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Ken:
I read with interest the comments that have appeared with respect to DIY install systems [from Feb 17 2014 article] . One of your readers suggested that these systems are particularly prone to false alarming, which is not necessarily the case based upon the data we have reviewed. My firm did some consulting work with the largest player in the space (Protect America) and we had the opportunity to look at the signal activity of their customer base. Contrary to what was suggested, the base had among the lowest overall signal activity rate…including false alarms…we have seen in the industry. As it turns out (at least for this company), the level of familiarity and overall interaction the customer has with the system, by installing it themselves, results in a highly knowledgeable and capable user. This resonated with me as I reflected on my personal experience with a wireless router I recently installed in my home, and my ability to more effectively address the inevitable quirks.
I agree with you assessment that these systems are here to stay, and that there is a segment of consumers that will prefer them.
MIKE BARNES
Barnes Associates, Inc.
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Ken,
Concerning DIY alarms. I do believe that DIY alarms are here to stay. P.S. get ready for more DIY products too!
I will say the anology of a DIY alarm system compared to a hammer being sold in Home Depot could also be compared to me buying a legal book on amazon and thinking I should write my own contracts (not a bright idea). Reading
the book or buying the hammer does not always give you the sufficient training, experience and certifications needed to do the work properly. And in this case, as DIY alarms become more prevelant, so too will the false alarms and other issues that
will result from inexperienced novices installing something that does take some expertise to install correctly. And all the hard work we have put in with fara ( false alarm reduction ) and reducing the load placed on police & fire response as well, might be for nothing! The impact might be irreversible.
Is our industry getting ahead of this issue? My State for one has a good deal of rules and licenses
that are required to keep the industry in check (that I pay a great deal for might add). I guess they don't apply to DIY? Sure a homeowner can buy the tools and materials from home depot and build his own house. A homeowner is allowed to act as
their own G.C. but, they still have to pull permit and pass inspections. Who is making sure the homeowner is installing the DIY system correctly? Who will pay then when it does not?
Any thoughts?
RG
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I think the jury is out on whether DIY is going to contribute to false alarms. More likely those statistics are going to be skewed by alarm verification requirements. DIY is likely to be an issue for the nationwide operations, particularly ADT which dominates the market. If you consider that security alarm penetration in the general population is around 15%, and that number has been fairly consistent for a while, most alarm sales are probably to these same 15% as their contracts expire, they move, etc. Once you introduce DIY to this population there is going to be a proportion of that marketplace moving to DIY. All of a sudden a well healed [or financed] alarm guy working out of his house with a computer can market DIY, drop ship from the manufacturer or distributor all over the country, and arrange nationwide monitoring through one of the nationwide wholesale central stations. Sure, it must be a little harder that it sounds. I know that because I get calls regularly from alarm guys asking about doing business just like that and then I don't hear much about them. I think I'd hear if another ADT showed up. Hopefully the new one will use my contracts.
I'll conclude with one word of encouragement. If you are willing to work hard, appy yourself, get and listen to proper guidance, deal fairly and treat others with respect, you will have all the work you can get and all the money you need. [especially if you don't spend a lot !!]
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Speaking Engagements
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Sonitrol Verified Electronic Security. Annual convention March 22, 2014 at The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Alabama Alarm Association. AAA's Fall Meeting and Trade Show - October 21, 2014 from 3 to 5 PM at DoubleTree Hotel 808 South 20th Street Birmingham, AL 35205 contact Shelly (205) 933-9000 for more info
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