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Custom Automation: 5 Devices You Need to Have

With how technology is evolving, you may have come across devices working on their own. Cars like the Tesla can drive themselves, and fireplace inserts can warm a room by themselves.  Nowadays, you can add a little flavour to the field of automation to get certain results. Basically, you can now tailor automation processes to suit your needs. That is what we call custom automation. 

To help you navigate through this, we have compiled a list of devices that you need in such instances. Here are five devices you should enjoy custom automation features.

  1. August Smart Lock

August Smart Lock is one of the top locks in the market. This spectacular piece of technology comes with numerous features. One of these distinguishing features is the Wi-Fi capability. With this, you can monitor and control this particular lock from anywhere. The August Smart Lock also works with Alexa and Voice Commands. With this, you can just say the word, and the door lock will implement your instructions.

Custom Automation: Here you can configure it so that it locks/unlocks itself. Of course, a certain condition needs to be met before anything happens. An excellent example is setting the time period that it should be left open. Once this specific time has expired, the door locks itself.

2. Philips Hue Smart Lighting

Philips Hue is one device that you should have in your bid for custom automation. But before we get to custom automation, let us talk about one incredible feature. The Philip Hue smart light supports Bluetooth. This comes with various benefits. One of them is the fact that you can control it wirelessly using your smartphone. It also makes the device easy to install.

Custom Automation: Here, you can set the bulb to switch on or off automatically in certain situations. A good example is setting it to switch on when you get home and off when you leave.

3. Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler

Technology experts have made their way into the water sprinkler market. By this, they have devised smart sprinkling devices. An excellent example is the Rachio 3 Smart sprinkler. This easy to install device comes with amazing capabilities. From Goodge Assistant to Nest and Samsung Smart Things, with Rachio 3, you can do so much more.

Custom Automation: Here, custom automation comes into play when creating schedules. You can customize the number of times the sprinkler should supply water to your garden. That is not all; the customisation can also take place in regard to certain weather changes. It all depends on what you want.

4. Sonos One Speaker

Sonos One is one of the best speakers in the market. One thing that makes it a top choice is the fact that it comes with a brilliant sound. Furthermore, Sonos One can also be controlled using one’s voice and smartphone. 

Custom Automation: Here, custom automation is linked to so many things. One phenomenon is the music that plays according to different settings. An example is customising the speaker to play salsa immediately you walk in. 

5. iRobot Roomba i7+

Cleaning has never been easier now with the introduction of the iRobot Roomba i7+ into the market. This smart cleaner comes with an imprint smart mapping feature. With this, the device is able to memorize the layout of the house. This makes clean an easy and quick process after the device finishes memorising. Of course, we cannot forget the dual multi-surface rubber brushes.  These brushes can clean anything without getting tangled up, including pet hair.

Custom Automation: Here, custom automation involves selecting the cleaning schedules. If you would want it to clean twice a day at certain times that is exactly what you will do.

Conclusion

Custom automation is something many people across the globe want nowadays. This is because it makes everything much easier and fun. To enjoy such perks, you should purchase devices with such functionalities. 

How you to choose to customise them after purchase is all on you. Of course, all of this can get a bit confusing. That is why at Technology on Tap, we are here to help. 

If you would like any kind of assistance on technology-related issues, you can call us on (02) 9517 1726.

What is Commercial Automation?

Commercial automation describes various technologies that control different aspects of a building. The concept combines components like lighting, video surveillance, entry systems, temperature, and video into a single system that is easier to manage instead of controlling every aspect individually. The goal of commercial automation is to make a building energy-efficient, secure, and productive. 

At Technology on Tap, commercial automation is in line with our mission to make the latest IT systems accessible to big and small businesses. We will create an action plan to help you take advantage of the concept in ways like: 

Lighting Control

Are the lights in some spaces often left on even when they are not being used? Would you like to harness technology to balance natural and electric light? We understand that lighting contributes towards creating the right ambience for different tasks. The lights in a waiting room, for example, should be warm and inviting while those in workspaces should be bright enough for personnel to work efficiently. 

Offices continually seek energy efficiency, considering that 17% of the overall energy used by offices is attributed to lighting. Reducing light usage will substantially decrease the total energy consumption of your office building. Some solutions include having the lights automatically turn off once people leave a room. Daylight sensors can also determine the amount of natural light and reduce the output of luminaires. 

