Features

Securing your home with automation and smart technology

Friday, February 11th, 2022 00:00 | By
Sydney Sino founder SOS Networks.

Sydney Sino founder SOS Networks, a business that deals with access surveillance and smart computerisation for premises.

Why did you decide to venture into this business?

I travel a lot and spend most of my time in hotels or other accommodation facilities. I have had bad experiences, because of either losing or not returning the physical keys after checking out. At one time, I travelled to Kapenguria in West Pokot county and checked into a hotel.

After four days, I checked out and forgot to hand over the keys. I came to realise this later and I had to bear the consequences.

After having several bad encounters, I asked myself whether there are better solutions for accessing homes, hotels, offices, or any place with a door.

I went online and did some research. This is when I came across the digital door lock solutions, which is a cutting-edge technology mostly used in the west and locally in high-end hotels and offices, but yet to penetrate the local market. After realising that there is a gap, I decided to fill it and that is how SOS Networks was born.

Tell us how technology  is changing the safety of our buildings

Technology has improved the accessibility of spaces, including homes, offices, hotels, or any living or workspace where people have put their valuables or love reside.

Because of technology, people are now able to monitor and control everything from lighting and home security to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning remotely from their smartphones and tablets.

There are also some solutions that come with cameras, which helps to ensure surveillance of entry. It is because of technology that people are nowadays resting assured that their investments, loved ones, and valuables are protected and monitored despite the distance. Our best selling product is digital door locks.

Home automation systems have had a difficult time reaching a wider customer base in Kenya despite Kenyans are tech-savvy, why?

First of all, we need to admit that home automation is a relatively young industry, however, the major disadvantage of smart houses is their presumed complexity.

Not all people are able to operate these systems and that is why some always give up on them if they experience any trouble. Apart from that, most Kenyans don’t know that these systems exist.

Others lack money to invest in the systems or don’t prioritise their home security. Unreliable Internet connectivity is also another problem.

The good thing is that consumers are more inclined to invest in these technologies to improve the functionality of their space.

What are the benefits of investing these systems?

They are here to make our lives better and easier. People should embrace them to improve their security and the security of their loved ones.

Their valuables and investments, which they have worked so hard to acquire will also be protected. For developers, such systems help to increase the value of their properties, as well as make such properties unique from other products in the market.

For hotel owners and Airbnbs, their spaces are likely to experience much higher bookings and return-clients because of the security assurance.

What are some of the hindrances to home automation?

The security of smart homes. This is because every device that’s connected to the internet is a potential target for hackers.

Apart from that, many opponents of smart homes are worried about data privacy. To solve this cyber security is vital.

If Kenyan developers start using them when putting up buildings, this will enable the perforation of these systems to the end-user.

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