future.

A standard installation will give home owners the freedom to integrate any home cinema, lighting control, heating control, smart security and multi room audio systems through one user friendly control panel. With all of this wonderful technology controlled using popular devices like an iPhone or iPad.

Installing a basic home automation system has become increasingly popular with property developers as demand for home automation has become the latest “must have” for any new build developments. This growth in popularity has been aided by smart technology becoming more affordable and accessible than ever before, with a basic home automation installation costing a fraction to what it had cost 5 years ago.

With energy reduction in the minds of many green pioneers, home automation can also provide carbon reduction and money saving benefits. For example heating and lighting control systems can save the average household up to 25% on their energy bills each year through monitoring and controlling temperature during the day and assuring lights are not left on unnecessarily.

Through using control4 home automation software to enable hardware synchronization, there are few limits to what can be achieved within your home or place of work. Whether it’s monitoring the temperature over summer months, dimming lights, checking your security cameras with your iPhone or even generating electricity through solar panel systems. Home Automation really can “bring your home to life” while also significantly enhancing its quality to a potential buyer.

With home automation being recognised now as more than just a “gadget” or “man toy” but instead as a cost saver, security necessity or even recognised as the sustainable future for housing – I believe you will generate far better added value for your money from installing a home automation system over other home development propositions.

So if you are looking to add value to your home or would like to bring your home to life? Why not give us a call for a free quotation on 0845 643 0762 or visit http://www.smartatechnology.co.uk

I’m renovating an old farmhouse in Gloucestershire and I would like to know at what stage in the development I should start planning the installations of a home automation system?

An interesting question, having worked with architects over the past 12 months both on new build and renovated property its becoming apparent that the sooner we get involved the smoother projects seem to run. As any project manager will tell you, if everyone is working together from the start there is less chance of any potential “hiccups” occurring.

Over recent months Smarta Technology have acted as project managers on both domestic and commercial projects where our experience within the industry has helped formulate realistic structures plans moving projects forward for our customers. If you have a large project which requires management of a range of different suppliers we would be more than happy to help in this capacity of required.

Do you have a question about home automation? Tweet Us!

Got any questions about home automaton, drop us a line at 0845 643 0762 or follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/smartatech

A welsh home automation specialist has today claimed that a new wave of digital

Mark Wray - Smarta Technology

gadgets around the home is having a significant impact on the way in which political parties engage with the voting public.

On the eve of the Welsh Assembly Election, Mark Wray managing director of Smarta Technology said:

“The growth in internet ready televisions, smartphones and tablet devices has brought social media away from the study or bedroom and into the living rooms of households across the country. When installing home automation systems nearly every component can now communicate directly with the Internet, whether it’s a touch screen control panel, games console or an Internet ready television, which is transforming the way in which political parties communication messages into your home.”

With an estimated 1 in 5 people in the UK now owning a smart mobile phone and with over 2 billion people worldwide actively online at any one point, political parties have began to embrace social media marketing as part of political campaigns.

The recent “Yes For Wales” campaign using viral marketing on social media websites like Facebook and Twitter, to appeal to younger voters. Mr. Wray emphasised that this is just the beginning of a long-term trend.

“With basic home automation being pre installed into many new build houses, its evident that this will significantly transformation the way in which social media is accessed around the home. Marketers will have the tools to segment markets into different groups including age, sex and social classes. From a political prospective this will help communicate specific messages to the right target audience and with the growing App culture there appears to be exciting times ahead for politics.”

Although the rise in accessible social media at home is likely to encourage more young people to get involved with politics in the future, social media can also be a communication tool that can significantly damage a reputation of an individual or party. With the recent case of politician Colin Elsbury whom was instructed to pay out £53,000 to town councilor Eddie Talbot after he wrongfully tweeted his rival had been thrown out of a polling station last June, identifying that a miss communication on twitter can result in significant consequences.

Mr Wray continued “Its important for political parties to consider social media marketing as if they were talking directly to the public. A comment online can be received by voters within seconds from devices around the home and if inaccurate or offensive it’s very difficult to rectify.”

A leading provider of smart home and Control4 automation systems, Smarta Technology aim’s to become the UK’s largest installers of home automation technology by 2015.

