Page 21 - IEC Insights Sept-Oct21

recruit and retain new talent, wireless
lighting control can reduce labor hours Item Competitor’s
and complexity on almost any project. Wired Solution

One significant advantage is shorter TOTAL BID* $70,000 $60,000
installation time – wireless installs up
to 70% faster than traditional wired
solutions because you don’t have to Labor & Overhead Costs $35,000 $27,000
pull new wires, install backboxes, or
tear open walls. The result is also more
flexible than a hard-wired system – in just Material Costs $30,000 $18,000
minutes wireless sensors can be placed
and adjusted wherever they’re needed. Profit $5,000 $15,000

It’s easier to add or reposition a
control point, offer personal control * Total bid for the entire project encompasses the cost of materials, including the LED fixtures and
options, expand an existing system, controls, and the associated labor and overhead costs to complete the project
or even reprogram lighting zones
to accommodate social distancing
practices or a new open-office layout. faster. Contractors are typically able to of project needs. You should be able to
As companies begin to welcome submit a highly competitive bid, and consistently, and confidently deliver a code-
employees back to the office, space still increase their profits on each job. compliant system that performs exactly as
layout is likely to look much different your customer expects it to. With the right
than it did a year ago. The lighting has to In one recent open-office project, the solutions, you’re able to offer enhancements
reflect the way people work to provide installed cost of a wired solution is to the facilities team with hub-based
a comfortable, productive workplace. compared to an equivalent wireless solutions that can provide actionable
solution (shown above). The contractor data to improve building performance.
With wireless, you not only reduce time was able to submit a bid that was 15%
on the job, but you maintain or even lower, and still realize 3x greater profits. The lighting control should be
improve profit margins by getting the easy to setup and program as a
job done with the staff you already standalone system, or with an app on
have. Programming is as easy as a 3. WAITING a smart phone or tablet, requiring no
button press on a control or an app on FOR PRODUCT specialized manufacturer startup.
your smart device, offering the kind of AVAILABILITY
flexibility that helps add value on every ON DISTRIBUTOR SHELVES =
job and create customers for life. WASTED TIME AND 4. WORKPLACES
COMPROMISED SCHEDULES. ARE CHANGING,
Contractors count on products to be in AND CONTRACTORS
2. RAW MATERIAL stock, ready to install when they need WILL HAVE TO DELIVER
COSTS ARE them. One survey found that 72% of versatile, new solutions FAST. As people
VOLATILE, AND contractors cite product availability as head back into the office, facility teams
SUPPLIES ARE TIGHT. their number one reason for selecting will be more focused than ever on keeping
Uncertainty in the supply chain can one brand over another. If they can’t get shared work areas clean and minimizing
squeeze project budgets and throw the product, they can’t finish the job. touches on common surfaces. But they still
schedules off course. The price of have to make sure the work environment
copper is a prime example – fluctuating Look for a system that is simple, is comfortable and fosters productivity.
wildly since March of 2020, with flexible, and scalable with components
many analysts predicting the price available from stock at your local As soon as their customers are ready,
may continue to rise through 2025. distributor – one that can also be contractors should be able to provide
easily customized for each job, from solutions that automate lighting
Wireless systems limit the additional a single room to an entire building. control in response to new space
materials you need to purchase for the layouts. Building occupants want to
job and minimize the risk of miswires, With this strategy, contractors can establish feel secure and comfortable without
allowing you to get on and off the job a go-to system that works for a wide variety having to think about the technology.

www.ieci.org | September/October 2021 | Insights Magazine 19