Smart Home is a broad term these days. It can refer to iOT devices, networking equipment, entertainment, and security installations. There are so many different brands, that it is hard to make sense of them sometimes, or even decide what would be best for your situation. Nelsonwerks is now expanding services, and has become a dealer for several of the top brands in the business!

Each home has different technology needs. Before the devices, a home needs a solid and secure network. That can be supplied many ways, but now that NelsonWerks is a Ubiquiti dealer, accessing business-class hardware is easier than ever. Ubiquiti supplies access points, routing, and security for venues and businesses across the world. Now, you might think that ‘business-class’ means too expensive. It is not. It is priced similarly with high-end consumer gear, but is far better. Ubiquiti technology is affordable and accessible to NelsonWerks clients. It can be managed remotely, is rock solid, and modular. That means that regardless of your home’s layout, indoor or outdoor wifi needs, security, and computer backup solutions, NelsonWerks can custom build a system that exactly matches a customer’s needs. Buying consumer-grade WiFi gear in the age of hackers and working from home is a mistake.

There are several smart home ecosystems out there, and I am obviously biased toward’s Homekit, by Apple. It has the most stringent device requirements, and if set up properly, enables the management of your home from any of your family’s devices. No creepy listening speakers required, multiple apps and logins on everyone’s phones, and has the ability to control your home from afar. For example, we had someone come over to look after our pets. They text when they arrive, we disarm the security system and open the door all in the Homekit app. Cameras can make sure things are ok on property, and then when they are done, we can lock everything back up again … without ever having to give away access to someone outside of our family.

Whether you go with Homekit, an Alex-based system, Google, or a combination, Nelsonwerks can help. There are Pros and Cons to them all, but I try to set up clients with something that is easy to manage and understand. Deciding on a tech ecosystem from the start, and sticking with it, is key. Once you do that, network design, IoT devices, and specific needs come next. The problem in going with a company like Vivint for instance, or Comcast, is that not only are their devices trickier to manage and proprietary, but everything usually comes along with more monthly maintenance fees, and is a tough sell if you’ve replaced everything in your house. The next buyers might not want Vivint gear at all, and you’ve permanently replaced all your switches and hardware. On the other hand, you could install Lutron switches, a good network, and a proper security system from the start, spend a little bit more money on the front end, but then have an asset in your house. The asset then works well, operates on many platforms, and can transfer easily to new owners, but can also operate independently of the smart IoT and just be a normal switch as well. That last bit is key. If your internet is down, your home still needs work like a normal house. The home network is becoming an investment that is asset, because then you improve and future-proof your home. We aren’t in the future yet, but are well on our way.

I would love to help you think through your options, and come up with a solution that is rock solid, and actually works. If things are set up correctly from the start, it makes all the difference. Let Nelsonwerks help that difference become reality, and avoid a stressful and buggy tech setup that never works as advertised.

- Hans