Climate Control

Commercial buildings depend on cooling and heating systems to ensure employees are comfortable. Climate control systems manage elements like air handlers, heat pumps, boilers, rooftop units, and chillers. 

These systems will help your building adjust for different seasons by controlling elements like temperature. The system will be customised for your office by collecting data on all the metering devices. In addition to installing a manageable system, we will also help cut energy costs. 

Access Control and Surveillance

It has become imperative for businesses to control who gets in their premises in addition to enforcing authorization requirements for sensitive tasks. By installing technologies like biometric fingerprints, smart door locks, and gate control, you can only give access to authorised users. You will also get entry and exit summaries about personnel and visitors. 

Modern systems also dispatch trigger alerts for suspicious activity. Intrusion alarms can, for example, lock some interior doors to protect valuable assets and halt the intruder’s progress.  

HD surveillance cameras come in various types, depending on the needs of your business. You can choose between long-range, covert, CCTV, and others. We will set these cameras strategically around your premises so that you can observe and record real-time events. A simple tap on your mobile phone will reveal video streams of all areas of the office, and you can even monitor your assets. 

Audio and Video Systems

Commercial automation systems can make meetings more productive and delightful. Gone are the moments of fumbling for the right cables to project a presentation.

Is your conference room optimized for business? Does it have the kind of equipment necessary for smooth and seamless video conferencing sessions? We will fortify your conference room with intuitive controls that are compatible with tablets, computers, and phones to ensure your employees are always ready to display their presentations.

An effective commercial automation system should also encompass media control for easy access to video content. Your staff can save time and avoid looking tirelessly for video files and for compatible equipment. With just their phones, they can queue background music and stream videos. 

Integrated Room and Building Control

There are benefits to be accrued from integrating all the aspects of one room in your building. When working in a conference room, for example, a simple touch of a button can control the lights, audio, video, and communications. Instead of manually turning off the lights, you can dim them with your phone or laptop, lower the blackout shades, and activate audio and video. 

Commercial automation involves a lot of subsystems that need to work together. Systems like lighting, climate, security, and video/audio will work best in harmony with each other. You can thus control all the aspects of your business from a keypad or phone and optimise your office for work. 

Making the Office Environment Better with Commercial Automation

At Technology on Tap, we are invested in the technologies that make it easier for businesses to run their day-to-day processes. With commercial automation concepts, you will be able to control various elements of your building from your phone while making the workplace more comfortable. 

From improved security to operational efficiency, your office will only count the benefits of responsive systems. Perhaps the primary advantage is the increased energy efficiency and the subsequent saved costs. 

According to Energystar.gov, businesses waste about 30% on yearly energy averages, an amount that can be drastically reduced with the right systems. 

So, call us today through our contact number 0295 171 726

5 Benefits of Hiring IT Management Services

IT is one of the ways businesses can have a competitive edge in today’s increasingly dynamic market. For small and mid-sized organisations, hiring IT departments can become impractical, mainly because of the associated high costs. Managed IT Services Providers offer a means for businesses to manage IT-related costs while getting access to the latest technologies. 

A 2016 study by CompTIA projected that the managed IT services project will grow to $193 billion in 2020, which means that more and more firms are looking externally for IT expertise. 

Some of the benefits of hiring  IT management services include: 

  • Reduce and Control IT Costs

Managed IT providers generally offer monthly subscriptions, which will help a company budget on its IT needs. It is expensive to hire and train in-house IT departments and specialised IT personnel demand high salaries that may stretch the resources of a small firm. With managed providers, you get IT support and maintenance at an invariable monthly fee. 

Businesses can also eliminate unforeseen IT costs due to issues with systems like ERP and disaster recovery. IT consultants will detect any vulnerabilities in your system and fix them to avoid unexpected challenges. 

The reduction of downtime will boost your firm’s productivity since your systems will be up and running all the time. Improved customer satisfaction will subsequently result in increased sales and profits. 

  • Access to IT Experts

Our IT team at Technology on Tap is not only experienced but well-versed with current technological trends. Our employees specialise across many areas, meaning that all your IT needs will be satisfactorily catered for. We are also always in touch with our industry partners to be ahead of advancements. 

