Belkin reveals surprising integration partner

Jim's Electrical is looking to expand off the back of a consumer IT deal with Belkin.

The electrical franchise has partnered with Belkin as the recommended installation company for Belkin's new automated WeMo Light Switch product, a key technology in the vendor's charge on the home automation market.

According to Belkin, the Light Switch is a Wi-Fi connected light switch that allows users to remotely access and manage an entire bank of household lights from anywhere using the WeMo app.

It allows users to do things such as turn lights on or off via the WeMo app on their iOS or Android device, put lights on a schedule and even time lights according to local sunrise and sunset.

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Unlike Belkin's WeMo switches and netcams, which can be simply plugged in, the WeMo Light Switch products require installation by a qualified electrician, which is where Jim's Electrical steps in.

The franchise will be the recommended installation company for the light switches, although consumers will also be free to use their preferred electrician.

A Belkin spokesperson told CRN, "Belkin certainly believes that smart channel operators will seek out their own electrical partnerships as well. There is no requirement to be an official partner of Belkin’s to be able to install the Light Switch."

For Jim's Electrical, the alliance opens up a whole new segment for franchisees.

Jim's Electrical currently has 17 vehicles on the road across six states, said director Cameron Scott, who hopes the move into lifestyle technology will find favour with existing franchisees as well as drive Jim's ambitious expansion plans across the network.

Scott said: "Getting the leads for these guys is something we look at to grow the business. This will give us leads to help us with growth."

He revealed that Jim's Electrical hoped to add a suite of services and support around the Belkin deal, pushing the franchise into new territory.

Brendan Sparks, Belkin's ANZ head of product management and marketing, said the deal with Jim's came about because the vendor was looking for a partner with national coverage.

“We understand the rise of home automation can be daunting to some consumers, which is why we have partnered with Jim’s Electrical to provide an end to end process for our customers," said Sparks.

The Light Switch will launch in late October priced at $69.95. It is estimated that installation would start at about $40 per switch, depending on the configuration of the house.