Stanley Black & Decker’s Keith Brandon,director, residential access solutions,discusses how brands like Baldwin can help custom integrators, how they’re working with control system manufacturers, and what technology they’re focusing on for the future.In light of a recent John Sciacca blog metaphor that automated door locks represent “the tip of the automation iceberg” that is going to “save…custom installation,” we thought it would be fitting to check in with another manufacturer in this category. Stanley Black & Decker’s Keith Brandon, director, residential access solutions, described how his company’s Hardware and Home Improvement division houses several of these brands: Kwikset, Baldwin, Pfister, Stanley National, and K2 Commercial Hardware. The Baldwin and Pfister showroom products specifically target highend consumers, with Baldwin allowing customers to personalize and customize capabilities. In this interview with RS, Brandon discussed how SB&D products can help custom integrators and what technology they’re focusing on for the future.
To what extent has Stanley Black and Decker targeted custom integrators or collaborated with control system manufacturers?
Home Connect wireless technology, which enables remote locking, unlocking, and monitoring, is available on Kwikset and Baldwin locks. Baldwin Hardware’s keyless entry products with Home Connect technology is now available on Zigbee and Z-Wave wireless protocols, broadening opportunities for partnerships with control system manufacturers. In effect, over the past several months, Baldwin locks with Home Connect now integrate with AMX, Control4, ELAN, HAI, and Savant. Kwikset has partnered with top security system solution providers, including 2GIG Technologies, Alarm.com, DMP, DSC, Honeywell, and Interlogix to allow homeowners plenty of options when securing their homes. These collaborations allow seamless integration of the Home Connect technology with residential security and home automation systems.
What’s the most important thing for integrators to know about your products and how they can help sell home automation systems?
Stated simply, Home Connect technology delivers the ultimate in convenience while away from home and personalization from the minute someone walks into the door. However, the added benefit of Kwikset and Baldwin locks with Home Connect technology is that the locks themselves offer the highest security rating for residential door locks, in addition to category-leading technology such as BumpGuard lock-bumping protection and SmartKey re-key technology, which allows homeowners to re-key their locks in seconds.
Baldwin and Kwikset Home Connect products allow homeowners to lock, unlock, and monitor their doors remotely, bringing peace of mind to parents and homeowners that keep a busy schedule. They can unlock their front door when their kids make it home from school before them, ensure the door has been secured after the housecleaner leaves, and monitor their doors while traveling abroad, all through a smartphone app or secure internet connection.
Stanley Black & Decker’s Kwikset SmartCode Deadbolt in a satin nickel finish.If the homeowner is looking for luxury living and personalization, Home Connect technology can communicate wirelessly with other household systems like lighting, HVAC, shades, and entertainment systems, so homeowners with many partner home automation control systems can trigger their personal preferences like music, temperature, and lighting. Having the ability to identify the unique needs of each customer and customizing the key product benefits to their needs can increase an integrator’s recurring monthly revenue, customer retention, system usage and provide the total security solution.
How is SB&D addressing the merging of security technology with other networked systems in the home?
The ability to integrate other home automation systems with our door locks positions Kwikset’s and Baldwin’s Home Connect technology at the center of this trend. Dealers can use this advantage to sell the product along with other smart home technologies. Dealers can highlight Home Connect benefits that go well beyond security to their customers.
What’s on SB&D’s new product roadmap?
We are always researching ways to expand our product line and partnerships. Trends in remote and wireless connectivity continue to indicate that emerging new technologies are on the rise. Multiple wireless technologies including Bluetooth and NFC are top of mind for us in 2013, and you can expect to see new technology offerings in the coming year.
