Solar creates a new market for their customers by offering Nest smart home products

6 september 2017

Press release
With an investment in Viva Labs in January Solar made an important move within digital business development as part of our business transformation. Now we are taking the next step into the future market of data-driven intelligent solutions and home automation by offering Nest smart home products.

Home automation is the Internet of Things for homeowners and Solar believes it will be a driver for technical installations. We see a strong link between technology and our business. Therefore, we are now launching Nest smart home products.

- An important part of our digital network strategy is for Solar to play an integrating role, making sure, the different smart devices work well together and with the particulars of the markets, we serve. That is now materialising, says CCO Hugo Dorph.

The Nest security and safety home product range in the Nordics consists of wireless cameras and smoke and CO alarms. All products are based on the use of sensors, algorithms and machine learning, to ease people's daily life, at the same time reduce their energy consumption, save money, and improve security.

- We focus on both customers and opportunities with great future value. Our customers think commercially, are productive and digital, and that is why Nest is a great match. We are able to offer a strong brand with innovative products, states CCO Hugo Dorph.

- We can combine this with our training activities in order to develop the installers' competences within the field of home automation. When educating and activating the installers, they get the tools to create a business within the smart home segment, and we create leads to our customers. This way, we make business opportunities both for our installers and for ourselves, emphasises CCO Hugo Dorph.

The Nest products will add to Solar's Viva smart home investment
The Nest products will add to Solar's investment in digital business development, as seen with the investment in the Viva smart home platform, the main network for all home automation devices from Solar.

The Viva smart home platform collects sensor and GPS data, then uses artificial intelligence to analyse the patterns and routines of the household. Based on this, the solution automatically programs itself, controlling heating, security, and lights without requiring user input.

Both Nest and Viva are committed to open standards and interoperability.

- We can deliver powerful smart home solutions through Viva's channel partners, such as security, energy and telecommunications companies that are looking for ways to add more value to their customer relations. They see Solar as a strong sourcing and logistics partner, underlines CCO Hugo Dorph.

For more information, please contact: Hugo Dorph, Chief Commercial Officer, Solar - tel. +45 2872 0080.

Solar Group is a leading sourcing and services company. Our core business centres on product sourcing, value-adding services and optimisation of our customers' businesses. Solar Group is headquartered in Denmark, generated revenue of approximately DKK 11.1bn in 2016 and has more than 3,000 employees. Solar is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. For more information, please visit: www.solar.eu

Solar owns approx. 20% of the Norwegian company Viva Labs, which gives us access to a simple and intuitive smart home platform. The solution is all about control, convenience and comfort and with an easy to use app. For more information on Viva Labs, please visit: meetviva.com

Nest is a US based start-up company. In 2010, two former Apple engineers found the market for home automation incomplete and developed The Nest Learning Thermostat and later on alarms and cameras. Google bought the company in 2014. For more information on Nest products, please visit https://nest.com

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