Security is one area that companies should not overlook. Different malware forms are continually being created to target various vulnerabilities in IT systems. You will need to be one step ahead of cyber-attackers to protect your firm’s IT integrity. 

The costs of hiring specialised personnel are prohibitive for many companies. Added to the costs of hiring these employees, your limited resources may be unable to keep up. 

  • Round-the-clock Availability

Every business will benefit immensely from reliable IT operations. You can say goodbye to frustrating downtimes, thanks to 24/7 support, monitoring, and maintenance of IT systems. 

We will resolve issues before they become problems and ensure that users have a pleasant experience. By installing preventative measures, your systems will run smoothly throughout. 

  • Boost Productivity

A survey done by Robert Half Technology showed that US workers spend 22 minutes a day dealing with IT issues, which adds up to two workweeks a year. As the statistics show, workers are caught up trying to fix problems they may not even understand if they do not work in the IT department. By laying out efficient IT infrastructure, your employees will concentrate on their respective roles. 

Outsourcing IT services help businesses concentrate on their core business. The improved downtime will promote seamless communication with suppliers and consumers. IT systems are also useful in managing a lot of data so that no time is wasted when looking for particular information.

  • Be Competitive

By gaining access to the current technological advancements, your company can earn a competitive edge in its industry. Systems like ERP and CRM help to streamline organisational processes and improve customer satisfaction. You can also leverage technology to offer services that your competitors are not offering. 

IT costs can lock out small businesses from the benefits of reliable IT resources. Big companies typically have the budget to afford a highly-specialised IT department. Managed services make it easier for smaller firms to access similar technologies but at a more manageable cost. 

  • Security and Compliance

IT is a pretty dynamic field, and regulatory authorities have to keep drafting laws and regulations to promote best practices. Take the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) instituted by the EU in 2018, for example, that increased inspection of the capabilities of the data security infrastructure of multinationals. 

The US and other European nations have instituted their IT regulations, and it is best to be on top of these developments. A provider that is well-versed with aspects like PCI Compliance Standards will ensure IT compliance. 

Our IT Management Services is the Right Fit for Your Business 

If you have been discouraged by the costs of hiring and retaining an IT department, an external consultant might be the right for you. At Technology on Tap, we provide 24/7 IT support and maintenance and customise an IT model that will make your firm more efficient. Just call us (02) 9517 1726 and we will make it happen.

Top 5 Benefits of Home Automation

Technological advancements have made human lives easier which helps them to lead their fast-paced lives with utmost efficiency. As technology is being used in the offices and communication, it has also become common use even in homes, for instance, door locks control, temperature and lighting control, drawing window curtains, controlling appliances and many others. 

House automation was considered a luxury in the past, with only a few people affording to automate their houses. However, as smartphones and tablets become gradually more common and affordable, home automation is also becoming popular, easier to use and more affordable. Home automation is constructing computerization for a house called a smart home. 

Below are the top five benefits why you should install house automation in your home.

  1. Enhances security

Every human being has a fear that someone will try to break into their houses and steal goods and investments that they have worked hard to earn. However, automated door locks allow you to lock your doors at the click of a button and enjoy the day without worrying if you locked the door or not. 

In case you forget to lock the house, house automation technology allows you to lock your doors even when you are miles away from the house. In addition, you are able to monitor when someone tries to open the doors without your consent. This helps you to monitor who is entering your house when you are not around. 

2. Adds safety

There are a number of times houses have caught fire in the absence of the owner. To avoid such tragedies, install house automation to add a sense of safety in your house. This technology allows you to control all your electrical appliances with a click of a button even when you are miles away. 

For instance, you can check if the oven in your house is off, or if your kids switched off the iron box at the comfort of your office. Apart from monitoring your electrical appliances, you are also able to control the lighting in your house as well. 

Not only does controlling your lighting saves you money, but it also enables you to switch on the lights even when you are not in the house. This may make it look like you are home, keeping strangers or thieves away.

3. Saves you money

One of the main advantages of installing house automation in your home is the amount of money it will save you. You will no longer have to pay high electricity bills for lights left on, or other electrical appliances left running in the house through the day. 

You will also save on money spent on gas as you drive back to the house to make sure everything has been switched off or to lock the door. House automation allows you to have control of most of your systems in the house to make sure costs are low.

