New technology is supposed to make things easier to do and save time. At least, that’s what the marketing says. Most of the time, well thought out technology does just that, and we wonder how we ever did without it. But too many times, new technology adds complexity and confusion. How about those car systems that make you dig through a touchscreen menu for a seat heater when a simple button would suffice? 

Smart home automation should make things simpler, not harder. It should do things for you without much or any input on your part. As a specialized, expert home automation company, that’s what Elite Technology Solutions strives to do for our clients in Clayton, MO – make smart technology fit you and your lifestyle. Read on to see how we do it!

Is your home smart? Just what is a smart home, anyway? The modern smart home is more than just a collection of smart devices. You may already have some, like a video doorbell and a smart thermostat. They will give you some new information and control capabilities that you may not have had before. But how well do they work together to make it easier to manage daily life?

As a leading home automation company in Missouri, Elite Technology Solutions believes that the smart home is not just smart devices controllable by apps but a comprehensive system that takes advantage of all that intelligence to orchestrate your home and transform your lifestyle in both functional and delightful ways.

While you can incorporate many smart home features into your home, we think there are five essential ones every St. Louis smart home should have. Find out what they are below.

As you know, the world of audio/video entertainment has gone digital. Entertainment has evolved to take advantage of high-speed data delivery and distribution systems for both video and audio content. Crestron is the leader in digital distribution of high-quality sound and video throughout the home.  The original DM (Digital Media) System from Crestron revolutionized the switching, distribution, and control of HDMI video/audio in both the commercial and residential worlds. Elite was right there installing one of the first systems of its kind. Traditional DM systems are now complimented with Crestron’s DM-NVX product line, delivering pristine 4K HDR video and audio over 1 GB data networks. This “video over IP” solution is highly flexible and scalable. Any video source at any display/TV at any time is a sure winner. 

As a home automation company with deep knowledge of digital technologies and networking, we intuitively understand the advantages of moving video and audio over a digital connection, but we are also audiophiles and we understand and appreciate the need for high-quality amplification and speakers. We are proud to partner with Crestron in introducing Crestron’s newest addition to the DM line of audio/video distribution and switching to the St. Louis, MO area. 

Crestron’s new DM NAX matrix/amplifier is a game-changer for configuring a whole-house setup for your Ladue, MO home, taking full advantage of modern digital technologies. Read on to learn more about this exciting solution. 

Smart speakers and voice assistants are ubiquitous these days. Many people use various smart speakers from Amazon, Google, and Apple for information, music, quick questions, and home automation. With tempting Black Friday sales and prices at this time of year, it's tempting to get one or more for your home.

While these smart speakers and their intelligence platforms are great, they are also sometimes frustrating – especially when it comes to home automation. Commands to turn on a light sometimes have to be repeated. They have a limited understanding of context. Ask your child to flip on a light, and they look for the nearest switch and turn it on. Ask a voice assistant, and it can sometimes be an exercise equivalent to telling your child, "it's the switch to your right, the one on the wall, white, 2 inches above your eye level.” If that’s a frustration you’ve experienced, you might be glad to hear there is another option.

Elite Technology Solutions has recently partnered with Josh.AI, a voice assistant that is exclusively designed for home automation and aims to be the personal assistant that always understands what you want. Elite is proud to be the only home automation company offering the Josh.AI solution to the Ladue, MO community. Read on to learn more about a new dimension in voice control for your home.