PEACE OF MIND

SECURE YOUR PEACE OF MIND WITH FULL INTEGRATION

Karl Brett, security product manager at smart home distributor Invision UK, talks about the importance of integration for the future of security.

Across the year spanning between July 2019/ july 2020, 348,291 household domestic burglary cases were reported in the UK to the police1. Even though there was a 28% decrease between March and May, (during lockdown) – the easing of restrictions in June saw an increase in recorded incidents in 20202. With high burglary figures, protecting your home and family is top priority - so how do we ensure that as installers we are increasing the longevity of security while assisting our customers to stay safe?

Homeowners expect more for their money, with traditional intruder alarm systems often a reluctant expense where value is not immediately apparent. Often, it is not a purchase which excites them like the latest iPhone or a new car, it’s an investment but one that is entirely necessary to protect both their property and family.

System integrators have both an opportunity and responsibility to enlighten their customers about the various aspects and possibilities of a security system, considering all different technologies, to provide the perfect solution while delivering maximum protection for the home.

The security industry is increasingly developing environmental detectors to add an additional layer of protection for the home, beyond the simple intruder detection. These include; smoke, heat, water / flood and carbon monoxide detectors which are often being added to security systems as standard.

If system integrators are going to offer security systems to their customers, then the two obvious questions arise regarding integration. Is there an intruder alarm system which integrates with X? Should we integrate an intruder alarm system? The answer to both questions is of course, yes.

SATEL INTEGRA is the popular choice of many integrators because of the sheer volume of integrations available for it - Control4, Crestron, Crestron Home (due Q2 2021), KNX, RTI, Fibaro and Comfort Click. This hybrid intruder alarm system gives integrators the opportunity to offer their customers the holistic solution they increasingly request. For example, a wired or wireless solution for detecting intruders, smoke, heat, water leaks, gas leaks and more with control and notifications in a single ecosystem incorporating lighting control, AV control et al. If homeowners are engaging with you to deliver a smart home control system then their expectations are already confirmed - one system to rule them all, a single interface where they can do everything. Therefore, the question of should you integrate the security system answers itself.

Another product range that integrates well is LILIN’s STARVIS cameras. Using Sony STARVIS sensors, these cameras provide a clear image in ultra-low light environments and integrate with RTI, C4, Crestron, AMX, Savant, Satel and Fibaro. This allows the user to control their security programmes and build in other actions without having to use multiple apps.

Security manufacturers have also added considerable smart home functionality to everyday systems like intruder alarms. These include intruder alarm systems which support touch screens with customisable user interfaces, wired and wireless 230V switching as well as both temperature and lux detection which all contribute to automation and control around the home. This is a continued trend both the security and smart home industries are witnessing of a convergence - integrators in both camps are often being asked to offer the full package of smart home control and security, and manufacturers are responding.

The future of the security sector is in integration. Integrators and end-users increasingly expect intruder alarms, CCTV, access control and of course smart home control systems to work in total harmony. For example, an outdoor motion detector in the garden picks up an intruder, the smart home system switches the garden lights on automatically, the camera on the patio starts recording footage, the siren starts sounding 100dB and the owner receives one notification on their phone informing them of the entire situation.

The combination of a high-class alarm system with versatile automation is a perfect solution for the most demanding customers whose expectations go beyond basic functionalities.

1Data taken from Police.uk crime data July 2019 – July 2020 2Data taken from Police.uk crime data March 2020 – July 2020.

STAY HOME, STAY SAFE

Tilak Rana, Technical Sales Manager at AWE, examines the state of play in the security sector.

With everyone spending more time in their homes, it comes as no surprise that they are starting to see how important security actually is. If I take my own experience as an example; in the last two weeks, I have noticed someone coming onto my driveway and trying to open my car doors three times. Because of this, I have upgraded my security from one Ring video doorbell to a floodlight cam above the door, as well as upgrading the lighting around the property to provide a clearer image on the camara.

Even though we are spending more time in our homes, being able to say that you feel safe there is very important - so systems such as Ring play a huge part in this.

I’d say that most projects that I have recently seen feature a mix of IP cameras or door entry solutions integrated into a homes automation system. They also include alarms that are typically independent from their control systems (due to insurance purposes). I have also noticed that a lot of DIY alarm systems are now being used, for example Z-Wave devices or the Ring Alarm, which can be monitored at a small monthly or yearly cost.

I personally think that these DIY devices have opened the eyes of a lot of end users. In the past, people assumed that these options were expensive or required a lot of work to be done to install them. The DIY range of products have shown end users that you can get a good security system in place without breaking the bank.

The difficulty comes in making sure they choose the right product for their needs, and this is why it’s important for them to get a professional on board. Integrators haven’t pushed DIY products too much in the past, as there was no real benefit to them. But with the Ring X Line, for example, these products have been developed with professional installation in mind.

With regards to the market opportunity for integrators, now is the time to jump on the security bandwagon. Walking down a street in the area that I live in, I can see a smart doorbell on pretty much every single front door. This shows the current level of interest in home security.

As an authorised Ring dealer with AWE, you get referrals from us for enquires in your area. So, it’s very easy to get potential job leads, and thanks to the product offering from Ring, there is a variety of solutions at different price points, meaning that there is a system to suit every client.

My advice to any integrator who hasn’t yet ventured into home security is to get started and the best place to begin, is attending training. There are many courses and a variety of brands that deal with these systems.

The AWE Smart Home Academy has an Introduction to Ring X Line course running at the moment and an Advanced course for those dealers who want to know how to best set the products up. Both courses are free and have multiple dates running at the moment.

FINALLY NO COMPROMISE

“What we’ve achieved with this is something that I never thought we could get to…I think it will be a long time before any of our competitors can equal this level of performance…if ever” Todd Ryan Chief Speaker Engineer.