Standardization was the name of the game when Henry Ford came up with his assembly line strategy for building cars. Through standardization he was able to automate. Through the combination of both, he was able to produce high-quality automobiles at prices the average consumer could afford.
Those same principles are what make so many consumer goods so cheap in the 21st century. Still, standardization is not always the best way to go. Take home security and automation. Sometimes a homeowner is better off working with a company like Vivint Smart Home to build a customized system from the ground up.
There is no doubting that customized systems can cost more than their off-the-shelf counterparts. Often times they do. But when you understand the benefits of owning a custom system, a higher price tag doesn’t seem as significant.
Every Home is Different
It is essentially true that the basic principles of home security apply equally to just about every home. Every home has preferred entry points for burglars. Every home presents certain fire risks. These basic principles do not change all that much from one home to the next. What does change is how security concerns are addressed.
The fact is that every home is different. For example, burglars tend to prefer to enter through the front door. Yet there might be something different about your home that would cause burglars to look for another point of entry. In such a case, focusing your security efforts on the front door would not be the best course of action.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
The problem with off-the-shelf security systems is that they are designed with a one-size-fits-all mentality. But we are all smart enough to know that very few things in this life are uniform. One size does not fit all – whether you are talking clothing or security systems.
To illustrate this point, consider the smart thermostat. The modern smart thermostat is the descendant of the older programmable thermostat, but with some extra features. A smart thermostat can be programmed to control in-home temperatures in any way a homeowner sees fit. But then it goes one step further by learning the homeowner’s schedule and then making the necessary adjustments to maximize efficiency.
It is generally accepted that a smart thermostat can save you money on your energy bills. But again, that is not always the case. For example, you might live in a fairly modern home that is already as energy efficient as it can be. You have double glazed windows, great insulation, and every other feature under the sun.
A smart thermostat will certainly make it easier for you to control the temperature in your home, but it might not necessarily save you any money. You might already be maximizing your energy efficiency.
Customized to Your Circumstances
The thing about custom home automation and security systems is that they are customized to more than just your needs. They are also customized to your circumstances. For example, you may need wireless video cameras to monitor your children indoors and keep an eye on your property outdoors. Yet your circumstances will dictate the number of cameras you need, and where they will be mounted.
When you work with a company like Vivint, your system is built only after you and a representative go through your requirements and figure out what is most suitable based on your needs and circumstances. Your security provider will walk through every option with you while you explain the basic layout of your home along with any other factors that might influence system design.
The end result will be a home automation and security system uniquely designed around your property. Whether you install it yourself or have a professional to do it, you will be getting just what you need to make your home as secure, convenient, and comfortable as possible.
Off-the-shelf systems have their place. After all, one of the things that makes our free market system work is choice. However, an off-the-shelf system may not give you the value you are looking for. It might be better to invest in a custom system that has been designed to account for all the things that make your home unique.
