The home automation (HA) industry is currently grappling with the issue of how to raise its profile among consumers. Here's why. The industry's present clientele represents a market that has developed largely through word of mouth promotion. This clientele has come to rely significantly on a patchwork of sources and reference materials such as Internet news groups and various web sites for product information and trouble-shooting guidance. While helpful, this patchwork has also spawned a "trial and error" mentality by consumers attempting to install and integrate HA systems. In other words, consumers are leery about purchasing HA products because their knowledge base is limited, heightening the potential for improper installation and lack of functionality. The consumer isn't likely to purchase additional HA products when his/her initial experience is a negative one. The availability of professional consumer -oriented training and industry-backed documentation would help to alleviate this problem.

Standards organisations such as the Continental Automated Building Association (CABA) can play an important role here. Through consultation with industry, standards organisations provide leadership to raise awareness and promote education through their network of locally-based affiliates. While trade shows and conferences presently address these elements, their focus is centred mainly on industry players and rarely on the consumer. This gap leaves consumers without affordable and accessible venues to obtain HA information.

Another area where standards organisations can assist both industry and consumers is in the development of technology guidelines. Involvement by these organisations would encourage the formation of interoperability, co-existence and connectivity common practises among the vast array of communication protocols and standards. Without these common practises, the industry is potentially entering into a "Beta verses VHS" scenario of incompatibility among RF and power line communication technologies. One is left wondering How consumers are expected to buy-into the industry when the industry doesn't buy-into itself?

By pooling membership resources of standards organisations, the industry can begin accelerating HA education, training and promotion. Through partnerships with manufacturers, educators and industry specialists, collaborative development and co-ordination of HA workshops, lectures, and courses can take place. Special funding initiatives would also help to support the delivery of quality information and training at affordable prices and begin to attract greater consumer interest.