4. Increases convenience

Imagine having the ability to control and monitor what happens in your house at the click of a button? With your smartphone in hand, you can control and monitor door locks, electrical appliances, thermostat, window curtains and many others at the comfort of your office seat or wherever you are. 

One of the major conveniences that come with house automation is the ability to control your house temperature. You can always be sure you will not walk into a very hot or very cold house after a long day of work.

5. Saves you time

We are living in a very fast-paced world. There are many things on our to-do lists daily and tight deadlines from work our places. House automation on the other hand will save you the many times you drive back home to ensure the house is locked or to switch off appliances. 

While still at work, you can open the doors for your children when they get back home from school. House automation will help you focus on achieving your goals without worrying about the safety of your home. 

As you advance on using technology in other areas of your life, do not forget to include house automation as well. This will help you to monitor and control your house even when you are away at work. 

To have your house automated, contact us Technology on Tap at 02 9517 1726 today for consultation.

The Best Smart Home Devices for 2020

Ever since man discovered technology, there is growth taking place every year. This happens mostly with smart home devices. Manufacturers come up with new things or sharpen the old ones; either way, technology evolves, so do the devices. 2020 is no different. Numerous new smart will be popping out in the market. Here’s a sneak peek of the most anticipated devices coming in 2020. We are also going to highlight what makes them top picks in the market. 

Philips Hue Smart Lighting

When talking about smart homes, people cannot skip past smart lighting. There are a lot of reasons why this tends to click in people’s heads first. One of the reasons is because of the unique functions that come with smart lighting devices. A good example is the ability to adjust the tone, brightness, and colour using your voice.

When speaking of devices that can allow you to do such, Philips Hue Smart lighting is your best bet. This phenomenal piece of technology from Philips Hue has made a name for itself in the industry. Apart from adjustments, it also gives you access to various pre-set scenes. Furthermore, with the Philips Hue, you get access to support for Amazon Echo and Google Home.

Nespresso Expert Coffee Machine

For coffee lovers, here is a device that is going to change your life. The device we are talking about is the Nespresso Expert Coffee Machine. Here is why. One, it delivers quality cups of coffee at the touch of a button. In essence, the machine can be connected to a smart device and instructed to make coffee. That is not all; the Nespresso Expert Coffee machine also lets you know how many pods you have left. It also tells you when you need to clean it.

August Smart Lock 3rd Generation

Sometimes you will work late and get home in the middle of the night. Since your keys are in your bag, you are left fumbling for keys in the dark. Sometimes you have to put keys under doormats for your family members. All of these issues can be frustrating and risky. That is why we have the August Smart Lock 3rd Generation. 

With August Smart Lock, you do not have to carry your keys everywhere. You also do not have to look for them in the dark. This is because you only need a password to open it. You can also grant access to family members, so you do not have to put keys under mats. Most importantly, the device safeguards you and your property. 

Nest Learning Thermostat

This energy star certified thermostat is a top pick when it comes to smart thermostats. Nest Learning Thermostat is a device you should definitely have in your home. Apart from regulating temperature, this particular thermostat comes with advanced features.

One, you can connect the Nest Thermostat to your smartphone. This allows you to make the necessary adjustments from wherever you are. Another important feature is the presence of sensors. The device also comes with sensors to detect whether or not you are in the house. This plays a huge role in saving electricity. This is because the device will not regulate temperature when there is no need to do so.

Ring Video Door Bell 2

You may have come across various regular doorbells, but this 2020 masterpiece is not one of them. The Ring Video Door Bell 2 is more than just a simple doorbell. For one, it comes with a 1080 high definition video camera. This allows you to see who is at the door, whether it is during the day or at night. Another important feature is the ability to be connected to smart devices. This then allows you to get alerts on your phone in case someone rings the bell.

Conclusion

2020 has seen the massive use of technology in residential spaces. This is characterized by numerous people installing smart home devices. Since there are many smart gadgets, the main challenge is choosing the best. If you are going for a smart bell, it would be best if you chose the ring video doorbell 2. 

The Nest thermostat is a top thermostat that you should consider installing. When it comes to smart locks, the august smart lock 3rd generation should be your top pick. Nespresso Expert Coffee machine and Philips Hue are also impeccable pieces of technology. As you install such devices, you would probably need to get rid of the old ones.