IoT inspires growth in the lighting industry

The transformation of the lighting industry to light emitting diode (LED) solutions is the biggest disruption the lighting industry has ever witnessed. Advanced lighting control and light management solutions have a significant opportunity to bring to life the benefits of LED lighting in terms of energy efficiency, advanced functionality and exploitation of growth in new applications beyond illumination.

Cloud-based light management systems (LMS) solutions will be a key enabler for new business models for lighting, such as remote management and control and light-as-a-service (LaaS), while LED and IoT adoption will drive growth in this sector.

"The next generation of lighting control and light management systems (LC-LMS) are enabling the lighting industry to accelerate into a new paradigm beyond the recent era of energy efficiency and total cost of ownership,” said Frost & Sullivan Energy & Environment Partner John Raspin. “In the next five years, LC-LMS will facilitate the transformation to value adding LED lighting to bring benefits in terms of comfort, health and wellness, connectivity, internal positioning and business productivity."

According to European Market for Lighting Controls and Light Management Systems, new analysis from Frost & Sullivan’s Homes & Buildings Growth Partnership Service programme, the market is hindered by:

• Affordability and return on investment for end users restricting the pace of LC-LMS adoption.
• The lack of certified technical training to build awareness across stakeholders and channel partners in relation to the latest developments in LC-LMC product variety and options for IoT. 

Companies such as Philips Lighting, Schneider Electric, ABB and Zumtobel Group are bringing lighting to the centre of an integrated connected home solution rather than focusing solely on lighting as a functional application.

“The United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Czech Republic and Poland will be the fastest growing markets with office, residential, healthcare, and education being the largest segments,” noted Raspin. “Real estate investment, including retro-fits, in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and Scandinavia are expected to be strong in the next few years, which will accelerate growth in the office and residential segments.”