Home Security Systems

By Bethany Ramos

Smart Home Systems was incorporated in 1990. Shortly thereafter, founder Ron Patrick was asked to build Canada's first fully automated "Smart House" in Calgary. Smart Home Systems merged with Insight Automation International in 2010 to provide solutions in automation and integration, security and surveillance, custom home theater and AV design, green technologies, and lighting, shading, irrigation, and HVAC control.

Insight Automation International offers a variety of services, including:

• Custom designed audio/visual systems
• Home theater design and installation
• Multi-room audio/video integration
• Home automated & lighting control and design
• Security and CCTV
• Gated entry systems
• Satellite systems
• Structured wiring
• Computer networking
• Phone systems
• H.V.A.C. systems
• Energy-efficient automated shading
• Remote-controlled irrigation

Newer green technology features include lighting control, solar panel upgrades, and automated shading to deflect or attract heat, depending on the season. A home or business can conserve energy with halogen/CFL dimmers and occupancy sensors within a complete lighting control system. Automated shaders are used to naturally heat or cool a home or business, constructed with high-efficiency fabrics to "optimize solar gain" year-round.

Products and brands available for installation include:

• AudioControl
• B&W
• Bosch
• Cisco
• Control4
• Crestron
• JVC
• LG
• Pioneer
• Savant

Certifications and awards

• Consumers Choice Awards for Business Excellence 2006
• EISA Award -- European High End Audio for 1999-2000
• Lutron #1 Dealer in Canada for 2005 for Lighting and Shades
• Runco #1 Dealer in Canada for 1998 and 2005
• Home Theater Magazine Distinguished Dealer
• Lutron -- Platinum dealer for 2006 & 2007
• Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association Member

Articles about Smart Home Systems have appeared in a variety of magazines in the industry, such as Lifestyle, New Home Living, Smart Moves & News, Home Entertainment & Design, Home to Home, Renovations, Home Entertainment, Best Home and C.E. Biz.

Where does Insight Automation International install?

Insight Automation International offers installation in the US and Canada; locations include Indio/Palm Springs, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Calgary, Parksville/Victoria, and Vancouver.

What do customer reviews say?

Smart Home Systems has been featured in several high profile magazines with excellent ratings. It's literally impossible to find negative reviews of them online.

The Consumer's Choice Award for Business Excellence is an award that is determined using a number of factors. It's very difficult for a company to get through every stage of this. They use an Internal Methodology template to research nominated companies, a research study is conducted with close-ended questions to survey the market, the total population of the market is surveyed and then finally the top winners are ranked. The leading Canadian-owned market research firm Leger Marketing is responsible for conducting the scientific surveys and doing market research for CCA.

The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) has also given their European High End Audio Award to Smart Home Systems for 1999 - 2000. EISA is an association of 50 different special interest magazines from 19 European countries and they have been giving out awards since 1982. The nominees for the award are selected by the magazines themselves and products and services test evaluated by the participating magazines.

Do they provide home or business installation?

The company does installations for both private homes and businesses of all different sizes. Multi-home owners can see significant benefits since Insight Automation International offers consistent service through locations in California, Arizona, Alberta, and B.C. The Insight Group plans to open a location in every major city in North America in the future.

What sets them apart?

The Insight Group owns and manages several companies that meet strict standards in customized installation. Technicians from each company communicate with one another regularly and attend semi-annual teleconferences to stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and advancements in the industry.

Insight Automation International also boasts lower cost quotes due to increased efficiency in their business practices. The company has chosen to centralize marketing, insurance, web support, and general accounting to save money and lower customer prices even further.

Customers interested in automated and integrated home entertainment, security, and surveillance can take away the top benefits of working with the Insight Group, according to their company motto: better quality, lower costs, greater reach, stable & reliable, and a larger product slate.

Interested in learning more? Check out our Home Automation Resource Center.