Hardly anything.

Simply install Avanti Smart-ready luminaires and controllers, or retrofit – Casambi modules into standard wall switches to control existing lamps and luminaires.

Unlike most professional lighting control systems, which need to be planned, fitted and commissioned by technical experts, Avanti Smart requires no new wiring and no network hardware (other than the light fittings themselves). And because Avanti Smart doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi, there’s no need for a gateway such as a router or bridge. Even if there’s no Wi-Fi network nearby at all, Avanti Smart will work fine. As for commissioning, it’s simple enough to be done by users themselves through the Casambi app.

But it’s still sophisticated enough for more complex installations: facilities managers can easily set themselves up as administrators and limit which functions are made available to general users.

Avanti Smart’s revolutionary system is based on Bluetooth Low Energy, the only low-power radio communication technology that’s built into every modern smartphone, smart watch, laptop and tablet. It provides robust, professional-level smart lighting control from almost any mobile device – and installation couldn’t be simpler.

Unlike many ‘smart’ products, Avanti Smart-enabled products can receive firmware updates over-the-air when required, making the system futureproof.

Smart lighting is a game changer for lighting designers. No longer are lighting controls an extra or an after thought – now designers can build flexibility into how spaces are lit from the very outset and provide an immersive, interactive experience.

Avanti Smart makes it easier than ever to use smart lighting to take your designs to the next level.

Designers can introduce ‘human-centric’ lighting, tuning the tone and brightness of light at different times of day to keep people happy, focused and alert. Lighting installations can change for morning, afternoon and evening, or even follow the sunrise and sunset on each day.

And because no new wiring is needed, Avanti Smart can bring cutting-edge control even to protected historic buildings and hard-to-access areas. Then there’s the opportunity to go beyond light by using sensors built into light fittings to respond to different circumstances and share the data in the cloud for all kinds of features.

There are numerous so-called ‘smart’ lighting systems available – and some are smarter than others. In the past they have mostly been based on Wi-Fi, ZigBee or both: ZigBee to talk to the luminaires, and Wi-Fi to talk to the mobile device. Neither system is ideally suited to controlling lighting.

They’re prone to interference, require a strong network signal at all times throughout the whole area where lights are in operation, and rely on a gateway (such as a router or bridge) to communicate with luminaires, which introduces a single point of failure, making the whole system more vulnerable.