Dina Abdelrazik presents research at SecurityNEXT conference sharing insights on security dealer trends in DIY, smart home, and interactive services

New security dealer research from Parks Associates shows smart home devices are adding cost and complexity for dealers in the security industry, where 62% of all dealers report that smart home devices increase their support costs. Security Dealer Survey reports 22% of dealers most frequently employ a truck roll to resolve smart home support requests, which would severely impact their bottom line.

Dina Abdelrazik, Senior Analyst, Parks Associates, will present research from Security Dealer Survey and highlights from Parks Associates’ consumer and industry research at the upcoming SecurityNEXT conference on February 11 in New Orleans. This research analyzes the results of a survey of installers/dealers employed by security firms installing security systems in US households, including top challenges, intended product offerings, and factors related to interactive services.

“Twenty-eight percent of dealers find it very difficult to integrate smart home devices with a security system,” said Dina Abdelrazik, Senior Analyst, Parks Associates. “Dealers accept that they need to expand their offerings to include smart home devices in order to succeed, increase RMR potential, and compete effectively. Consumers’ desire for smart home devices integrated with the system calls on dealers to expand their expertise so that they ensure proper installation and minimize support costs. There is also pressure on manufacturers to continue to improve the installation and operation of their products.”

Security Dealer Survey reports that Honeywell (now Resideo) is the dominant brand for DIY security systems offered by dealers, followed by Interlogix and DMP. Dealers not currently selling DIY are split on future intentions – 45% report that they are likely or very likely to start offering DIY systems in the next year while 40% report that they are unlikely to do so.

“DIY systems are gaining momentum in the security industry, but they still are a minority of system types sold,” Abdelrazik said. “With increasing demand, combined with competition from new market entrants, security dealers are forced to consider whether or not to add DIY solutions to their business. To implement a DIY business model successfully, dealers must position such a system effectively alongside their traditional, professionally installed offerings and highlight the differences clearly to their customers.”

Additional research findings:

• 85% of all broadband households with a security system are professionally monitored.
• 36% of all dealers find that DIY systems cut into the demand for their professionally installed systems.
• 14% of dealers spend more than $500 a year to serve and retain an existing customer.
   

Parks Associates is hosting Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer on February 17-19 in Austin, Texas. For more information, contact sales@parksassociates.com. To request data or an interview, contact Elizabeth Parks at eparks@parksassociates.com, 972-490-1113.

About Parks Associates

Parks Associates, a woman-founded and certified business, is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates provides business intelligence and research services through its proprietary methodologies developed over decades, including quarterly surveys of 10,000 internet households.

The company's expertise crosses many industries: home security and smart home, streaming video, broadband and pay-TV services, digital media and platforms, gaming, Wi-Fi and home networks, connected health, support, consumer electronics, home control systems, energy management, and tech solutions for the multi-dwelling (MDU), small-to-medium business (SMB), and commercial building markets.

Each year, Parks Associates brings thousands of leaders together for its webinars and annual events. The firm hosts the annual executive research and strategy conferences CONNECTIONS™, Connected Health Summit, Smart Energy Summit, Smart Spaces, and Future of Video. https://www.parksassociates.com

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