SDMmag logo
search
Go to Ask SDM AI
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
SDMmag logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Access Control & Identification
    • Integration & Network Solutions
    • Life Safety & Fire Alarm
    • Monitoring
    • Smart Home
    • Trends & Industry Issues
    • Video Solutions
  • COLUMNS
    • Digital Shuffle
    • Editor's Angle
    • Insider News & Business
    • Integration Spotlight
    • Marketing Madmen
    • Security & the Law
    • Security Comings & Goings
    • Security Networkings
    • Technology @ Work
    • Technology Solutions & Skills
    • SIA Waypoints
    • Cybersecurity Chronicle
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Industry Forecast
    • Dealer of the Year
    • Project of the Year
    • SDM 100
    • State of the Market Series
    • Systems Integrator of the Year
    • Top Systems Integrator Report
    • TMA Excellence Awards
  • BLOG
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • White Papers
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Calendar
    • Webinars
  • MORE
    • Classified Ads
    • Newsletters
    • SDM Store
    • State of Security eBook
    • Sponsored Insights
  • BUYERS GUIDE
    • Buyers Guide
    • Take a Tour
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Monitoring Today
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Smart Home

Get Your Company in the Door (Again)

Access Control Opens Up New Revenues With This 3-Step Plan

By Helen M. Heneveld
September 25, 2013

There’s opportunity out there, and it’s just a doorknob away. Access control has gone main stream, it’s no longer just for commercial buildings and businesses. Personal protection and safety are getting more and more attention these days and people are looking for a way to monitor and manage entry to their home.

Today there are numerous manufacturers offering a wide variety of affordable door locks and gate controls. Add to this the ability for them to integrate with the home automation or security system, and access control is a natural to add to your company’s offerings. For the electronics “installer,” “technician,” “integrator,” “manager,” “provider,” “consultant,” “concierge” or whatever our profession is being called today, access control falls in our realm. Be the “value-add” by helping your customers add access control or upgrade and incorporate it into existing systems.

Where to start? Here’s an easy 1-2-3 plan to get you up and running with access control.

1.      DECIDE      (6 hours estimated time)

a.       Research options, explore technologies and brands.

b.       Decide on technology to be used (Z-Wave, Zigbee, or other).

c.       Select the brand and preferred product model to use, remember the fewer manufacturers and product models your company installs, the more focused and proficient your team will be with installation, troubleshooting and service.

Looking for quick answers on security topics? Try Ask SDM, our new smart AI search tool. Ask SDM →

2.      LEARN      (8 hours estimated time)

a.       Install the door lock at the office or in your home.

b.       Integrate it with your security or home automation system.

c.       Set up the system to notify you when accessed, perhaps turn on a recorder and capture the user on camera video, or enable access codes/cards based on day, time, etc.

d.       Experience having access control so you can share the benefits with potential customers.

3.      MARKET  (6 hours estimated time)

a.       Develop messaging that describes the new offer.

b.       Reach out to existing customers.

c.       Create marketing plan for new customers.

d.       Market and close sales.

 

With just a 20-hour investment, revenues and profits can grow, and offerings expand with access control. Still not sure? Consider the following: high margins, short installation time, competitive advantage, typically requires no license for installation, opportunity for annual maintenance contract and potential recurring revenue. We all like these things.

Would you like to get organized with project information in one place?

Click here and sign up to receive a link to download Project Information Form and Alarm and Access Codes WORKSHEET to help equip your sales and installation teams.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Helen heneveld sdm

Helen M. Heneveld, president of Bedrock Learning, a training solutions company in Holland, Mich., has wide-ranging experience in smart home technologies, business strategies and training — from startups to Fortune 500 firms. Her unique ability to simplify, see through the hype, identify impactful new technologies and pinpoint potential opportunities shows in her passion to help others. Visit www.bedrocklearning.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • SDM 100

    SDM 100: Top 100 Security Dealers of 2026

    The top 100 security dealers navigated a complex...
    SDM 100 Report
    By: Karyn Hodgson
  • Security camera

    State of the Market: Video Surveillance

    As video surveillance shifts from siloed systems to...
    Exclusives
    By: Brianna Wilson
  • 2026 Industry Forecast

    SDM 2026 INDUSTRY FORECAST

    Rapid technology advances meet shifting economic...
    Annual Industry Forecast
    By: Karyn Hodgson
Manage My Account
  • SDM Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the SDM audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of SDM or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Doctor examining child patient with mother present in medical clinic
    Sponsored byHID

    The Human Side of Hospital Security: How Modern Visitor Management Protects People First

Popular Stories

Video surveillance camera

Why Video Health Monitoring Is a ‘No Brainer’

ESA Board of Directors Q2 26 Elections

Electronic Security Association Announces 2026 Board of Directors Election Results

TMA & SDM Logos

Becklar, Elite & Puget Win 2026 TMA/SDM Monitoring Center Excellence Awards

SDM Dealer of the Year 2026 Promotion

Poll

What’s the most promising trend in the industry?

What’s the most promising trend in the industry?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Physical Security Assessment Handbook An Insider’s Guide to Securing a Business

Physical Security Assessment Handbook An Insider’s Guide to Securing a Business

See More Products
SDM 100 2026 Rankings

Related Articles

  • Helen M. Heneveld

    Aging in Place: The Next Big Opportunity

    See More
  • Helen M. Heneveld

    Business Check-Up 101: Getting Your Act Together

    See More
  • CES Buzz Gets Louder: Attend, Follow, Learn and Get Ahead in 2014

    See More
×

Be in the forefront of security intelligence when you receive SDM.

Join over 10,000+ professionals when you subscribe today.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing