Consumer study highlights smart access routines and ranks most appealing among US households

Parks Associates’ research reveals 40% of households with connected home devices have at least one multidevice integration or routine established today. This means that 60% of households with smart devices are using them as point solutions, leaving a large portion of their value unrealized. The firm shared this and other research at its 28th annual CONNECTIONS™: The Premier Connected Home Conference, May 7-9 at the Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park Hotel in Plano, TX.

The firm’s Smart Home: Integration, Automation, and Control provides the latest data on smart home trends influencing consumer purchase behavior and preferences. The research notes that word-of-mouth and personal recommendations are crucial drivers for smart home sales, so it is imperative users see the full value of their products so that they can then be product promoters.

“Those owning security systems or an access control device (a smart lock or smart garage door opener) are particularly likely to coordinate smart actions,” said Jason Paris, VP, Business Development, Parks Associates. “Smart access routines also rank among the most appealing, involving integrations of locks, cameras/doorbells, lights, thermostats, and security systems. These routines are designed to enhance household convenience, security, and energy efficiency.”

As part of this project, Parks Associates tested and quantified the appeal of nearly 100 unique routines among all internet households. Today, smart home device owners are largely underutilizing their products — 60% report having no coordination between devices. Much of the value — and vision — of a helpful, intuitive, personal smart home requires coordination among devices, and the dominant method of buying point solutions to solve specific needs isn’t achieving that whole-home promise.

“There is clear consumer demand for integrated and customizable smart home experiences, with a significant emphasis on security, access control, and energy management,” Paris said.  “Smart home providers need to balance between offering advanced automation and respecting user preferences for control.”

Speakers at CONNECTIONS™ address the new marketing strategies to reach the early majority market and emphasize the value of coordination between products. CONNECTIONS™ sponsors include Cox Communities; Nice; Cardinal Peak, an FPT Software Company; Ivani; Kaadas Smart Locks; Kwikset; Rapid Response Monitoring; SkyBell; Ubiety Technologies; Alarm.com; Shelly; SmartThings; Becklar; Schlage; Calix; Johnson Controls; bluesalve partners; Midea America; Cognitive Systems; RSPNDR; Savant; Trident IoT; Xailient; Affiliated Monitoring; Moen; Origin; VectorSolv; and the Z-Wave Alliance.

To schedule an interview with an analyst or to request specific data, please contact Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein at mindi.sue@parksassociates.com or 972-490-1113.

About CONNECTIONS™

CONNECTIONS™: The Premier Connected Home Conference brings industry leaders together to provide insights and business forecasting about the adoption of technology, including broadband, smart home, security, connected health, energy, and home automation.

Parks Associates will host the 30th annual CONNECTIONS™ on May 5-7, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara.

CONNECTIONS™ provides ongoing insights throughout the year with virtual and in-person conference sessions. Parks Associates' analyst team leads the conference sessions, which are focused on technology innovations, consumer adoption and trends, product and service forecasts, and the evaluation of new business strategies, partnerships, monetization opportunities, and value-added service design.

CONNECTIONS™ is a pivotal platform for partnerships and exploring the future of technology adoption and its impact on consumers and businesses. www.connectionsus.com

About Parks Associates

Parks Associates is a global research, consulting, and marketing firm with 40 years of experience delivering proprietary consumer data and industry insights for businesses. The firm produces market research reports, forecasts, surveys, and competitive business intelligence on connected consumer, small business, and commercial technologies and related business solutions. Parks Associates provides custom research, strategic consulting, and forward-looking analysis across connected home, small business, and commercial markets, including security, smart home, broadband, entertainment, energy, multifamily, smart buildings, connected health, and emerging AI-driven technologies.

Parks Associates supports industry growth through proprietary research, consulting, and executive networking and convenes thousands of leaders each year through its flagship conferences, including CONNECTIONS™, Connected Health Summit, Smart Energy Summit, Smart Spaces, and Future of Video. Learn more at https://www.parksassociates.com.

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