What is Control4?
For decades futurists have been promising that someday our homes would have a mind of their own that we could interact with through voice commands. Well, that day is finally here.
The number and quality of smart home systems is growing by leaps and bounds with all major technology companies staking a claim to the smart home market to some degree. Control4 is one of the most popular of these systems, but what exactly does it mean to be a smart home system? Below we’ll answer the question: “What is Control4?”
The Team at Connect Automation Answer the Question: What is Control4?
Control4 was founded in 2003 by Eric Smith, Will West and Mark Morgan. West and Smith had previous experience with the concept of smart home systems having developed the PHAST system in the late 90s. Start-up funds for Control4 came from a number of sources including Foundation Capital, Signal Peak Ventures and Cisco Systems. Over the past decade, the company has enjoyed robust success and pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy intended to expand their technology footprint.
How Does it Work?
The Control4 system is a kind of technological octopus that provides centralised control over all your various smart home devices. Every aspect of the modern smart home can be easily integrated into the Control4 system including lights, security cameras, doors, windows, blinds, climate control, entertainment devices, garage doors, lawn sprinklers, external lighting, kitchen appliances and more. There are literally thousands of smart devices that can quickly and easily be integrated with the Control4 system.
Homeowners interact with the system through a variety of access vectors. That may include the TV or a wall console with a touch screen. The Control4 app enables total control over every aspect of the system from your mobile device. The GUI can be customised to reflect the user’s preferences with the ability to create shortcuts to oft-used features. That GUI will be consistent regardless of which access device you are using.
The bottom line is that Control4 provides you with total control over every component of your smart home no matter where you are in the world via a few taps on your smartphone screen. The interface is intuitive and attractive and software updates can be easily installed to ensure your system is always up to date. What could be more convenient than that?
Not Just Futuristic, Future Proof
So many high-tech devices are obsolete before the ink dries on the receipt that it might give you pause about whether or not you should bother installing the Control4 system in your home. Fortunately, the Control4 system is not this year’s 486 PC but is instead designed to allow virtually unlimited expansion, with software that can be easily updated to reflect the latest and greatest functionalities.
Who Installs Control4 Systems?
Control4 distribute their smart home system through a network of nearly 6,000 authorised dealers and installers. Those installers are rigorously trained by company representatives and only certified if they have proven their comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of the Control4 system.
Connect Automation is one such authorised installer. We have years of experience installing Control4 systems in homes and businesses and are expert at customising the system to meet the specific requirements of the customer.
Can I Install Control4 Myself?
In theory, there is nothing preventing you from installing the Control4 system yourself, but here's the thing: it takes many long hours of study and real-world practice to master the intricacies of the Control4 system. This level of expertise that all authorised installers share is not something that can be acquired through osmosis by a DIYer, regardless of how capable they might otherwise be.
In the end, a DIY install is a recipe for disappointment. More likely than not you will never enjoy the full spectrum of features you would have at your command if the system were professionally installed. It's really that simple.
Get in Touch With Connect Automation
The Control4 system enables you to centralise control of all the various components of your smart home. But in order to get the most from this incredible system, you will need to ensure it is professionally installed. Connect Automation are certified distributors and installers of the Control4 system. Get in touch today to learn more or to arrange a consultation.