For nearly two decades, Kalyan Basu has worked in the Seattle tech sector, immersing himself in the world of automation and artificial intelligence. He understands the potential of technology to make life easier, efficient, and in his words, "brilliant." But knowing the tech is one thing—implementing it into a living space to create a cohesive, functional home is another challenge entirely.

When it came time to select a smart home system for his own residence, Kalyan wasn't looking for a collection of disjointed devices. He had three non-negotiable criteria: interoperability, ease of use, and aesthetics. He wanted a smart home system that didn't just work, but worked together, looking good while doing it.

By centering his home around the Brilliant Smart Home System, Kalyan transformed his living space into a model of modern convenience and security. His story offers a practical roadmap for homeowners looking to upgrade their lifestyle through intelligent design.

Ease and interoperability is the key to a smart home system

One of the biggest hurdles homeowners face is the frustration of juggling multiple different systems, devices, and apps to control lights, cameras, and music. For Kalyan, the priority was finding a smart home automation system that played nice with everything in his home.

"Interoperability with our numerous smart devices and systems," was his top priority.
Kalyan’s home is a combination of his preferred devices and systems. He utilizes a robust Ring ecosystem that includes cameras and door openers, a Genie garage door system, and Amazon Alexa for voice control and televisions. Without a central control, managing his home would be a chore.

Adam Bresson from SwitchOn Pro understood Mr. Basu’s requirements. He presented Brilliant as the unifying solution to support his client's smart home device brand preferences. Instead of opening the Ring app for the security cameras, the Genie app for the garage, and another app for smart lighting, everything converges on the Brilliant Smart Home System. This creates a single intuitive control point for the home's operations, making the technology serve the user, rather than the user serving the technology.

Smart home security integration enhances peace of mind

Security is often the primary driver for smart home adoption, and Kalyan’s setup demonstrates why deep integration matters. While he has a Ring Alarm system, he found that controlling it through the Brilliant panel was easier for his family than using the native Ring app.

"I actually find it easier to do through Brilliant rather than directly through Ring," Kalyan notes. He mentions that Brilliant is "always available" and online.

This integration changed his daily routine. Previously, before Brilliant launched integration with Ring Alarm, security was its own siloed ecosystem disconnected from Kalyan’s Brilliant experience. Now, arming the system, checking gate access, viewing the front doorbell and security cameras all happen on the same familiar system he uses to dim and automate the lights.

The family factor

A smart home isn't smart if only one person knows how to use it. Accessibility for the whole household is crucial. Kalyan’s wife utilizes the system primarily for access control. When an alert comes through that someone is at the side yard or front gate, she can quickly glance at the Brilliant panel, see who it is, and grant admission.

Because the controls are on the wall—and not buried in a personal smartphone—the security features are accessible to everyone in the home, instantly. This shared, intuitive access ensures the technology supports the entire household, not just the most tech savvy user.

Smart lighting control is both functional and aesthetic

Many smart home solutions rely on smart bulbs, but Kalyan chose a more integrated approach.

"I actually like Brilliant more... particularly for the deep integration into the lighting system, the electrical wiring of the house," he explains.

By replacing the light switch, the Brilliant system controls the electrical load directly. This allows for sophisticated automation scenes that work flawlessly. Kalyan uses the system for:

• Automated lighting schedules: Lights adjust automatically based on the time of day. Brilliant can also control lights via motion-activation.
• Garden lighting: The exterior ambiance is fully automated via Brilliant scene automation.
• Vacation mode: When traveling, the house mimics occupancy with flexible lighting schedules, adding a layer of security by making the home appear occupied.

Beyond function, the panels themselves add a touch of modern elegance. Kalyan notes that when entertaining, the aesthetics of the panels are a conversation starter, allowing him to show guests how easy the home is to operate.

The benefit of a professional smart home installation

While many DIY enthusiasts tackle smart homes themselves, Kalyan found that working with a professional system architecture made all the difference. Kalyan worked with Adam Bresson from SwitchOn Pro to bring his vision to life.
Adam didn't just install devices; he architected the integration. He ensured Brilliant and Ring Alarm worked together seamlessly.  He connected the Genie garage door openers and ensured the electrical wiring for the lighting was handled correctly. He set up scene automations, timings and more to personalize the system to Kalyan’s specifications.

"He's the guy who really architected the integration in his mind and implemented it seamlessly," Kalyan says. "So I really owe a great debt of gratitude to Adam. 
For homeowners with complex needs—integrating gates, multiple camera angles, and varied lighting loads—working with a professional integrator can be the difference between a system that simply functions and one that truly impresses.

Staying connected when you are away

A smart home provides value even when you are miles away. Remote operation is a key use case for Kalyan. Whether he is traveling for business or pleasure, he maintains a virtual presence in his Seattle home.

Using the Brilliant app on his phone, Kaylan can drop in on camera views to understand what is going on at home and check the status of his lighting automations and security system. This mirrors the experience he has on the wall panels at home, providing a consistent user interface whether he is on the couch or in another time zone.

Future-proofing the home

The technology landscape changes rapidly, and a good system adapts to those changes. The takeaway here is that a smart home isn't a static product; it's a platform that grows with you. Kalyan is already planning his next upgrades.

• Climate Control: He plans to add an Ecobee smart thermostats to control the heating and furnace through the central system.
• Audio: He's planning to connect Sonos speakers, allowing for music control directly from the Brilliant wall panels.

Because his core system is designed for interoperability, adding these new distinct elements won't create more clutter; they will simply become part of his Brilliant system.

Transforming the living experience

Kalyan Basu’s experience highlights the shift from "tech" to "lifestyle." By focusing on a system that prioritizes ease of use and aesthetic integration, he created a home that is integrated with the way his family lives.

Whether it is to automating the garden lighting, arming the security system, or opening the front gate with a tap, Brilliant melds the individual technologies, leaving behind a more efficient, secure, and enjoyable living environment.

As Kalyan puts it, "I just think Brilliant offers the best integrated and most aesthetically satisfying experience."

Smart Home Questions and Considerations 

Kalyan provides an excellent roadmap for homeowners considering their own smart home system. The key is to integrate the system into the lives and lifestyles of the homeowners. Here are a few things to think about:

What devices can I integrate with a smart home system?

Modern smart home controllers are designed to be agnostic. In Kalyan’s case, he successfully integrated Ring (cameras and security), Genie (garage doors), Amazon Alexa (voice and televisions), Brilliant Smart Dimmers (lighting), and plans to integrate Sonos (audio) and Ecobee (climate). The goal is to choose a controller that supports the major players in the tech space.

Is a smart home system difficult for non-tech family members to use?

It shouldn't be. A key success indicator is the "Acceptance Factor" (or spouse/family/children - who is using the system?) Brilliant’s in-wall smart panels bridge this gap better than phone apps because they are familiar like traditional switches and don't require a phone, app download or login once configured. Everyone can use a smart home panel.

Can smart homes improve security when traveling?

Yes. The best integrated systems offer a companion mobile app. This allows you to view camera feeds, unlock doors for pet sitters, or adjust lighting schedules to make the house look occupied from anywhere in the world. Brilliant offers a mobile app that allows for remote monitoring, light control, and system integration with Ring Alarm Security