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http://www.smartatechnology.co.uk

Dear Reader

Licensed supplier of Control4 home automation

This month I would like to touch upon the exciting ways in which mobile phone technology is impacting home automation and smart home systems.

With an estimated 1 in 5 people in the UK now a proud owner of a Smartphone and with the eminent launch of the iPad2 this month, there is no escaping the fact that mobile devices now have a major influence on social culture in the home.

This growth in digital mobile technology has lead to smart electronics playing a central role in not our daily lives but it can now be used as a key component in home automation systems. But how do we get all of this wonderful technology to work together? Control4 has the mastermind solution.

Control4 makes it possible for virtually any appliance or device in your home to intelligently communicate with another. From locks to lights, doors to drapes and TVs to security cameras, all can be controlled with a click of a button from anywhere in the world!

It’s not uncommon for the typical home to have a remote control for pretty much everything! Your TV, DVD, Games Console, Stereo, Bluray Player, Blinds and Sky Box all come with their own remote controls, but with Control4 all of your household devices can be controlled on one “master remote” or through user-friendly hardware including an iPhone or an iPad.

With control4 it’s easy to create the perfect movie ambiance in one touch, tell your thermostat what to do from Thailand, manage music in multiple rooms and even send a text message to your phone when your children come home from school. Control4 gives you flexible solutions to design the home automation system of your dreams on a very real budget

Smarta Technology believe that life’s better when everything works together, this is why all of our home automation installations are integrated with the control4 system, to make life easier for you.

As a licensed partner of Control4 home automation systems, Smarta Technology have the capacity to install anything from a one off home cinema system to a complete automated home using control4.

If you would like to know more information about Control4 please visit http://www.smartatechnology.co.uk

Digital technology around the home to reshape political campaigns of the future.

Control 4 - The easy way to operate your home

A welsh home automation specialist has today claimed that a new wave of digital gadgets around the home is having a significant impact on the way in which political parties engage with the voting public.

On the dawn of the welsh referendum this May, Mark Wray managing director of Smarta Technology said:

“The growth in internet ready televisions, smartphones and tablet devices has brought social media away from the study or bedroom and into the living rooms of households across the country. When installing home automation systems nearly every component can now communicate directly with the Internet, whether it’s a touch screen control panel, games console or an Internet ready television, which is transforming the way in which political parties communication messages into your home.”

With an estimated 1 in 5 people in the UK now owning a smart mobile phone and with over 2 billion people worldwide actively online at any one point, political parties have began to embrace social media marketing as part of political campaigns.

The recent “Yes For Wales” campaign using viral marketing on social media websites to appeal to younger voters. Mr Wray emphasized that this is just the beginning of a long-term trend:

“With basic home automation being pre installed into many new build houses, its evident that this will significantly transformation the way in which social media is accessed from home. This will enable marketers to segment markets into different groups including age, sex and social classes. From a political prospective this will help market specific messages to the right target audience and with the growing App culture there appears to be exciting times ahead for politics.”

Although the rise in accessible social media at home is likely to encourage more young people to get involved with politics in the future, social media can also be a communication tool that can significantly damage a reputation of an individual or party. With the recent case of politician Colin Elsbury whom was instructed to pay out £53,000 to town councilor Eddie Talbot after he wrongfully tweeted his rival had been thrown out of a polling station last June. Proving that a miss communication on twitter can result in significant consequences.

A leading provider of smart home systems, Smarta Technology aim’s to become the UK’s largest installers of home automation technology by 2015.

For more information about social media in a smart home please visit http://www.smartatechnology.co.uk

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Words: 405

Written by: Gerwyn Holmes, CMS Marketing Services

Approved by: Mark Wray, Managing Director of Smarta Technology

Image: Mark Wray Caption: Mark Wray demonstrating social media in the home.

Notes to editor

Smarta Technology

Smarta Technology are a home automation specialist based in Cardiff  providing a national smart home installation service including lighting control, home cinema, heating control, security and office automation systems. For further information please visit http://www.smartatechnology.co.uk

Yes for Wales Campaign http://www.yesforwales.com/site/

“Our team are split on this one!  Some would argue that the iPhone4, due to its mobility outside of

iPad with Control4 Home Automation System

the home, has a superior advantage of the iPad due to its portability and day to day function as a mobile device. But with the iPad’s superior screen size and graphical power it’s never been easier to control your home with a few clicks of a button. With the pending launch of the Ipad2 this ease and speed of use will only improve further when using home automation control software like Control4.

