Currently there are hundreds of smart devices for our home to domotize and automate all kinds of tasks, such as lights, lamps, appliances and much more. Of course, there are hundreds of manufacturers that are responsible for manufacturing and marketing these products, in addition, they also provide services in the cloud or Cloud to control your devices from anywhere. Nevertheless,what would happen if the manufacturer no longer has a cloud or simply does not work? This is something that can happen, and for this reason it is very important that it has certain characteristics that guarantee that we will be able to continue using them even if the manufacturer stops having Cloud, or simply disappears.
Cloud management: strengths and weaknesses
Currently the vast majority of devices have cloud management through the manufacturer’s Cloud, this greatly facilitates installation, start-up and also management through smartphones with the dedicated app. That a smart device has Cloud, has some very important strengths:
- Installation and commissioning very simple, no need for complex configuration at the network level or with the device in question.
- Ease when it comes to use the device from outside. No need to open ports on the router, use VPN for remote access or anything. For users it is as simple as using the manufacturer’s official app and using it.
However, relying on the cloud also has its drawbacks:
- We always have to have an Internet connectioneven if we are at home and want to use the device, everything will work through the cloud or Cloud.
- It is necessary that the service in the cloud is always operationalin case of fall, we cannot use the device.
- We depend on the manufacturer to be able to use it, if the manufacturer disappears, the cloud will do it with it, and we will have a hardware device that works but that we cannot use.
The solution to all the inconveniences is that the device in question also supports local management.
Make sure your device has local management
If the device you purchase has any form of local management, without the need to use the cloud or have an Internet connection to use it, you will always have it available to use it. In cases where you do not have an Internet connection, or the cloud is not operational at a certain time, we can use this local management to continue using the device without any problem, so it is highly recommended that you have this important feature. .
The strengths of having local management on a device are as follows:
- We do not depend on the manufacturer to continue providing Cloud support.
- It is not necessary to have an Internet connection.
- Can use it locally and privatelywithout the need to use the Internet for it.
- Can integrate it with home automation assistants such as Home Assistant.
Today, a large number of devices have management in the cloud for users who do not have the necessary knowledge to set up their own home automation system, but they also usually incorporate local management via the web, MQTT or other similar protocols to interact with home automation software such as Home Assistant. In our opinion, that we use Home Assistant in our home to perform really advanced automations and to be able to use dozens of brands of devices and that they work with each other, that a device has native compatibility or through a plugin with Home Assistant is essential.
For all these reasons, our recommendation is that you always look for and buy home automation devices that allow local managementwith the aim of having a plan B in the event that management from the Cloud does not work, and also to be able to integrate it into your home automation system.
