Tillman Domotics is a home technology specialist with a reputation for beautifully tailoring its bespoke systems to its clients’ lifestyle needs and providing an impeccably reliable service. Matthew Tillman tells us why demand is growing for his company’s services
Firstly, can you tell us about Tillman Domotics?
How did you start and how has the brand evolved since first launching? Having worked in the fledgling smart-home industry for years, I founded Tillman Domotics with my partner Matt Symons because we both firmly believed that the AV business could be done so much better. A number of AV specialists had a very formulaic approach and frequently over-specified equipment. Since we launched our brand in 2010, our business has become more and more customer-focused. Today, it’s less about technology and more about people. We create systems that make our customers’ lives easier and also fun. Our after-care is superior to many firms and clients can rely on us implicitly.
You have an intriguing company name. What do you mean by ‘Domotics’?
The term, which was coined by a journalist, covers any of the technological disciplines that may be found in an interior including audio-visual, lighting, security, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and so much more. These elements were once treated as separate disciplines, but in order to have a super-efficient home, it is advisable to segue these services and access them from a single interface. In larger homes, it is essential to integrate technology, but even smaller homes can benefit from our services.
What makes you unique and appealing to potential clients?
They can tap into the long-standing experience of a team that has evolved the best practice out of first-hand knowledge of how the home-tech industry operates. We’re often called in to fix the bad installations of other AV firms, so we know how important it is for customers to have a good integrator and the distress that is caused when a system fails.
Do you have a typical client?
Our clients vary – they can be a developer or an architect, but just as likely the homeowner. It may be someone who wants in-your-face technology to show off how high-tech they are or it may be someone who wants the benefits of technology, but doesn’t want it impacting on their beautifully designed interior. As we deal in technology for interiors a lot of our work is residential and often it’s high-end residential because the larger a property the more services there are to integrate. We also offer technological integration for marine and commercial properties, so these clients’ needs are different than a typical homeowner’s. Whatever the type of client, they are all seeking a trustworthy and easy-to-use service
How do you meet the needs of your clients? How important is customisation for a home automation specialist?
Listening to the client is very important. We always begin with a full life-style survey of the end-users’ needs and work through a five-stage process – discuss, design, supply, install and monitor. It’s also important for us to be bang up-to-date with the very latest technologies and what best suits the client’s lifestyle and budget. Customisation is key to our success because each customer is unique and whilst one person loves parties another will value tranquility. Technology can improve the lives of all customers whatever their values are.
Can you describe the process and elements that are included in order to achieve a high-tech smart home?
Ideally this process begins as early as possible in the property’s refurbishment or build, thus allowing for the clients’ needs to be met and cabling or any bespoke mechanisms to be easily integrated into the build. As part of this process detailed CAD design packs and wiring plans are produced. The documentation will outline the cabling required for the first fix and should allow for upgrades so that your system is as future- ready as it can possibly be. Making our design and installation future-ready is key to achieving a high-tech home. What is today’s cutting-edge property is not tomorrow’s.
How do you make sure that beautiful interiors aren’t compromised by the technology?
There are lots of ways to ensure that technology is discreet and we’re frequently creating bespoke mechanisms such as TVs hidden in custom-made cabinetry, popping out of ceilings or emerging from under a bedframe. Speakers don’t need to be large, freestanding units, but can be invisible and plastered into the walls.
Do you need to be technologically savvy to have an up-to-date home?
Most people are only scratching the surface of what is available to them and although you don’t have to be technologically savvy to run a high-tech-home (we’ll make it easy for you) it helps to have a curiosity and a desire to find out what technology can do for you. That said we talk our customers through all the options, so it’s fine to come to us with no idea or lots of ideas.
Won’t the technology go out of date quickly?
Technology is always changing, but if we took the stance that it isn’t worth investing in its benefits, then we’d all still be using our fax machines and accomplishing tasks at a snail’s pace. The great news is that technology has come down in price, making it easier to move from one technology to the next.
What next for Tillman Domotics in 2016?
We’re always searching for innovative new technology and better ways of doing things. We’re also expanding our customer base. We do a lot of work in London and the Home Counties, but we’re involved more and more in global projects including homes and hotels in Africa, the Middle East, France and Italy.
And finally, what is your everyday luxury?
Lighting. If there’s one thing that transforms a property, it is having lots of preset scenes at your fingertips. In a typical large home you may have five or six different mood scenes in a living room that bring into play various combinations of task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting. And we’re also asked to produce special effects such as DMX skylights to create a customized moving lighting scene that changes colour – one such installation replicated sky and clouds over a client’s basement swimming pool. In our business, lighting also includes the control of blinds and curtains, which we’ll integrate with all the other services and clients can access with a single interface.
To read more about Tillman Domotics, please click here
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