Overall we would say both in partnership will offer the best possible functionality for your home, but if you had to pick one, the iPad just steals the crown due to its high resolution and larger screen. But with rumours of the iPhone 5 on the horizon, watch this space.”

Got a question about home automation? Why not ask us on Twitter? Follow us here www.twitter.com/smartatech

iPad with Control4 Home Automation System

This month I would like to touch upon the exciting ways in which mobile phone technology is impacting home automation and smart home systems. With an estimated 1 in 5 people in the UK now a proud owner of a Smartphone and with the eminent launch of the iPad2 this month, there is no escaping the fact that mobile devices now have a major influence on social culture in the home.

This growth in digital mobile technology has lead to smart electronics playing a central role in not our daily lives but it can now be used as a key component in home automation systems. But how do we get all of this wonderful technology to work together?

Control4 has the mastermind solution. Control4 makes it possible for virtually any appliance or device in your home to intelligently communicate with another. From locks to lights, doors to drapes and TVs to security cameras, all can be controlled with a click of a button from anywhere in the world! It’s not uncommon for the typical home to have a remote control for pretty much everything! Your TV, DVD, Games Console, Stereo, Bluray Player, Blinds and Sky Box all come with their own remote controls, but with Control4 all of your household devices can be controlled on one “master remote” or through user-friendly hardware including an iPhone or an iPad. With control4 it’s easy to create the perfect movie ambiance in one touch, tell your thermostat what to do from Thailand, manage music in multiple rooms and even send a text message to your phone when your children come home from school. Control4 gives you flexible solutions to design the home automation system of your dreams on a very real budget.

Smarta Technology believe that life’s better when everything works together, this is why all of our home automation installations are integrated with the control4 system, to make life easier for you. As a licensed partner of Control4 home automation systems, Smarta Technology have the capacity to install anything from a one off home cinema system to a complete automated home using control4. If you would like to know more information about Control4 please visit http://www.smartatechnology.co.uk

Mark Wray Managing Director – Smarta Technology

The latest member of the Apple “I” revolution, the iPad 2 is scheduled to launched later this month to solidify its dominance of the tablet market.

iPad2 Review

The original iPad has quickly established itself as one of the most commonly used control devices for home automation systems and despite an emergence of alternative tablet devices using android and windows software, there appears no stopping the iPad2 dominance for the foreseeable future.

Although regarded by some sceptics as just a large iPhone or a mobile laptop, there is so much more to the iPad2 than first meets the eye. The tablet has all of the original qualities and more that helped the first iPad create a niche market between touch screen mobile phones and high-end laptops.

The iPad2 is built with the consumer in mind. It’s simple to use, finger-friendly and offers access to a massive selection of apps and games, which can be easily downloaded from the Apple Store. Most users would love the option to turn on Flash in the browser and load external video files easily, but these drawbacks don’t stop us from falling in love with a gadget that provides such a fun, fast and user friendly portal into the Web. The fact that the iPad 2 delivers all this potential in a slimmer, faster package than its predecessor, without losing any of the battery life, which is understood to last around 10 hours before recharging, makes the iPad2 a worthy successor to its predecessor.

With the upcoming wave of Android tablets about to enter the market, the iPad 2 may face some competition to hold onto its supreme market dominance. But despite the android offering dozens of USB ports, HD cameras and widgets which aren’t available on the iPad, it doesn’t guarantee that the Android tablets will be as fun or easier to use than the iPad 2. If you can’t live without a memory-card slot or Flash support then the iPad2 may not be the choice for you, but with most websites now removing flash to accommodate iPhone and iPad users it may only pose a temporary problem for internet and gaming enthusiasts.

Home Automation Perspective of the iPad2

From a home automation perspective, the iPad2 will accelerate loading times for downloadable online media, not to mention enhance the functionality of control systems including Control4. With its user-friendly IOS 4 software, it’s certainly the smart choice for any home automation system and at considerably good value for money.

iPad2 Review: Overall Summary

Overall, the Smarta Technology team can’t wait for the launch of the iPad 2 and for anyone looking for a control panel to function with automated home software like Control4 – look not further as the iPad 2 really is the best solution on the market.