This article was machine-translated from French and is being reviewed. Prices are in Algerian dinars excl. VAT.
The office automation aims for three outcomes: lighting that follows presence, HVAC that follows the schedule, and keyless access management. It does not replace alarms, fire detection, or electrician work. This guide presents common use cases, their limits, and checks before starting a project in Algiers.
In short
- Lighting: a presence detector and light sensor turn on only when useful. The detector must be properly set, otherwise it will turn off for a seated person.
- HVAC: schedule the timing with the manufacturer‑provided control. Do not cut a unit’s power with a simple module.
- Access: badge or app for restricted zones, with history. See TTLock smart lock.
- The power outages and Wi‑Fi quality determine the system’s reliability. Energy savings depend on the office: measure before and after, we do not publish percentages.
Use case 1: shared office and coworking
Several small teams share the same space. The needs are flexibility and consumption control.
Presence‑based lighting
A motion detector paired with a light sensor controls the lights: it turns on if someone is present and natural light is insufficient.
- The light threshold is set on site, with a lux meter, at the time and place of work.
- A motion detector senses movement, not presence. A stationary person in front of a screen may no longer be detected. Provide sufficient shut‑off timing or use a more sensitive presence detector.
- Always keep a manual switch that takes control back from automation.
Technology: motion and light detector, with a contactor or relay module on the circuit. For the module, see connected lighting and outlets.
Scheduled HVAC
You can program the unit to start before the team arrives and stop after they leave. During other times, a window‑opening sensor can cut HVAC to avoid cooling the outside.
- Most wall‑mounted units are controlled by infrared or a manufacturer Wi‑Fi module. Use that command.
- Do not cut the air‑conditioner power with a relay module. The compressor has its safety timers and you must follow the manufacturer’s procedure.
- A connected thermostat only works with equipment it can control. Check compatibility with your model before buying.
Access management
In a shared office, a card replaces the key. It shows who enters and when. Removing a person is done by deleting their card. With a TTLock lock, the deletion reaches the lock via Bluetooth or gateway. See badge, fingerprint or code.
Use case 2: small professional building
Multiple floors, multiple tenants, common areas lit all day.
Common area lighting
Stairs, corridors and parking are lit with timed detectors. Lighting stays on for a few minutes after detection. Set the timing so no one is left in darkness mid‑stairwell. A reduced night lighting level can complement the system if your fixtures allow it.
Domestic hot water
If the water heater is electric, time programming uses a power contactor installed by an electrician. Do not control it with a low‑power module.
Zone HVAC
Zone or floor control avoids cooling empty rooms. Programming stays simple: comfort temperature during the day, lower at night, off at night. Record actual temperatures to detect anomalies, such as equipment running continuously.
Use case 3: clinic or sensitive building
In a clinic, some functions are vital and fall under dedicated systems: nurse call, fire detection, backup power. See how a nurse call system works and fire detection maintenance. AsloTech provides maintenance for nurse call systems. Home automation should not replace them.
Power monitoring
Many UPS units have a USB port or network card with alert and auto‑shutdown software. You can receive a message in case of outage or low battery before the autonomy is exhausted.
Switch to generator
Switching between public grid and a generator is handled by a source changeover switch, installed and set up by an electrician. A home‑automation module must not replace it. Switch time is read from the equipment datasheet.
Use case 4: IT office and server room
Equipment is sensitive to heat and outages.
Controlled outlets: handle with care
A smart plug is suitable for devices such as chargers, displays or a printer. It is not suitable for a server or network storage: cutting power results in an abrupt shutdown that can corrupt data. A server shuts down cleanly via software from the UPS. See UPS: how to choose power.
Temperature and humidity
Sensors in the room send an alert when temperature or humidity goes outside the range specified by your equipment’s technical sheets. An alert is useful, but it does not replace a properly sized room air‑conditioning unit whose failure is monitored.
Use case 5: store or small shop
Display lighting
A scheduled program turns the display on and off before opening and after closing, with a different rule for weekends if needed. A Wi‑Fi module can do this, with a manual switch as backup.
Security outside opening hours
A motion detector can turn on the lights at night. This function deters, but it does not replace an intrusion alarm or a camera. Read alarm or CCTV: which one do you need and wired or wireless alarm.
Store air‑conditioning
The air‑conditioner is programmed according to opening hours, with the control provided by the manufacturer.
Feasibility criteria
Before investing, check:
- The electrical supply. If outages are frequent, provision a UPS for the router and affected equipment.
- Wi‑Fi. Weak or unstable coverage penalizes wireless modules. Evaluate coverage at each module’s location: how many Wi‑Fi access points to provide.
- Circuits. One circuit per zone (lighting, air‑conditioning, outlets) simplifies control. Mixed circuits make the project more complex.
- Neutral wire. Some modules need it in the mounting boxes.
- Maintenance. Assign who updates the app, changes sensor batteries and manages accounts.
Where to start
Step 1: measure. Record the electricity bill and identify where consumption is highest. In a small office, air‑conditioning and lighting are the first items to examine.
Step 2: pilot project. Equip one room or zone. Compare consumption before and after over a long enough period, in the same season.
Step 3: expand. Move to other zones, then to access points, if the pilot is satisfactory.
Step 4: maintain. Check sensor batteries per the manufacturer’s sheet, change account passwords and review history from time to time.
Points of vigilance
- Power outages. A router without a UPS stops the Wi‑Fi modules. When power returns, a module must return to its desired state: set it in the app.
- Heat. A consumer Wi‑Fi module is rated for a specific temperature range (the Sonoff MINIR4 is advertised up to 40 °C). In summer, avoid enclosures exposed to the sun and read the manufacturer’s sheet.
- 230 V security. All connections in a junction box or panel are the work of a qualified electrician.
- Data. The Sonoff, Moes and TTLock apps store accounts and histories in a cloud. An access history associates a name with a time: inform users. See client obligations in CCTV for the data protection framework. AsloTech can help you prepare steps with ANPDP (National Authority for Personal Data Protection); this assistance is not legal advice.
For a building overview, start at the page home automation and connected buildings. To choose between wired and wireless bus, read wireless home automation or KNX. For the budget, read CCTV installation cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much energy savings can be expected?
It depends on usage, room orientation, installation condition and automation settings. We do not publish percentages because we have no figures to cite. Measure consumption before and after on a pilot project, using the bill or a sub‑meter.
Do you need an expert to program home automation?
For wireless modules like Sonoff or Moes, pairing and simple scenarios are done in the app. Connecting to 230 V remains an electrician’s job. For a KNX system, a trained ETS software integrator is required; AsloTech studies KNX projects on quote. See wireless home automation or KNX.
Can home automation manage multiple buildings?
Yes, with products that have a cloud account: one account can group devices from multiple sites. A local KNX system can also be monitored remotely via an IP interface. In both cases, define who administers, who has access, and how remote access is secured.
What happens during a power outage?
Wi‑Fi modules stop with mains and the router. When power returns, they resume the state set in the app. A UPS on the router keeps local and remote commands during the outage. Security lighting and vital systems remain dedicated installations.
Need an opinion on your site? A technician can come to assess your needs and advise you.