designed for the needs of the Orthodox Jewish community, is a culturally
specific example ( see figure 4.24) There may in future even be a role for
independent IoT ‘plumbers’ who specialize in helping consumers install,
maintain and repair connected home systems: a kind of role the technology
blogger Anil Dash refers to as ‘blue collar coders’^14.
Figure 4.24: Time It Right comes with a professional installation and
configuration service (Image: Autotime).
Another service opportunity may involve helping users secure lower prices or
better service from 3rd parties, or otherwise benefit from the data that comes
from your system. In the sustainable housing development of Little Kelham in
Sheffield, northern England residents have smart meters to track energy use
and band together to bulk buy electricity (see the connected home case study
between chapters 4 and 5).
Personal services, such as installation or intensive customer support, are not
necessary for all services and may not be practical within your business model.
But it’s worth considering the bigger context of user’s expectations around the
service you’re offering, and how their needs will change over time, to make
(^14) http://dashes.com/anil/2012/10/the-blue-collar-coder.html