Smart Home Interoperability: Does It Matter?

This IDC Market Perspective analyzes the importance of interoperability in the smart home, from the perspectives of both vendors and consumers."Greater interoperability in the smart home is vital for one day achieving the vision of a seamlessly connected and autonomous digital experience in the home. However, vendors pushing for standardization around device protocols are vastly overstating the significance of interoperability from a consumer perspective and risk becoming detached from the realities of today's smart home dynamics. An important nuance needs to be understood: a lack of interoperability is not a barrier to smart home device adoption, but the presence of improved interoperability can be a market driver over the long term." - Adam Wright, research manager, IDC's Smart Home and Office Devices program"Smart home vendors should focus on creating great experiences within specific zones of the smart home. Consumers will appreciate the benefits of great smart home security or fitness experiences, without ever having to know or think about interoperability." - Frank Gillet, research VP, IDC's Future Consumer Agenda program