End Users Willing to Pay for Skilled Providers
Nearly four in five security directors/managers intend to spend at least as much on security in 2011 as they did last year. SSI’s seventh Commercial End-User Study shows the recession loosening its grip on budgets, but clients are becoming more particular about their electronic security solutions and providers. A higher degree of IT capabilities and systems integration are among the heightened expectations.
©iStockphoto.com/Eric Hood
Commercial end users are looking to increase security expenditures. However, before you start counting your money, the question you have to ask yourself as an installing systems contractor is whether you have the evermore extensive IT/networking expertise those security directors/managers are also looking for. According to SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION‘s 2011 Commercial End-User Study, integrators and dealers are increasingly coming up short.
The data shows that 72 percent of commercial end users plan to soon boost security spending. At the same time, lacking IT skills is their primary complaint (42 percent) about security contractors. While that may be a bitter pill to swallow, it should prove inspirational to providers willing to adequately train and equip their businesses for success in the rising arena of networked security solutions.
There are plenty more lessons, insights and inside tracks for security integrators to pursue based on this year’s findings, in which the occasional sour notes are fortunately outnumbered by sweet tones. Highlights include: security directors are becoming younger and more technical; 90 percent agree to some extent security systems can reduce manpower needs; 70 percent rate IT security of equal or greater importance than physical security; frustrations with systems integration are rising; integrators have stepped up their customer service; and interest in megapixel cameras and video analytics is climbing.
SSI‘s seventh annual Commercial End-User Study was conducted in cooperation with Reed Exhibitions, organizers of the ISC events, and Campus Safety, School Bus Fleet and Metro magazines (for more, see Methodology box). Among the rest of the wealth of information to be discovered just ahead, although video surveillance continues to rule the technology/systems roost, sharp spikes were noted for intrusion detection, integrated systems and perimeter protection. Read on to elevate your chances for success in the commercial security marketplace.
View the 2011 Commercial End-User Study results.
Related articles:
85% of End Users Want More Video
Corporate End-User Study — Costs Now Critical for End Users
Special Report: End Users Speak Their Minds
End Users Explain How to Earn Their Business
End Users Explain What They Need, Want
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
About the Author
Scott Goldfine
Scott Goldfine is the marketing director for Elite Interactive Solutions. He is the former editor-in-chief and associate publisher of Security Sales & Integration. He can be reached at [email protected].
Related Content
Security Is Our Business, Too
For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.
A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.
