The classic task of light management is the variation of settings in a lighting installation with the purpose of adapting the light to changing visual user needs regarding comfort, ambiance and fulfilment of the visual task. This can be achieved by means of switching light sources, orienting their light emissions or regulating their luminous flux. It is therefore hardly surprising that the first electronic light control components were developed for use in residential spaces as well as the hotel and restaurant industry. Here, users occupy rooms at varying times of day and perform highly diverse tasks. The provision
of preset light scenes increases convenience in terms of operation for such applications since light sources no longer require individual switching and dimming.
In functional lighting, meaning the lighting of work places, variable lighting used to be the absolute exception up until the 1980s. It was only featured at highly specialised workstations, e.g. in CAD construction. The role of light management in work places did not become a factor until the 1990s. This development is mostly due to changing working conditions, but also to advanced occupational medicine findings and simplified implementation facilitated by technological progress.
To date, lighting comfort is a term predominantly used when referring to selectable light scenes. Comfort in itself, however, plays a relatively minor role at this point in time. Light scene control today actually serves to provide customisation and support for varying visual tasks.