Technology has now found its way in to just about every area within a household. In the past, technology was thought to only belong in the living area, which is of course where the TV lives. However, it has now made its mark in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and even outdoor living spaces.

The blend of design and technology is becoming more and more popular, the proof coming from companies such as LG, which now allows consumers to purchase a fridge with internet access.

Even the humble TV screen has evolved beyond its initial incarnation. Plasma, LCD, LED, 3D… the choice is endless. And now we have a wave of new ‘smart’ TVs allowing viewers to gain access to a variety of media via the internet. These are a few examples of how companies have taken into account and reacted to society’s need for products that enhance lifestyles, particularly as they become more and more chaotic.

When dealing with your clients, the future of technology needs to be considered alongside understanding that it is constantly changing and being upgraded. Therefore the best option may be a system that can easily be upgraded to keep up with the changes in technology and enhancement of products.

Something that is interchangeable and adjustable would make it easier for the installer and the client if a system should need to be upgraded. An option to achieve this could be to create a cavity area for easy access to cables or additional cabling. Installers should also examine their client’s electrical distribution board. Is it able to be added to or does an entire new electrical distribution board need to be installed to achieve what the client wants?

If so, the client should be made aware of what’s involved and they can reconsider whether or not they want to go ahead with the work.

You need to remember that it is hard to make decisions on how you’d like your C-Bus system to operate until you’ve lived in the space. The way the client wants it to operate can change with the seasons, as the children get older and eventually move out of home, or if they have visitors. For example, if you get home from work at 6pm you may want your lights to turn on at 5:50pm to light the way to your bathroom, while you’re heated towel rail switches on at 5:30pm so the towels are warm for when you’ve finished your shower.

However, in the summer due to daylight savings you may not require the lights to turn on at 6pm, nor would you need warm towels. Therefore you would need to call in an installer to reprogram and re-adjust the CBUS settings as the seasons change. More flexibility is needed, where users can make changes to the system themselves. This flexibility would be highly beneficial for occasional situations where the client is going away on holiday and they want their lights to switch on from 7:30pm – 10pm so it looks as though someone is home. Who knows – in the near future there may be an Ipod App where you can control your CBUS settings or lighting system?

Would this be a good thing for installers as it’s a hassle to constantly get called in to update a system or does the installer want all the control? How much control does the installer want the client/home owner to have?

When it comes to designing a joinery system to house the television, it is important to again consider the ongoing improvement of technology. It may not be the best option to build the plasma TV into the wall as TV screen sizes are constantly getting bigger and the depth is becoming thinner. A better option may be to simply mount the TV onto the wall, or if they want the TV to be hidden when not in use, a system that can be used in conjunction with any TV size should be chosen.

The installer should consider and make the client aware that the more concealed or hidden the articles, the more complicated and more costly it can become. It also becomes more complicated should it need to be fixed or changed. It should also be understood that it would be more prone to issues and problems.

Is there an easier way? Consider methods for complete removable wall panels. The most important and beneficial thing the installer can do is to educate the client, as the majority of people don’t truly understand exactly how much work goes into achieving the outcome they are after. It is best for the installer to find out what is involved, estimate the cost and get confirmation from the client whether they are happy to go ahead with the work. Also, make sure the client understands that they will need to call in an installer if their system, such as their CBUS system needs to be upgraded. This way there should be no confusion between the client and the installer.