Very few people understand what automation means. It usually requires a conversation to uncover all of the ways that automating a task can improve a home’s “livability” or an office’s “efficiency”. For example, you can have a switch near the front door that turns of all of the lights in the building. This can be done with a simple “master switch”, but an automation system will perform the same function while not turning lights off where there are still occupants! It can also allow you to control from more locations, and even remotely with a smartphone or tablet. Note that this is not the same as having an “app” on a smartphone. Multiple apps on a smartphone is the same as multiple remote controls—automation combines and eliminates all of the confusion.