The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the growing network of connected devices that are able to communicate with each other and the internet. In the context of home automation, IoT refers to the use of these connected devices to automate various tasks and functions in a home. The IoT allows for the creation of a connected and intelligent home where devices can communicate with each other through a central hub or panels.

The primary operating standards for home automation technology are Wi-Fi, ZWave, Zigbee, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Thread. Older home automation standards, or protocols, include X10, Insteon, and Universal Powerline Bus (UPB). Each of these protocols has its own unique characteristics and capabilities, and the best one for your home will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Zigbee and Z-Wave are both wireless protocols that are commonly used for home automation, but Zigbee has a longer range and can support more devices, while ZWave has a lower power consumption and is better suited for battery-powered devices. Bluetooth, on the other hand, is a short-range wireless protocol that is commonly used for connecting devices within a single home. It is widely supported and relatively easy to use, but has a limited range and can only support a small number of devices.

Developed by CSA in consultation with member companies such as Apple, Google and Samsung, Matter is a common standard for the interoperability of Internet of Things.

MQTT is a standard messaging protocol for the Internet of Things (IoT). It is designed as an extremely lightweight publish/subscribe messaging transport that is ideal for connecting remote devices with a small code footprint and minimal network bandwidth. MQTT is used in a wide variety of industries today.

DALI is a type of lighting control technology that allows for the precise control of individual lights or groups of lights. DALI stands for "Digital Addressable Lighting Interface," and it is a communication protocol that allows lighting devices to be connected and controlled over a digital network. With DALI lighting, each light or group of lights can be individually addressed and controlled, allowing for a high degree of flexibility and customization in lighting systems.