Neil Cox, president of SecurityLink from Ameritech, believes customer monitoring of a home security system via a pocket PC is the wave of the future. Peter Michel, president and CEO of Brink’s Home Security, contends that security companies must lead the way to a more integrated world of more protection included with home controls. And while there were some divergences of opinion, the two teamed to give a pair of forward-looking keynote addresses at the 2000 ISC Expo New York. The well-attended early morning meeting on Aug. 29 was followed by a roundtable discussion moderated by National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) Past President Dan Jacquish.

As the first speaker, Michel discussed the importance of a three-way partnership between a security company, its customers and public safety providers, including police and fire departments. He also talked briefly of the need for the various industry organizations to consolidate their messages into one voice.

“We must integrate security equipment into every home control backbone,” Michel says. “Customers will be getting more access to services from various sources. Our industry has to be ready to provide services via wireless or broadband.”

Cox also spoke of the importance of wireless and broadband technology in the coming years. However, he clearly believes more strongly in a faster wave of high technology. Speaking of “Project Bluetooth,” a joint project by many of the technology industry’s leaders (including Nokia, Ericcson and Motorola), he contends the wireless standard expected to come from the effort will change how people use the technology in their homes. “There will be a chip in every appliance,” he adds. “For example, your refrigerator will be able to tell you when the meat you placed in it two weeks ago is spoiled.”

Cox also demonstrated a wireless pocket PC that he believes will be a customer’s own personal security monitoring device in the near future. The technology is coming shortly to allow users to check video of their own homes or businesses via the small screen of a pocket PC and to make their own choices about response in a possible emergency situation.

While Cox and Michel had different opinions of how fast new technology and consolidation would change the security market, both were able to agree on what those in the security business must do to keep their companies ahead of the game.
“You must be ready to move quickly with change,” Michel says. “It is already becoming a case of adapt or be left behind.”

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