Here’s why you need hubless IoT.
If you’re looking at instituting property technology in your multifamily community, selecting the right devices is crucial, but choosing which devices to avoid is equally important.
In most of the proptech industry, hubs are considered a necessary component of the intelligent building ecosystem. All smart devices in every unit are connected to a hub, which connects them to the internet, allowing them to be controlled remotely via an app.
It’s a system that works for many industry giants, but at what cost?
Homebase is revolutionizing the industry by connecting smart devices directly to the internet. This eliminates the need for hubs, and in doing so, it cuts costs, increases reliability, and removes proprietary hardware.
Not convinced? Let’s break down three reasons to choose hubless proptech.
1. Hubs are expensive.
Hubs add hundreds of dollars in additional upfront cost per unit. In a community with 200 units, that usually adds up to more than $40,000.
The upfront cost is usually the greatest barrier to investing in proptech. Removing this unnecessary expense increases affordability and leads to faster ROI.
In addition, relying on hubs increases the likelihood of unexpected costs down the line. Hubs must be left in each unit and can be easily broken or accidentally stolen by residents during move-out.
By avoiding hubs altogether, properties dodge this potential expense without missing out on any of the benefits of an automated smart apartment.
2. Hubless IoT is more reliable.
If the appeal of significantly more money in your pocket wasn’t enough to persuade you of the value of hubless IoT, how about increased reliability?
Residents can easily unplug or steal hubs, and if they are unplugged or missing, none of the smart devices in the unit will be able to be controlled through the app. Instead, residents will need to operate them manually. When a new hub is acquired, it will need to be reprogrammed, which takes time away from other community management processes.
On the other hand, Bluetooth locks, which are used by Homebase, do not have this issue. These locks use Bluetooth to connect directly to the residents’ app. Since they aren’t reliant on hubs, they have a very high success rate. They are battery-powered and Homebase has built-in notifications that make it easy for property managers to stay on top of lock maintenance.
3. Hubs are proprietary software.
To top it all off, hubs are risky. The proptech industry has blown up in the last few years with many competing companies trying to find their footing. As you choose smart devices for your multifamily community, it is wise to consider your backup plan if you are unhappy with your service.
Hubs make it difficult to form a backup plan. Even if the smart devices in your community can function on other platforms, hubs cannot.
They are proprietary software, which means they only have value when they are used with the proptech software you purchased them for. That means if you choose a hub-based proptech company for your smart devices, you could have over $40,000 in sunken costs if you are unable to stay with that company.
On the other hand, Homebase, as a hubless IoT company, is hardware agnostic. All of the hardware our customers use can function on another software system. That means that if Homebase didn’t exist tomorrow, all of the hardware our customers purchase would retain its value. It also means that it is possible for customers to switch to a different smart community management platform if they are unhappy with Homebase. This gives customers greater security as they invest in proptech.
Build an efficient and affordable smart community.
If you’re interested in maximizing the affordability of your smart community, choosing the most reliable locks on the market, and ensuring that your IoT investment will last for years to come, then Homebase hubless proptech might be the way to go.
Ready to get started? Our Smart Building Specialists can help you get the most affordable and effective solution on the market. Tell us about your community.
