Power Home Technologies 32-member team receive training at Monitronics Dallas headquarters.
By Ashley Willis
RALEIGH, N.C. — In an effort to pursue its own brand identity, Power Home Technologies (PHT) has opted to move to Monitronics International's dealer program.
Formerly an authorized dealer for Vector Security, Raleigh, N.C.-based PHT has installed more than 30,000 security systems throughout the entire Southeast region. Joining Monitronics' dealer program will help the company create new sales and recruiting opportunities PHT CEO Ben Brookhart tells SSI.
"To be able to put your own yard sign that has your name and brand on it allows your business to grow a whole lot faster," he says. "With the territory that we cover, it allows us to become much more noticeable in the communities that we service."
The program does not require dealers to market Monitronics; rather, the goal is for companies to market themselves, Monitronics Vice President of Sales and Dealer Development Bruce Mungiguerra tells SSI.
"We found it to be very successful for our dealer partners to market themselves in their communities as a local alarm company," Mungiguerra says. "The positive is that they grow in multiple communities and continue to increase their footprints. That kind of differentiates us from other programs.
As PHT transitioned to a new dealer program, Brookhart rounded up 32 members of his team to attend Monitronics' MoniX training in Dallas, which began March 21. Team members learned installation processes, sales and marketing tips, and recruiting techniques at the three-day all-inclusive training.
As many as 240 dealers have completed the training, which occurs once every quarter for every new dealer that joins the program, says Mungiguerra. "Usually a company's owner, sales manager and office coordinator attends the training," he says. "However, we took the opportunity to have one large training group just for PHT. We wanted to make sure we kicked off the relationship as a positive for both companies."
With nearly 100 percent of its business being residential, PHT chose Monitronics' program because it allows dealers to sell the newest technology, says Brookhart. Since joining the program, PHT has contracted with Interlogix, Tri-Ed and Alarm.com.
"Alarm.com offers Z-wave devices, such as thermostat control, lock control and IP cameras," Brookhart says. "We believe those are all services that are really going to change the industry."
Monitronics provides monitored security system services to more than 700,000 residential customers and commercial clients through its authorized dealers. PHT will use Monitronics as a central station to monitor its accounts throughout the Southeast region.
Ashley Willis is associate editor for SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION. She can be reached at (310) 533-2419.