Well, maybe not everyone. But many in the industry are feeling optimistic about the state of the access control industry and its potential for providing increased sales this year.
With this issue, SDM kicks off its annual exclusive State of the Market Reports, a series of four in-depth feature articles that delve into the market viability of video surveillance, access control, intrusion alarms, and fire protection — beginning with video on page 44. These articles are a valuable read, as they are chock-full of not only testimony from industry professionals about the challenges and opportunities they see in each market, but also exclusive data from SDM and IHS Research about selected vertical segments and technologies poised for growth.
Practically every store I walk into these days — from Home Depot, to Best Buy, to the Apple Store and more — features a snazzy display of home security/connected-home products for do-it-yourselfers. These attractive displays were moved right to the front of the stores during the holidays; they were so attractive that I found myself spending long amounts of time browsing the products and reading the packaging.
In 2008, ADS Security was the SDM 2008 Dealer of the Year Honoree. Since then nothing — and everything — has changed at the company, which is the 2014 Dealer of the Year.
If you’ve ever needed more money (who hasn’t?), then you are among a majority of business owners. Approximately one-half to two-thirds of young, small businesses — defined as those with less than 499 employees — use capital injections, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy in a February 2014 report. What’s more, not being able to obtain capital has profound implications for the ability of certain businesses to expand, the report noted.
The U.S. market for building automation equipment is set to grow by more than 40 percent within a five-year period ending in 2017, spurred by the need in commercial buildings for more efficient energy consumption, according to a report from IHS Inc. released in late 2013, and is a “must watch” growth opportunity for integrators.
Examples of excellence can be found in many places throughout the security industry. The companies that strive for it should be commended for their efforts that offer the end result of a great customer experience.
The 2014 Central Station of the Year winner is COPS Monitoring, which is Five Diamond and IQ certified, as well as the holder of multiple UL listings including UL 2050. COPS Monitoring operates five hot redundant and load-sharing UL-listed central stations.
From the Top Systems Integrators Report, to technology trends in video surveillance/access control integration, PERS, power supplies, video compression – the feature articles in this issue demonstrate the high value proposition our industry offers.
The articles in this issue demonstrate that not only does the electronic security industry offer a high value proposition, but that new and improved technologies alone are never enough to strike success. They must fit into the overall picture of market need/acceptance the competitive environment, and — crucially — the business requirements of dealers and integrators.
SDM 100 dealers as well as throughout the industry, routine security installations as well as more complex projects like these are signs of success for the industry and progress towards a more secure America.