The January edition of SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION includes our annual industry forecast as a cornerstone of our special 2014 Industry Forecast Issue. For the piece, I interviewed 25 of the industry’s most knowledgeable market analysts, business experts, security dealers, systems integrators, supplier representatives and trade association directors. Some of their perspectives can be found in the magazine article, with the balance of their assessments appearing in separate Under Surveillance blog posts.
Featured in this installment: Mike Miller, President, Moon Security Services
What will be the top technology stories of 2014?
Mike Miller: Technology is allowing us to provide solutions to our clients’ everyday needs. How it is detected and how it is communicated to the client becomes our primary concern. This requires us to invest in our technical and sales support staff through training, review of hiring practices with a focus on IT skills development that then will support our mission.
What do you envision for the security industry overall?
Miller: I believe that 2014 will be a good year of growth for our industry including manufacturers, dealers and monitoring providers. As an SIAC Board Member and past president of ESA, I am proud of the relationship that ESA, CSAA, CANASA and SIA were able to come together and build the entity SIAC [Security Industry Alarm Coalition], that works on our behalf working with police agencies across the U.S. and Canada. Stan Martin and his team continue to spread the word on alarm management ordinances that will impact our dealers’ police agencies and, most importantly, our clients in the best way possible.
What are some pressing security industry issues you would like to see get resolved?
Miller: 1) Reducing unethical sales practices; 2) we must continue to promote the ability for our alarm dealers as employers to have a national criminal background check done through the FBI/National Database; and 3) Electrical apprenticeship programs’ continued growth in all states so that we can have career pathways for our low-voltage journeyman electricians.
What is something that might catch people off-guard in 2014?
Miller: The phone and cable companies. I know we know they are here but I don’t think we should underestimate them one bit. Same with DIY; it may be a niche but at the least our awareness is critical and for us as a dealer become a possible partner as well as get your financial and operations as lean as possible and become more profitable. Get more training and be involved within your alarm association. Don’t just cut costs; look for ways to increase revenue and RMR.
Any final thoughts about 2014?
Miller: What we do is important. We protect lives and property. Our work is not boring, it’s exciting and I’m proud of what we do!
