Smart control for indoor and outdoor sunshades for everyone!

In the delivery program of BREL HOME, there are bi-directional motors that not only receive up and down commands wirelessly but also provide feedback about their functioning.

"With the compact yet highly versatile BREL HOME USB Hub DD-1554, a quick and easy connection can be made between the bi-directional motors present in and around the house and the existing WiFi network," says Erik Budding. "The setup is easy and fast via the BREL HOME app, which is downloadable for both Android and Apple mobile devices.

This way, up to 30 motors can be controlled via smartphone or tablet, and the status of each motor can be viewed. The BREL HOME WiFi Hub DD-7002B offers even more functionalities, as it recognizes and can control both bi-directional and mono-directional motors."

“Do not underestimate the demand for App solutions from consumers”

According to Erik Budding and Reinoud Arts, the consumer demand is hard to keep up with. “When I see how many questions we get from the end-user, I can only conclude that the consumer is more than ready,” says Budding. “The BREL HOME concept is fully compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Home. This brings voice control of window decoration, curtains, outdoor sunshades, and shutters within everyone's reach.” 

“It also makes sense,” Arts adds. “In the past, new technology was introduced when the developer thought the market was ready. Nowadays, consumers are ‘snatching it out of your hands’ even before it is properly launched. We owe this to the smartphone era we live in. The commercial digitalization is far ahead of the industrial one. Our advice to the trade is not to underestimate the demand for App solutions from consumers but to actively engage with it. Simply put: you can not only generate more revenue with smart control, but it can also cost you revenue if you cannot deliver it. The customer still determines what the market looks like.” 

When wireless really needs to be wireless

According to Budding and Arts, BREL MOTORS is seen in the Netherlands as the pioneer of the latest trend in motor technology: the battery motor. “A characteristic of the BREL battery motors, whether used indoors or outdoors, is that the battery is located within the motor tube itself,” says Budding. This greatly enhances the applicability of battery technology.” 

For the battery motors used in screens and shutters for outdoor use, BREL has developed a solar panel that is attached to the casing of the sunshade or shutter. The battery is charged by daylight, eliminating the need for a power cable. This saves drilling indoors and also eliminates the need to neatly conceal the wiring. “It also makes it entirely possible to install electrically operated products in places where no power cable can be laid. Think, for example, of installing screens on French doors or placing shutters on dormer windows,” Budding explains. 

“Our message to all sunshade professionals who have not yet made the step to smart control and battery motors is to just try it,” says Arts in conclusion. “Start with a first screen with a battery motor. Install the BREL HOME App and be amazed at how user-friendly everything works. You will naturally become a fan and effortlessly sell a product that is completely of this time.”