Intelligent building technology for craft businesses

Crafts 4.0: How can craft businesses exploit the full potential of smart building technology in terms of comfort, cost savings, and energy efficiency?

This article is part of the special feature on digital craftsmanship.

Many craft businesses possess enormous untapped potential for automation . The first step towards digital building technology is usually taken by installing smart devices in offices, workshops, warehouses, and sales areas. However, it is only by utilizing cross-manufacturer networking and automation options that tradespeople can maximize comfort and safety in their operations – and thereby save time, energy, and money.

For this purpose, there are special automation solutions and standards such as "Matter" (see table). These allow manual routine tasks to be replaced by targeted programming, enabling devices from different manufacturers to communicate with each other and operate according to predefined rules . This works with almost all smart devices, such as thermostats and motion detectors, timers, cameras, as well as door sensors and lighting, climate control, and alarm systems.

Investments in smart devices often pay for themselves quickly through savings in energy and working time.

When the workshop thinks along


A smart workshop knows, for example, when it's time to clock out: With simple programming based on the "If This Then That" principle, lights and heating can be automatically switched off after a certain time following the last movement in the room . A motion detector at the workshop entrance not only switches the lights on and off but also sends a notification if activity is detected after closing time. This saves energy, increases safety, and reduces worry. An open workshop door after a certain time can also trigger an immediate notification.

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Such basic functions can often be implemented using intuitive services like IFTTT.com or the routines of popular smart home assistants such as Alexa or Google Home . Devices and apps communicate via the cloud, enabling convenient configuration from anywhere. Cloud usage is generally GDPR-compliant if the providers adhere to European standards. One disadvantage of the cloud is its dependence on an internet connection : if this fails, the programmed settings will also stop working.

From warehouse to salesroom 


Automation possibilities are not limited to the workshop: In the warehouse, sensors can report when material stocks fall below a critical level , thus triggering the reordering process . In offices and sales areas, lighting can be automatically adjusted to the time of day and the presence of people to create a pleasant atmosphere and save energy. Controlling ventilation and air conditioning systems based on temperature and air quality sensors is also conceivable.

However, highly complex scenarios are also possible, such as the connection between time tracking and climate control : When the last employee leaves the building, the heating system shuts down, the alarm system activates, and the lights are switched off. This is where more powerful platforms like Home Assistant or openHAB typically come into play. These open-source solutions offer a high degree of flexibility and the ability to integrate virtually any smart device. They can often also be operated locally, without a constant cloud connection, which increases reliability and data security.

The path to smart operations


Photo: © DHB

Getting started with automation is neither expensive nor complicated : It's recommended to begin with the manual processes that are most time-consuming or cumbersome in your operations. The next step is then to start with a single area, such as office lighting or workshop heating , and implement a simple automation solution.

Investments in smart devices often pay for themselves quickly through savings in energy and working time as well as a significant increase in comfort.

Automate and profit


Conclusion: Especially in times of rising energy costs, skilled labor shortages, and increasing security requirements, the digitalization of building technology offers clear advantages. Automated systems take over routine tasks, reduce potential errors, increase reliability, and free up more time for what matters most – the craftsmanship itself.

Automated systems provide more freedom for what matters most – the craft itself.

Checklist: Preparing automationsObjective

What goals should be achieved with automation in the company? (Energy savings, time efficiency, comfort, safety) 
What possible areas of employment are there in the company? (Workshop, office, fleet, warehouse, customer service)

Equipment inventory
What smart devices are already in place? (Thermostats, cameras, lighting, timers, sensors, machine controls, alarm systems) 
Which common automation standards or solutions are the devices compatible with? 

Automation processes
What scenarios and automations are desired? (Heating control based on presence/outside temperature, automatic lighting when movement occurs in the warehouse, push notifications in the event of water damage, power outage, or alarm)

Platform
Which automation solution is best suited to your goals, desired processes, and existing and future devices?

Compatibility
Smart home standard "Matter"
When purchasing new smart devices, it's advisable to pay attention to openness and established standards. One of the most important is "Matter": This was developed by technology companies to ensure cross-manufacturer compatibility of smart home devices. Therefore, Matter-certified devices work seamlessly with any Matter-compatible system. This usually means very simple networking in everyday life.

Checklist: Integrating and operating smart devices1. Network infrastructure
- Ensure stable Wi-Fi or LAN, especially in workshops and storage rooms
- Outsource "Internet of Things" devices to a separate network (Virtual Local Area Network)
- Also important: Regular firmware updates and secure passwords

2. Devices
- Connect compatible devices to the selected platform
- Prioritize devices with open application programming interfaces (APIs) or Matter support

3. Control options
- Configure mobile apps for remote access
- Use web dashboards for central control in the office or on tablets in the workshop
- Set up rights and user management for employees

4. Privacy and Security
- Critically examine cloud connections and/or rely on local control
- Enable two-factor authentication - Regularly check device access

5. Test runs
- Test and log automations individually
- Get feedback from the team
- Identify optimization opportunities

6. Maintenance
- Set a schedule for updates and system reviews
- Prepare for future expansions (machine integration, new devices or locations)
- Create and regularly update documentation

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