What is happening in home automation? It is a hot topic. And Ray Miller is excited about it. He is a self-described Technologist. You know that kid, who was always tinkering with lasers and audio equipment in high school. That was and is Ray. But now he plays with far more expensive toys.
Keep reading below for some fun information on what is happening in audio, video, security, and home automation in the sun-kissed South Florida market.
Acoustic Architects (AA): How did you get into the Consumer Electronics field?
Ray Miller (RM): I pursued Engineering degrees at University, and then went immediately into the audio-video field upon graduation. My hobby became my job. There is nothing better than that. I really like to have fun and my job is fun. I received my first job offer from Motorola. But I went directly into working for AMI Sales. Last year was the 30th anniversary with the company!
AA: What lead you to be a part of the AMI Sales team?
RM: It was my first job out of University. I’ve grown with the company. I got to be a rep for Yamaha which was absolutely a “dream come true.” And now I get to consult with a multitude of innovative companies. It is a privilege to get paid to do my dream job.
AA: What do you appreciate about working with Acoustic Architects?
RM: My relationship with Acoustic Architects goes a long way back. I met Aaron and Spencer early on their career. I had the privilege of training them 20 years ago when they were very young and were just starting out in the field. I consider them very close friends and I am very proud of them. I’ve seen their hard work, dedication, and focus over the years. They have built what is now the premier integration company in Miami.
AA: What is your favorite smart product currently on the market?
RM: I am a big fan of Nest Hello.
AA: Tell us why Nest Hello is so cool.
RM: It is absolutely class-leading technology. It is a video doorbell that includes analytics. The face reading technology recognizes who is at the door and sends you an alert. It’s amazing how something engineered with such high security and information performance is so reachable for the mass population. It is great for families, easy to use, and affordable.
AA: Why are Sony’s smart TVs a great addition to a Home Automation design plan?
RM: Sony’s TVs are for people who love to have the best picture quality and performance. They are really an imaging company. Most content available is captured using Sony equipment which offers a viewing performance closest to what the director intended. Their products also have great cosmetics and blend well into interior designs. They have an excellent Google smart platform, with seamless integration for Andriod and iOS functionality, as well as with automated home systems.
AA: What are some awesome audio brands that fit seamlessly into smart homes?
RM: That depends on the tier. Yamaha and Sony integrate well into automation systems like Savant and Crestron because of IP control capability. They are both great mainstream products.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have Wisdom Audio, which is the Ferrari of audio. It is the choice for the ultraluxury customer. The sound is on-par or exceeds anything available outside a post-dubbing suite where sound is made. The audio performance is the best available for the most varied environments, but what makes it extra special is that it can be hidden in most environments, and is never obtrusive.
AA: What smart technologies are your clients most excited about?
RM: My clients are typically not end-users. They are the Acoustic Architects of the world. Right now, “Remote Management,” the technology for remotely monitoring and diagnosing systems is the hot item. One of the companies worth mentioning is called Domotz, based in Italy. They provide an ultra-secure platform which allows a dealer to look at end-user space in terms of equipment and network. This very advanced technology is a way for the integrator to proactively resolve issues so the customer experience is consistently enjoyable.
AA: How is Home Automation changing the way Consumer Electronics professionals do business?
RM: People used to go out and buy a TV or stereo system. Now they are shopping for the home automation system and everything else is just an accessory. Savant and Crestron are the choices for flawless integration when it comes to the high-end consumer. While Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple home kit provide amazing platforms that allow the masses to enjoy cool automation at modest price points, most just need someone to execute it. The end-user just wants a nice easy experience.
AA: What are your ideas on future trends for smart technologies?
RM: Every day that goes by, technology becomes more mainstream and accessible to a higher percentage of the population. Apple, Amazon, and Google are focused on this for targeting consumers. We will see more sophisticated automation in the coming years from giants with more innovative capabilities as time goes on.
AA: What does this mean for AA?
RM: Their client base will continue to expand because they can create designs at every project tier. Because the excellent design for flawlessly engineered integration into automated systems will still be complicated for the regular person. Acoustic Architects will maximize functionality and decrease complexity for customers when it comes to choosing the right products for their smart homes, and then linking together all the technology. Expertise will continue to be very valuable.
AA: Tell us the future of the South Florida Market.
RM: It is a blessing to be in Miami. Much of the world wants to live here or have a home here. The weather is wonderful. People want to come here, have fun, stay, and buy a second/third home. Things will continue to grow because it is such a fun, dynamic and beautiful city.
Responsive Living, the term coined by Acoustic Architects founders, Aaron Flint and Spencer Hauldren, is the concept of seamlessly enhancing the client’s unique lifestyle using smart home technology. Responsive Living allows you to interact with your space via touch input, voice command, and predictive automation, placing you in full control of your home.
If you would like to learn more about smart home automation, feel free to connect with us. We will be happy to schedule a demo with you.
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