The concept of the smart home is rapidly becoming more mainstream, which means fabricators and installers need to have the products to tap into the demand. Owen Coop, CEO of Carl F Groupco, looks at the opportunities and showcases the solutions.
The concept of the smart home is rapidly becoming more mainstream, which means fabricators and installers need to have the products to tap into the demand. Owen Coop, CEO of Carl F Groupco, looks at the opportunities and showcases the solutions.
It perhaps won’t surprise you to learn that nearly 90% of Britons believe their household could operate more efficiently. What may be more surprising is that nearly half are open to using smart technology to reduce this mental burden.1 And while smart meters, smart TVs and smart switches dominate people’s online searches, there is also a clear and growing interest in smart locking solutions.
For fabricators and installers, the rising demand for connected security presents a valuable upselling opportunity. To capitalise on this market, it is important to offer smart locking options as part of your product range.
At Carl F Groupco, we have long recognised the potential of smart locking solutions. We launched our SmartSecure brand in 2016 to highlight these products and give them the market visibility they deserve, and we have continued to expand the range to meet the growing demand.
Two recent additions to our portfolio showcase what the latest generation of smart security products can offer.
The AK TouchSecure™ smart lock with its 3-Star Cylinder is designed for both new door installations and retrofit projects. It can be fitted in minutes without major hardware modifications.
Its intuitive operation allows for multiple access methods including touch activation, secure keypad entry, key fob access and voice commands via Google Home or Alexa. A manual override ensures access is always available via a traditional key, while the silent operation lends a premium feel.
The AK TouchSecure™ app adds further functionality, including remote locking and unlocking, access status checks and activity logs. Users can also assign temporary, time-
limited access ideal for Airbnb hosts, short-term rental properties or for properties where carers require access. With end-to-end encryption on all access points, users can count on high levels of data security and peace of mind.
We have also added MACO wireless sensors, offering a smart solution for window and door locking integration. These sensors are ready for use right out of the box and are easily installed as a final element of window and door assembly. They can also be retrofitted for homeowners looking to incorporate their windows and doors in a smart home setup.
Importantly, the sensors use Matter, the new open smart home standard that ensures compatibility across different devices and manufacturers. These sensors deliver real-time window and door status updates to a central smart home hub. When combined with other smart devices, they can help improve both home security and energy efficiency too.
These latest two new smart products join other proven performers in our smart range, which includes the Yale SensCheck™ window and door sensors, which remain popular choices for connected home upgrades.
Alongside our homeowner-focused products, we also offer solutions tailored for multi-occupancy buildings, where smart locking has long been valued for enhancing safety and security through advanced features. For example, the FUHR multitronic 881 is a fully motorised, dual motor driven multipoint door lock system with integrated panic function suitable for main entrance doors in various types of buildings. It’s also compatible with access control options and building management systems, which is what makes it the top specification door lock in the SmartSecure range.
As demand for smart locking continues to rise across all sectors, this is the ideal moment to assess your offering and ensure your portfolio is aligned with the expectations of a rapidly evolving market. As an independent hardware partner, we’re here to support you with the product range, expertise and technical guidance needed to help capitalise on this growing opportunity.