News You Can Use to Plan 2012
For better or worse, we can finally close the books on 2011. The year that began like a lion with the roar of revenue renewal ended like a lamb limping to keep pace in a listless economy. As we look onward and hopefully upward in the New Year, remember the axiom, past performance is no guarantee of future results. Whether or not last year was successful for your business, you must remain as dogged as ever in order to prosper in 2012.
To help your cause, SSI’s Industry Forecast Issue provides keen observations and advice from a large cross section of security’s sharpest minds. This includes Managing Editor Rodney Bosch’s CEO roundtable summit held during November’s First Alert Professional Convention and my compilation of authoritative opinions in the 2012 Industry Forecast.
While the onset of a New Year typically brings fresh perspectives and optimism, albeit likely more cautious than ever, the next 12 months will not occur in a vacuum. The challenges, trends and opportunities that define 2012 will at least to some extent have taken root during previous years. Hence the saying, hindsight is 20-20.
This brings us to the top 10 viewed news stories on SSI‘s Web site during 2011 (see list below). I’ll leave it to the reader to draw conclusions and theorize the ramifications of these items. What I will do is dig a bit deeper to point out 15 other stories that flew lower on the radar but I believe are extremely telling.
Installation & Monitoring
Industry takes a beating in mainstream media, but there are plenty of positive stories out there.
The economy wasn’t the only thing wreaking havoc as severe weather also took its toll.
Municipal monitoring heated up, but collaborating with alarm industry showed promise in Houston.
Progressive and aggressive residential security provider continues to push into new areas.
A parade of telecom and cable operators expanded into security and intensified competition.
A year after acquiring P1, CEO Tim Whall had revamped the commercial side of the business.
Manufacturing
What would have been the biggest transaction of 2011 fizzled, but it may not be dead yet.
UTC continued to shuffle its fire and security business in the wake of the GE Security acquisition.
Industry leader known for stability saw JoAnna Sohovich depart after just 15 months on the job.
Recession effects remained with layoffs at leading firms like Cisco and Schneider Electric (Pelco).
Famous brand that had targeted alarm business dissolves dealer program and sells off interests.
Technology
While many in physical security tout the “cloud,” it could be ushering in a new level of risk.
Although slowed by the recession, IP remains destined to dominate the surveillance space.
Near-field communications (NFC) drew notice as a way to make the smartphones an access card alternative.
Physical security information management has become one of the industry’s fastest growing areas.
Top 10 Viewed News of 2011
- $4.6M Wrongful Death Settlement Puts Focus on Industry Best Practices
- ACLU to Chicago: Stop Adding Surveillance Cameras
- APX Rebrands as Vivint, Adds Home Automation Products
- Tyco in the Hunt to Acquire Visonic
- Obama Signs Pair of Security-Friendly Bills Into Law
- Missouri Attorney General Sues Pinnacle Security for Unethical Sales Practices
- Stanley Seeks to Purchase Niscayah for $1.2B
- Tyco Splits ADT, Commercial Fire & Security From Flow Control Unit
- ADT Settles Suit With Family of Murdered Minnesota Woman
- SSI Honors Sales and Marketing Excellence at 2011 SAMMY Awards
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About the Author
Scott Goldfine, Contributing Editor
Scott Goldfine is Marketing Director with Elite Interactive Solutions, Inc. Prior to joining Elite, he served as Security Sales & Integration’s chief editor for about 25 years.
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