Smart Home Installation

Helping Hands Living Solutions Smart Home Installation

Smart Home Assess and Plan

Smart Home Wi-Fi Integration

• Identify existing Wi-Fi and devices connected – Many home Wi-Fi solutions are based on the equipment provided by your service provider.  We will want to look at this network to confirm that it is on current software/firmware, as well as evaluate its coverage area.  Our recommendation may be to provide a better Wi-Fi solution based on its age, capability, and security.  Many times we can start with what already exists, discuss with you any concerns we have, and then begin building out your network with a clear expectation of any issues that may arise based on your existing Wi-Fi network.
• Check current devices that may be Smart Home enabled – Smart Home is being built into many of the new items already in your home.  Almost all new TV’s are built as Smart Home enabled devices.  Kitchen appliances, water heaters, heating and cooling units, garage door openers; really anything that has been purchased in the past 5 years may be Smart Home enabled.  We will want to discuss with you how these existing devices can be enabled as part of your Smart Home solution.
• Choose your Smart Home Control system (Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit) – This is a personal preference, Helping Hands Living Solutions is capable of working in any Smart Home environment.  You may not even realize it, but you may have already chosen.  Amazon has purchased Ring, so if you already have a Ring doorbell it would make sense to have an Alexa controlled Smart Home.  Nest is now in the Google family, so if you have a Nest thermostat, a Google Home solution may be best for you.
• Matter Hub Solution – The future of Smart Home is going to see Matter doing more and more of the work that was running on the Wi-Fi network.  This comes with multiple advantages, but will require a hub to connect the various Matter devices.  After much research and testing, our recommendation is to utilize Thread (transport layer) and Matter (application layer) using our current chosen Matter Hubs from Aqara.
• Determine devices needed to complete solutions – The list of Smart Home devices is constantly expanding.  At Helping Hands Living Solutions, we are constantly monitoring and testing new devices.  When we start putting the list of devices together, we are going to be focused on end results.  The devices are the triggers and actionable devices that make the home automation work.  Custom routines will be written to utilize the various devices to complete the Smart Home tasks you wish to accomplish.

Smart Home Installation, Discovery, and Configuration

• Physically install devices – Installation of all devices will be according to manufacturer specifications.  We will optimize locations for various sensors, as well as ensure we have necessary power (if needed), as well as stable network connectivity.
• Download necessary apps to smart phones, tablets, & laptops – These are the applications where the Smart Home devices are identified, named, and routines & scenes are built, and devices are managed and maintained.
• Name (label) and connect devices to Hub(s), test and confirm functionality – We will work with you to build a naming convention that works with your solution and has a standard format for future expansion.  The devices will be connected to various hubs and control devices once identified and functionality will be confirmed for each device.

Smart Home Customization, Training, and Maintenance

• Program routines and scenarios – Using sensors, devices, and other ‘trigger’ devices, we can build the routines for basic ‘if’ ‘then’ logic to allow triggers to automate actions, such as sending an alert or activating a Smart Home enabled device.
• Set up devices to receive alerts – when the applications are loaded on your phone or other device, you will have the ability to remotely monitor the ‘trigger’ and automations remotely.  This will also allow things such as a remote camera feed, or the ability to communicate through certain devices.
• Train users - The homeowner, family, and caregiver(s) need to understand the Smart Home solutions and how they can utilize the access and monitoring of the Smart Home Solution.  Helping Hands Living Solutions will schedule time to work with the various users of the Smart Home solution to ensure they are at first comfortable with the solution, and later how to customize for their best use.

Smart Home Security and Maintenance

• Strong Passwords (2FA) – Helping Hands Living Solutions will start by changing default passwords to strong unique ones and enabling Two-factor Authentication (2FA) on management and control functions.
• Wi-Fi Network management – Depending on your Wi-Fi network capabilities and the amount of devices on the Wi-Fi network, we may recommend isolating all Smart Home devices and sensors on a separate guest network inside your Wi-Fi plan.  Smart Home solutions normally utilize the 2.4GHz radios of your Wi-Fi network.  We may also be able to unload that portion of the network by moving devices that are capable to connect to the Wi-Fi network on the 5GHz and 6GHz frequency bands.
• Design on-going maintenance service for firmware updates, battery charging, and solution upgrades – This goes back to the Helping Hands Living Solutions vision statement, ‘Vision – Grow our family of customers, and as they age through various stages of life; be prepared to provide knowledge and solutions relevant to the changing needs.’  We are here to support the solutions we deploy, we will work directly with you to determine how much you are comfortable self-supporting, and then give you an estimate for any necessary items you wish for us to maintain.  Or, just call us when you need help, and we will always support you as best we can.