Please give us a brief overview of how the zunpulse ecosystem works – app, devices, etc.
As an IoT home tech company, zunpulse entails end-to-end home automation to provide a truly smart experience to homeowners. The IoT and AI-based products range across three main categories — automated lighting, security, and control.
zunpulse transfers the power of modern technology to its customers through the single zunpulse app. The app allows the customer to smartify their homes with a single click. As customers set out to be a part of the zunpulse ecosystem they find their lives to be inevitably simple and technologically advanced.
Through zunpulse customers can add multiple layers of security along with the promise of a healthier life. These IoT-based products run on voice commands compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. With the control of all home appliances via a single mobile app, we are taking the level of comfort and convenience a notch up for all Indian consumers.
The term “smart home” is very subjective in nature. What, in your view, are the basic attributes of a smart home, and what is the bouquet of solutions that zunpulse brings to the table?
A smart home is a home that uses a convenient home setup where internet-connected appliances and devices are used to allow the residents with remote control and monitoring of all the devices and systems, such as heating, lighting, music etc. A smart home creates a network of devices through the internet which enables the residents with ease to control functions of all the connected devices and appliances through an application. A smart home enhances the experience of the residents by providing added control to functions such as security access to the home, temperature, lighting, and a home theater remotely.
Smart products are currently provided in scattered options or select value propositions across the industry. These products work on different platforms and user interfaces- which makes it difficult for the end-user to experience the range of smart products. Therefore, to make the experience of smart products in its entirety easy, we are offering a plethora of smart products on a single Made-In-India mobile application.
Apart from the core benefits we also offer comfort and convenience to the users, the products enable home automation for efficient utilization of electricity at homes and offices. In the smart home segment, smart bulbs, plugs along with Wi-Fi-enabled security devices like smart doorbells, downlights, and more are a few of the many selling products across the leading e-commerce websites such as Amazon, Flipkart, and Snapdeal. Customers can also make their purchases at the zunpulse website as well.
“Some of the products that can help us automate and control our non-smart products are smart plug, smart TV remote, and smart AC remote.”
To the extent possible, how does zunpulse incorporate the dimension of “home safety and security” in its home automation products?
We consider using our smartphones for the majority of the tasks like paying electricity bills, shopping, and net banking. Moreover, we take care of our comfort and make our lifestyle smart, but we often forget about our home and its security. Now taking care of the security of the home would be as easy as doing online shopping. One can install smart home security devices at one’s house and enable stringent security measures. Smart home security systems are devices like smart doorbells, smart door locks, smart cameras, and security alarm systems. They provide us with security or protection which each one of us must have these days. The devices are secured enough to promise us the safety of our house.
We at zunpulse host a range of smart home security products like smart camera, smart doorlock, smart doorbell, and smart security system.
Zunpulse, as we understand, identifies itself as an “IoT home tech” company. Does zunpulse manufacture all or some of its products?
In the world of hardware, there are three major angles software, hardware, and firmware. Hardware and software are dependent upon the extent of backward integration one can do, that’s what makes for the differentiating factor and that’s what stops one from being dependent on external help.
We as a company are at different levels of backward integration for different products. For energy monitor and smart bulb, the pollution sensor is entirely made in India so we develop them in-house. But for other products, the hardware side chips and sensors are not currently manufactured in India. So, we are in a way dependent on external sources.
Therefore, we are sourcing some components from outside India but as we are expanding, we are planning to indulge in backward integration by stepping into manufacturing and being self-sufficient in ourselves.
Do we therefore presume that zunpulse specializes in bringing products that can automate homes through the zunpulse app?
Yes, we at zunpulse specialize in automating Indian households and so far, we have impacted 1,00,000 homes and aim to impact 7 million homes in the next five years.
“Customers are inclining towards easy and effective IoT-based smart solutions.”
We appreciate that zunpulse also provides “control” solutions on existing (non-zunpulse) gadgets like televisions, ACs, etc. Tell us more.
Smart home automation devices make our lives easier than before. One can make their devices turn into smart devices just by using smart add-on devices like a smart plug. One can be eligible for commanding their devices using various voice assistants and would be able to control them as per their will. Keeping our smartphones in hand for the whole day is pretty normal but controlling our appliances like television or air conditioners from our smartphones can be cool and convenient for us. Smart home automation devices make our lives more convenient and smarter!
Some of the products that can help us automate and control our non-smart products are smart plug, smart TV remote, and smart AC remote.
How do you see the current market for smart home solutions? Who is your typical buyer?
The relentless demand for smart home solutions across the world comes off as a steady assurance about its exponential market growth. As per recent reports, the market growth for smart home solutions is likely to reach $13,574 million by 2026. Customers are understandably inclining towards easy and effective IoT-based smart solutions for their homes. zunpulse facilitates its users to a numerous range of smart products that entail end-to-end home automation to provide a truly smart experience to homeowners which makes our buyer anyone with a steady Wi-Fi connection.
We observe that zunpulse has exclusively used the e-commerce platform for selling its products. Does it make the products cost-effective? Do you intend selling through the conventional brick-and-mortar store route?
zunpulse aims to empower the users by smartifying every house across the country. We center our focus on consumer behaviour which suggests that when people decide to smartify their homes they turn to e-commerce platforms to buy smart home products but there is also a huge lot that steps out and prefers the conventional brick and mortar stores and we are present there as well.
How are you addressing the issue of after sales service and support?
We at zunpulse understand that the market for smart home solutions is relatively new and growing continuously. While zunpulse renders IoT-based smart solutions for homes, we also extend a robust after-sales service and support. Customers can reach out to us at support@zunpulse.com. Along with that, we have also come up with an effective zunpulse chat support which is built to address the consumer queries within 2 minutes and is available 7 days a week.
“IoT categories are segments where business can take up pace only after the customer is well informed and educated.”
Given that home automation is fairly nascent in the Indian market, how do you see the market in the coming years? What will be your biggest business growth drivers?
An organic growth, fuelled by tech is the right state to be in for any startup. More importantly, a team with varied complementary skill-sets which has withstood multiple roadblocks and was boot-strapped for a long-time built a lot of confidence. Challenges are inevitable for any startup. In our case, we are creating a category of home-tech products (IoT) and services for home-owners, which by definition is a hard business to build.
We had to educate the customers rather than sell to them. IoT categories are segments where business can take up pace only after the customer is well informed and educated.
Lastly, how encouraged are you by the recent recognition by “Startup India”? How will this award inspire zunpulse to scale further heights?
We are honoured and grateful to have received this award. It is a proud moment for the whole zunpulse team to receive this glorious accolade and interact with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. We started five years ago with one aim in mind – to solve the supply and consumption of electricity in Indian homes. We aim to empower every home with smarter choices for every electrical need. Receiving this award has reignited our motivation and inspired us to stay firmly on the ground whilst aiming for the stars.
