Let’s face it—today’s consumer is more tech-savvy than ever.  They want to be connected at all times and in all places….including in their homes.  The house of today is not that far off from that of Judy Jetson.  Companies like NuSystems, experts in smart home technology, can make that home of the future a reality right now.  NuSystems Designer, Patrick Hartman, answers a few questions about how to create—and sell—a technological lifestyle.

   Patrick, you work with a lot of custom, high-end builders.  What is the one thing that your clients ask for over and over again?  No doubt about it—they’re all requiring flat panel televisions, distributed music throughout the home, and systems that are very easy to operate.  For the clients that are upgrading technologies in their vacation homes, it is almost a must to be able to view and/or control their systems remotely via the internet or Smartphone.

What are the biggest technology trends in 2010?  The top trends that I have already seen—or expect to see—is the iPad integration into the home, extremely think LED and 3D televisions, and streaming media (like Netflix, YouTube, and Pandora) through televisions and Blue-Ray DVD players.

What do you think of the iPad?  In your opinion, will homeowners come to rely on it for home applications, and will it become just as popular as its counterpart, the iPhone?  Absolutely!  The iPad will completely change the way individuals read emails, watch television and movies, read the news and books, surf the web, and control the systems in their homes, just to name a few.  I also expect that the iPad will become a home/family device unlike the iPod or iPhone, which are considered personal devices.

Are there any great iPhone or iPad apps for the home yet?  One of the most popular and one of my favorites is Pandora, a personalized internet radio service.  I use it to listen to music whenever I am at home.  There are also an unlimited number of apps for the home that focus on finding a recipe for a meal, reading top newspapers, playing your favorite board game or video game, and streaming commercial-free music through your sound system.

You are constantly improving your sales techniques and ability to communicate with your clients, Patrick.  What is your company’s biggest attribute in this market?  Believe it or not, answering our phone when people call and responding to existing clients and/or potential clients in a timely manner goes a long way.  In a small community like Reno, Lake Tahoe, or the Carson Valley, reputation is everything.  Not responding to clients in a timely manner rubs people the wrong way and will cost you referral business.

Despite this challenging economy, what has been the best thing to come out of this market?  The challenging economy definitely weeded out the low-ball pricing companies that were in the area, and the smaller, non-licensed individuals.  Hard-working, honest, and properly licensed companies that have been in this area for many years have survived and will be even more prosperous once the economy comes full circle.

(For more information on technology in the homes of today and tomorrow, contact Patrick Hartman at NuSystems, Inc.  Serving Reno, Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Gardnerville, Minden, Sparks, Truckee, and Mammoth Lakes since 1982, Patrick can be reached at 775-265-5775, or by email at patrickh@nusystems.com

Patrick Hartman
Designer @ NuSystems