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Smart Home Solutions

What a year 2020 was! Work environments transitioned to home and people hunkered down to ride out the pandemic. Everything has become digital and internet connectivity is expected and just as important as other utilities. Security has the opportunity to leverage change, but security dealers will need to take a proactive stance.

Read the article online.

Change is Neverending

Adoption of new technologies is picking up speed exponentially. In less than 200 years, technology has transformed our lives. Just look at the shortening of time for mass adoption. Some of the biggest trends happening are fueled by this health crisis. Understanding what is happening will help companies stay alive and plan for recovery.

Read the article online or in the SDM December 2020 issue.

Cherish Your Customers

Given the uncharted times the world is experiencing right now, the looming question in many people’s minds is, “What can we do to help our company survive?” The answer is simple and focuses on the treasure you already have: clients. This applies to almost any business, but especially those in the security industry. Years of hard work, ongoing service and building long-term relationships lead to loyal customers.

Read the article online or in the SDM October 2020 issue.

Silver Linings in the COVID-19 Cloud

The coronavirus is impacting business operations and sales, and also dramatically influencing consumer spending. Parks Associates just released insights based on this summer’s consumer surveys, and found that while spending cuts due to COVID-19 affect most product categories, consumers continue spending on technology for productivity and entertainment. This highlights opportunities for security dealers.

Read the article online or in the SDM September 2020 issue.

Experience Cinema at Home

Living in today’s uncertain world brings challenges and changes every day, but it also brings new opportunities. Security companies are trusted by owners to protect and care for their families through system installation and monitoring. With the desire to stay home, people are enjoying more entertainment at home. Incorporating the cinema experience in a home can be as simple as adding surround sound to an entertainment system.

Read the article online or in the SDM August 2020 issue.

Smart Insights — Finishing the Last 2%

We’ve all been there, working long hours to get projects done, eager to mark them off the list. But, often one or more minor things still need attention to actually wrap up a project. Have you ever said, “It doesn’t really matter right now if the cables at the panel are organized and labeled,” or “instructions aren’t written or given to the owners, but that’s OK, we will come back when there’s more time?”

Read the article online or in the SDM July 2020 issue.

Keeping Essential Employees Safe

It is my hope that you and your team are doing well in these times of uncertainty, and I extend my thoughts and prayers to those who have been impacted by the pandemic. Hopefully your local government is now allowing you to get back to business and service your customers. Now how do we ensure workers in the office, technicians in the field and clients in their homes remain safe and healthy? The answer lies in a 2020 playbook for your business.

Read the article online or in the SDM June 2020 issue.

Powering the IoT

There’s a technology revolution coming our way that will alter the use of electricity as we know it. It has the potential to disrupt the construction, remodel, retrofit and installation industries. In particular, it will change the game for security companies — not only with their product offerings, but also installation processes and services.

Read the article online or in the SDM May 2020 issue.

How to Properly Document Projects

Neither paperwork nor digital recordkeeping are very popular, but both are necessary for long-term success. I admit I don’t like the time it takes — and I know I’m not alone on this one — but project management is vital to performance and client satisfaction in any company.

Read the article in the SDM April 2020 issue.

Finding & Building Qualified Workers

The plea is the same for every skilled trade industry: “We need qualified workers.” And it’s been going on for a while. It’s not just in the security industry; this is true for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and construction workers. . . . It’s difficult to fill open positions with knowledgeable and trained people at companies, including manufacturers, distributors, and other firms serving an industry.

Read the article online or in the SDM March 2020 issue.

Align Company Goals With Personal Goals

Business goals typically revolve around new opportunities, growth, revenue and profit. Through evaluation of the past year’s results, new tactics are identified to achieve the outlined goals. By defining a roadmap for 2020, the company is on its way to a great year, and hopefully management will share the strategy company-wide for all to see.

Read the article online or in the SDM December 2019 issue.

Streaming Media Explained in Simple Terms

Streaming media can be accessed anytime, everywhere. Understanding the technology will benefit everyone personally; and for those that deliver connectivity, professionally.

To stream media, all that is needed is a broadband connection and a streaming device or software app. A streaming player does just that: it connects to the internet, accesses content provided by online services and delivers the streaming media to the playback device.

Read the article online or in the SDM November 2019 issue.

Bigger Is Better: Roll-Ups & Consolidations

A century ago, most electrical devices, such as a fan or appliance, required 120V to operate. Today, 110V devices are in use, but technology has advanced to the point where electronics are prevalent and only need a low amount of DC voltage to operate; examples of this are mobile devices and even flat-screen displays.

. . . the bottom line is transformers are everywhere and there aren’t enough AC outlets to plug all of them in.

Read the article online or in the SDM October 2019 issue.

Power Challenge

AC Versus DC Power

A century ago, most electrical devices, such as a fan or appliance, required 120V to operate. Today, 110V devices are in use, but technology has advanced to the point where electronics are prevalent and only need a low amount of DC voltage to operate; examples of this are mobile devices and even flat-screen displays.

. . . the bottom line is transformers are everywhere and there aren’t enough AC outlets to plug all of them in.

Read the article online or in the SDM September 2019 issue.

The Business Selfie

Look around and you will see a plethora of brands offering smart devices.

How do you decide what to promote, and how do you spread the word?
The bottom line is it’s no longer about the product’s brand.
In today’s competitive world, the installation company is the brand.

Read the article online or in the SDM August 2019 issue.

Security in the Connected World

Security is today’s hot buzz word and it’s a big and continually expanding “pie” full of robust slices that are all in high demand. Lucky you, that’s the industry you are in and live every day. But which slice, or slices, are you enjoying? Where might your appetite grow?

Read the article online or in the SDM June 2019 issue.

Project Management is Paramount

Projects are the mainstay of business in the security industry, whether you’re installing a 260-zone security system, a smart home security system with lighting and HVAC automation/control, a 16-camera installation or an access control system. To achieve the desired result of a project, the most essential element of making it happen is project management.

Read the article online or in the SDM April 2019 issue.

How To Get Your Customers To Remember You

Today’s world bombards us with data. Whether it be looking for information, reading or watching the news or being inundated with advertising, it can be overwhelming to sort through the “haystack” for the desired “needle,” especially when it comes to making sense of technology. How can you be remembered?

Read the article online or in the SDM January 2019 issue.

The IoT — Is It Your Destiny?

One of the hottest topics for discussion with many opportunities emerging around it is the Internet of Things, or IoT. It’s not just change or progress. It has the potential to disrupt and, in many instances, already is disrupting work, home, travel, play, and just about every facet of our lives. But what is it and what does it mean for the security industry — in particular, your business?

Read the article online or in the SDM August 2018 issue.