Hitches & Glitches, a progressive UAE-based home maintenance company - part of the Farnek Group, has signed an exclusive 'smart home' partnership with Gadgitech M E, the distributor of the latest branded gadgets and accessories for smartphone, tablets and laptops across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

 

Through the partnership agreement, Hitches & Glitches will gain a better understanding of the latest smart home technology and ongoing training of new gadgets and devices, to broaden their home maintenance offering, said a statement.

 

Meanwhile, Gadgitech will be able to expand its sales and distribution capabilities by offering comprehensive installation and after sales service support and other smart home packages, it said.

 

Markus Oberlin, chief executive officer, Farnek, said: “The cost of a smart home varies, but it is not uncommon for some householders to spend over Dh500,000 ($136,097) to get their homes kitted-out with the latest automated technology. With that sort of investment, these more discerning consumers will want a maintenance service to match their smart homes.

 

“With the popularity of smartphones and tablets which can be configured to control a whole host of devices, offering 360 degree solutions for those home owners who like to be in control of their properties at all times - especially remotely, we believe that this is an emerging home maintenance trend that is here to stay.”

 

The firm's staff will also be trained by Gadgitech’s professional technicians, how to install and service these smart devices and show them how to explain the features and benefits of living in a smart home.

 

Mohamed Issa, managing partner, Gadgitech, said: “Hitches & Glitches is a successful UAE-based home maintenance company that has been built on reliability, quality workmanship and value-for-money and today, it operates over 100 vehicles, employs more than 300 highly trained professionals and serves over 10,000 customers across the UAE. And that does not include Farnek, the commercial arm of the group which celebrated its 35th anniversary earlier this year.

 

“Hitches & Glitches also has state-of-the-art training facilities, where we can regularly update their technicians, about the latest smart home technology and products.”

 

Gadgitech distributes hundreds of different devices and gadgets throughout the UAE and the wider region, through top retailers such as Ace, Carrefour, Jumbo, Sharaf DG and Plug Ins. Initially the partnership will focus on two solutions where Hitches & Glitches will be the preferred installation and service partner. 

 

The first is the ‘Withings Home’ monitoring system, which allows users to connect in HD to your home anywhere, day and night, in just 30 seconds.

 

“The ‘Withings Home’ also monitors indoor air pollution, with real time reports on the state of indoor air quality in your home, which can be ten times more polluted than outdoors,” said Issa.

 

The other solution, the ‘Elgato Avea Lamp,’ will transform homes with beautiful dynamic light moods, and can be controlled by your smart device. Thereafter other ingenious smart home products to come online include the ‘Netatmo Welcome’ facial recognition home security camera, which will identify a person walking past and update your smart device.

 

The new products will also be launched via the Hitches & Glitches new online Lifestyle Store, which will feature a ‘Smart Home Automation Systems’ section dedicated to automated gadgets and devices for smart homes, said the statement.

 

Hitches & Glitches will not only sell, but deliver and install all of the featured products across the UAE, as well as offer tips and hints about technology, as well as introducing more products such as lighting solutions, temperature control devices and energy saving technologies, it added. - TradeArabia News Service