Control on the Go via Mobile Devices

It’s important to realize that many of these home automation-type capabilities are already being offered to the masses. You’re bound to come across at least one television commercial each night detailing such features being offered by a local phone carrier or cable provider. Wi-Fi is the key for dealers who are looking to quickly introduce themselves into the game. But they still need to find additional ways to close the deal with customers. To that end, some manufacturers are pulling out additional incentives to help security professionals sweeten the deal with tech-savvy homeowners.

Honeywell’s LYNX Touch 5100, for instance, offers Wi-Fi with Android tablets to give end users an alternate option to control their security systems, no matter where they are in their homes. For example, tablets that serve as second keypads allow consumers to do everything from simply checking the weather or traffic conditions to actually arming the system — all from one mobile device.

“I found the compatibility with the Android tablet to be very useful. I actually end up using it more than the primary keypad,” says Morgan. “It’s easy to access when you’re going to bed at the end of the day; you can just arm the system right from there.”

Phillips notes another side benefit: Some dealers who struggle with homeowners about the actual placement of the panel will find the Android tablet to be a nice compromise. Offering a mobile tablet for convenience tends to make them more agreeable.

Lower Price Point Reaches Broader Audience

Aside from reducing installation time for dealers, and helping to build an easier bridge to advanced functions for consumers, there’s another key benefit of Wi-Fi that can mean good news for all involved: price.

“If we can provide our customers with a solution that has a lower upfront cost, it makes us more competitive,” says Phillips. “And with a simple solution that also has Wi-Fi connectivity, we have an edge.”

The technology allows dealers to lower their installation costs, which is another key way to differentiate their offerings with cost-conscious homeowners. While this is, of course, good news to a consumer during an economic recession it can also broaden the dealer’s prospective customer base. “The price point has made it popular with everybody,” says Morgan.

Because of the easier system operation, having a broader customer base isn’t as complicated as it may once have been. In the past, dealers may have had to worry about older customers becoming intimidated by newer, flashier technology. But easier-to-use, self-contained systems are appealing for a wider variety of audiences today.

“Age can definitely be a factor with these types of systems; the younger generation tends to pick it up quicker,” says Philips. “But the newer models are so easy to use, anyone can operate them.”

As one example of this generational tendency, dealers have typically found that once consumers know they have the power to arm/disarm their systems remotely, they’re willing to make the switch to the new technology.

This willingness to embrace new technology could further pay dividends down the road by opening the door for dealers to offer additional services in the future. For instance, some dealers have already started to embrace full-blown remote services as the next step as an opportunity to grow RMR.

In fact, if Wi-Fi does prove to be a key advantage in the alarm communications space, more dealers will be better positioned to fend off competition from new entrants. This means more dealers will be able to view the competition as an opportunity they can take advantage of rather than a threat they are defenseless against.

Rob Puric is Director of Product Management and Marketing for Honeywell Security Group. He can be contacted at [email protected].

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