During the Middle Ages, the most effective line of defense against intruders was a moat that surrounded the entire perimeter of the citadel. To monitor the activities around the castle, guards simply raised or lowered the drawbridge, preventing vagrants and sworn enemies from entering the premises.

Today, alligator-infested moats have been replaced by more civilized means. Although guards remain a steadfast necessity, moats and drawbridges have been substituted by telephone-entry devices and electronic barrier gates.

The evolution continues with the advent of technological advancements. Telephone-entry units have gone from stand-alone systems to software-based programs integrated with other forms of security like CCTV.

These noticeable improvements are also made apparent by the ease of installation. Tasks, such as programming, have become simplified; so much so that dealers are finding that installation time is dramatically reduced.

The relationship of improved technology and end-user demand is placing installing companies in a very profitable niche. According to Security Sales’ 1998 Dealer Survey, dealers installed an average of 29.4 access control systems in 1998. This equates to a 16.5-percent increase from 1997.

Integration is also opening the door to new construction as well as system upgrades. It’s also putting security manufacturers to the challenge of designing stand-alone systems that accommodate software-based programs and tie into a multitude of applications.

What will this do for installing dealers? It gives them the ability to go after high-end jobs that were once out of their reach.

Phone Entry Is Standard in Apartments, Condos

As new construction on apartment and gated communities progress at a firm pace, installing companies are also experiencing a constant workflow.

“Almost every new community has a telephone-entry system,” says Alan Floren, president of High Security Alarm Systems Inc. of Orlando, Fla. “We work with anywhere from apartments to high-end residential communities.”

CCTV Gives Tenants Clear View of Visitors

High Security will outfit an apartment dwelling or condominium complex with not only a telephone entry unit, but with an entire integrated package. This includes tying the telephone-entry system with CCTV.

Conduit Leads to Install Concerns

Many installing companies offer an all-in-one package for an access control install. They will not only install the telephone-entry system and mount added equipment, they will even do the trenching themselves.

Technology Improves Programming Methods

“Technology has changed dramatically,” says Floren. “Now all you have to do is go to the [job] site with a keyboard and plug it into [the system] to add or delete names.”

Floren believes improvements in these systems have not only enabled alarm companies to increase apartment and gated community revenue, but paved the way for high-end residential jobs as well.

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