Connected Technologies LLC, Crystal Lake, Ill., knows the security business from both sides of the channel, as dealer and now manufacturer. The company is driven to provide solutions dealers can use to grow their businesses while adding predictable income through tangible, value-added services for customers.

The company was founded by former security company owner Michael Simon, who is managing partner of operations with his son, Dan Simon.

For Connected Technologies and the Connect ONE cloud interface, the idea is to provide security dealers and systems integrators a simple platform to move into the world of Web hosting. Once they embrace the cloud, they can add a host of new services to customers that generate RMR, while differentiating their companies from the competition and adding predictable profitability to the business. “Cloud-hosted security management platforms are the panacea for diminishing margins on hardware-only security solutions and a pathway for dealers to increase their revenues and easily add a wide array of new capabilities for customers in every possible vertical market,” said Mike Simon.

Simon owned and operated a leading Chicago area security firm, Stand Guard, started in Long Grove, Ill., for 40 years before selling the business in August 2013. His passion for providing security dealers an easy-to-use integrated security solution was the primary reason he embarked on this new trail.

“When I started in the business in 1975, residential security systems were not prevalent. I began my business in residential by modifying and simplifying added features and functionalities common in commercial products, such as zone bypass features, and applying these changes to solutions for the home market.”

About five years prior to the sale of Stand Guard, his son Dan engineered and developed the Connect ONE platform so the company could obtain RMR for access control beyond a service contract. “We were one of the first to use the cloud for access control, because back then the topic was not part of the conversation. The solution became so popular with Stand Guard customers we decided to open opportunities for other dealers.”

Connect ONE is designed to allow dealers to manage a wide range of solutions for their customers — security, access control, video, critical temperature monitoring and other automation functionality from an easy-to-use platform accessible from PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet. Most recently the company expanded its offerings with ScanPass Mobile Credential and the Commercial All in One Commercial Package.

Simon said the industry is at a critical juncture, and security dealers need to embrace the cloud to thrive and survive. “We truly understand the needs of dealers and their customers. Value-added services will not only grow a dealer’s account base with stickier customers, but also provide predictable cash flow. Connect ONE, Scan Pass Mobile Credential and the All in One Package were designed to simplify integration offerings and create value-added services that not only equate to recurring revenue but a better customer and dealer experience,” said Mike Simon.