According to a SmarterHQ survey there is a neat split between the two big smart assistants-- 44.4% of respondents own an Amazon Alexa device, while 43.7% own a Google Home product. The rest (11.9%) use the Apple HomePod.

The survey covers the omnichannel shopping habits of 1000 adults in the US. It shows consumers are increasingly distracted as they hop from channel to channel, and smart assistants only add to the issue. As a result, it is increasingly difficult to retain customer loyalty, even as brick-and-mortar stores remain the most popular place to shop.

“Consumers view all the channels they shop on-- online, in-store, through social media, or via assistant home devices-- as a single point-of-contact with a brand, yet many retailers still treat these channels as disparate systems that aren’t connected,” SmarterHQ says. “This puts pressure on marketers to make the brand experience a consistent one, no matter the channel. Without a marketing strategy that includes customer identity resolution, brands risk losing buyers to the more targeted and personalised campaigns of their competitors.”

CEDIA makes it easier for members to obtain an ECS Home Technology Integrator card as it extends availability to CEDIA Network and Designer qualifications as a recognised related discipline.

Previously installers could only apply for an ECS card if they had a current Technical Certification.

“An ECS card is essential for anyone working in our industry for many reasons” CEDIA says. “It not only confirms that the cardholder meets the required level of health and safety awareness, but it also displays their industry qualification.  The card is also a valid identification for gaining access to a construction site or customers’ property. By expanding the card to cover the Networking and Designer certifications, we are hoping to facilitate site access to more industry professionals and further raise the public profile of CEDIA certifications.”

Control4 joins forces with Simply Reliable to "facilitate efficiencies and productivity" for installers-- Simply Reliable software allows installers to generate and share proposals, collect deposits and create accurate installation drawings in minutes, not days.

Simply Reliable (SRi) smartOFFICE is tailored for the custom install industry. It offers simple proposal generation and approval with e-commerce for client payment collection, project management, logistic support and business intelligence. Combined with designMACHINE, Control4 dealers using the SRi Ci4C4 Control Integration process can automatically create wiring diagrams, floor plans and cable schedules, and it promises to get 2 days of work done in 23 minutes.

CEDIA reveals the results of its 2017 survey looking into the trends and services of the UK home technology market-- one showing the industry anticipates healthy annual growth in 2018 turnover.

Conducted in H2 2017 together with Futuresource, the CEDIA survey aims to conduct comprehensive research into the UK professional smart home market. It involved both members and non-members, and consisted of 76 questions covering business functions, installation types, equipment choices, workforce size and the areas installers consider most important for their businesses.

“We are pleased to announce the results of our research project,” CEDIA EMEA says. “This extensive survey provides the industry with strong comparative data and has helped to identify vital market trends and offer a greater understanding of the UK smart home market.  The findings for 2016–2017 show that our industry is extremely prosperous, as well as providing insight into future changes and likely developments moving forward.”