Researchers at ABI say that functions such as supply chain management, enterprise resource planning, and customer relationship management were designed for the enterprise but make sense in the home: Now that more homes have broadband access and networks, those functions can be useful to people in their homes. The report discusses connecting security, entertainment, HVAC, lighting, and appliances. By 2008, ABI expects the home automation market to grow to $3.8 billion.
It's a bit of a stretch to talk about CRM and supply chain management in the home, but it makes a clever analogy. Some home automation functions should prove useful, while others will likely be fun but useless.