30 years ago it would have been hard to imagine that a mobile phone could do anything more than send a text or facilitate a voice call. Now, not long after the launch of the first smartphone our phones are our cameras, on-the-go computers, diaries, credit cards and more.

The adoption of smartphones skyrocketed as once the potential of the product was realised, software and app developers were able to create a range of solutions that were hosted on the one device.

Recently my colleagues and I at PUSH have noticed an increase in unusual integration requests, leading us to question whether tailored and unique home applications are going to be the next big thing since smartphones.

Think about it – if you already have a scalable system to control sound and lighting why not have a bar fridge that turns on via timer? Don’t like checking the mailbox more than once a day? Why not have it send email notifications when the mail has arrived?

Just as it’s easy to install another app on your smartphone it’s relatively simple to add a new capability to your smart home. And as home automation becomes common place, the potential for new solutions are limitless, giving integrators a huge opportunity to grow their product offering and overall revenue.

By being able to open up a conversation with your customers about the solutions that would truly simplify their lives you’ll be better able to meet their needs by upselling. A great way to understand what’s actually important to them is to ask what solution they’d use if the sky was the limit. Once you’ve an idea of what gets them excited you’ll be able to scale it down to something that could work with their home and budget.

Need some inspiration? Some of our favourites have been the sports car turntable which the owner could operate on his mobile phone via PUSH Controls. Or the elevator that used a trigger to turn TVs on when they passed the floor.