ISSUE FOCUS
Brunner was looking to differentiate
and expand beyond line-voltage
electrical services that they were
already offering. Low-voltage
technology was changing much
faster than the electrical trade, and
his team of 120 employees was up for
the challenge and embraced the new
direction.
Brunner later learned that his
Dallas office was already using Clare
on other builders’ projects and
recognized that it would be a perfect
fit for M/I Homes in how it would
address many of the issues the
builder had been experiencing with
their previous technology offerings.
Brunner liked the Apple-esque feel
of the app, the quality and
assortment of products, and that
there were no monthly fees or
hidden costs. It was the perfect mix
of a solid product for an honest price.
He brought this solution to the
Houston office of M/I Homes to
show them how they could improve
the technology experience for their
customers.
M/I Homes started in 1976 in
Columbus, OH, where their
corporate office still resides, but has
now expanded with offices in 17
locations throughout the country.
Houston is the fastest-growing
market in the country for new home
construction, and also where M/I
Homes first started with Clare
Controls. In Houston, I met with Jay
McManus, the area president for
M/I Homes, to learn more about
their experience with providing
smart-home technology to their
customers.
Now, if you ask most builders
about their experience with
technology as a part of the home,
you will likely hear stories of
customers not understanding how to
use it, not wanting to spend the
money, or having problems getting
service with the system down the
road after the equipment’s warranty
expires. So, it was no surprise that
July/August 2019 | Residential Tech Today 37