Vacation Mode Setup – Configuration Request Workflow

Purpose

This workflow is used when a customer wants to prepare their home for travel, extended absences, seasonal residences, or vacations by automating security, lighting, climate control, monitoring, and notifications.

The goal is to protect the home, reduce energy usage, maintain awareness, and create the appearance of occupancy while the customer is away.

Customer Trigger Phrases

Examples:

• Set up Vacation Mode
• I'm going out of town
• Help me prepare my home for vacation
• Secure my house while I'm away
• Monitor my home while traveling
• Reduce energy usage while away
• Make my house look occupied
• Create vacation automations
• Protect my home during travel
• Set up away mode

Step 1 – Ticket Creation

Freshdesk creates a ticket.

Category:

Smart Living

Request Type:

Vacation Mode Setup

Status:

New

Step 2 – In Review

Determine the customer's goals.

Security

Examples:

• Protect against break-ins
• Monitor activity
• Receive alerts

Energy Savings

Examples:

• Reduce HVAC costs
• Reduce lighting costs
• Reduce unnecessary device usage

Property Monitoring

Examples:

• Water leaks
• Temperature monitoring
• Camera monitoring

Occupancy Simulation

Examples:

• Scheduled lighting
• Randomized lighting
• Routine activity simulation

Step 3 – Information Collection

Collect:

Travel Information

• Departure date
• Return date
• Length of absence

Property Information

• Primary residence
• Vacation property
• Seasonal property

Existing Smart Home Devices

Examples:

• Cameras
• Doorbell cameras
• Smart locks
• Security systems
• Smart lighting
• Smart plugs
• Smart thermostats
• Water leak sensors
• Garage controllers
• Alexa
• SmartThings

Customer Concerns

Examples:

• Security
• Water damage
• Package deliveries
• Pet monitoring
• Temperature control

Step 4 – Move to In Progress

Customer information is attached to the GHL contact.

Information passed includes:

• Travel dates
• Property information
• Existing devices
• Customer concerns

The SmartHomeConcierge.ai Bot begins vacation planning analysis.

Step 5 – Vacation Mode Assessment

Security Review

Review:

• Cameras
• Security systems
• Smart locks
• Door sensors
• Window sensors

Determine:

• Security gaps
• Monitoring opportunities

Lighting Review

Review:

• Interior lighting
• Exterior lighting
• Existing schedules

Determine:

• Occupancy simulation opportunities

HVAC Review

Review:

• Thermostat settings
• Seasonal conditions

Determine:

• Energy-saving opportunities
• Freeze protection requirements
• Heat protection requirements

Property Protection Review

Review:

• Water leak sensors
• Garage doors
• Appliances
• Environmental sensors

Determine:

• Risks during absence

Step 6 – Vacation Mode Optimization

Level 1 – No Purchases Required

Review and optimize:

Existing Security Systems

Examples:

• Arm schedules
• Alert settings
• Monitoring settings

Existing Cameras

Examples:

• Motion alerts
• Activity zones
• Recording settings

Existing Lighting

Examples:

• Scheduled lighting
• Occupancy simulation

Existing Thermostats

Examples:

• Vacation schedules
• Energy-saving settings

Level 2 – Existing Device Optimization

Identify capabilities already available.

Examples:

Alexa

• Away routines
• Security announcements

SmartThings

• Vacation automations
• Device monitoring

ecobee

• Vacation mode
• Occupancy controls

MyQ

• Garage monitoring
• Open-door alerts

Level 3 – Vacation Enhancement Recommendations

Only after optimization opportunities are exhausted.

Possible recommendations:

Security Cameras

Improve monitoring coverage.

Smart Lighting

Improve occupancy simulation.

Water Leak Sensors

Protect against water damage.

Smart Locks

Improve access control.

Environmental Sensors

Monitor temperature and humidity.

Step 7 – SmartHomeConcierge.ai Configuration Services

SmartHomeConcierge.ai may assist with:

Vacation Automation Setup

• Vacation routines
• Away schedules
• Occupancy simulations

Security Configuration

• Camera settings
• Alert settings
• Monitoring settings

Energy Configuration

• Thermostat schedules
• Smart plug schedules
• Lighting schedules

Smart Home Integration

• Alexa integration
• SmartThings integration
• Security system integration

Step 8 – Example Vacation Mode Workflow

Example:

When Vacation Mode is activated:

• Security system armed
• Cameras switched to enhanced monitoring
• Smart locks verified
• Garage door status verified
• Thermostat enters vacation schedule
• Water leak alerts enabled
• Randomized lighting schedule activated
• Motion notifications enabled
• Package alerts enabled
• Daily property status notifications delivered

Step 9 – Recommended Enhancements

Additional recommendations may include:

Security Cameras

Improve awareness while traveling.

Smart Lighting

Simulate occupancy.

Water Leak Sensors

Reduce risk of costly damage.

Smart Thermostats

Reduce energy usage.

Smart Plugs

Control electronics remotely.

Step 10 – Customer Response

Example:

"We reviewed your travel plans, property information, existing smart home devices, and security concerns. Several opportunities were identified to protect your property, reduce energy costs, and improve monitoring while you are away."

Step 11 – Resolved

Work Completed:

• Vacation review completed
• Security review completed
• Automation opportunities identified
• Recommendations delivered

Status:

Resolved

SMS Sent:

"Your SmartHomeConcierge.ai Vacation Mode recommendations are ready. Please review the recommendations and contact us if you would like assistance implementing them before your trip."

Step 12 – Closed

Customer confirms recommendations received.

Status:

Closed

Knowledge Capture

Document:

• Property type
• Travel duration
• Devices involved
• Automations created
• Recommendations provided
• Customer outcome

Freshdesk Bot Learning

Capture:

• Common vacation concerns
• Successful vacation automations
• Effective property protection strategies

SmartHomeConcierge.ai Bot Learning

Learn:

• Successful Vacation Mode configurations
• Common travel-related risks
• Effective monitoring workflows
• Future vacation automation opportunities

Goal

The goal of this workflow is to secure, monitor, and optimize the customer's home while they are away by leveraging their existing smart home ecosystem to improve security, reduce energy consumption, protect the property, and provide peace of mind throughout their absence.