What makes these alliances possible is the growth of structured wiring, without which many integrated electronic services could not exist.  A 2000 survey of home builders conducted by Parks Associates in Dallas found that 56 percent of builders now offer structured wiring as either standard or optional.  "We've been talked about converging security with add-ons for 10 or 15 years," explains Kurt Scherf, Parks' vice president of research.  "But that convergence couldn't really happen until structured wiring."  The ubiquity of the Internet, particularly with always-on connections such as DSL and cable, has also helped expand home security offerings, he adds.  "Consumers are eager to have this.  They like having the ability to look into their homes to check on the kids, and so on."

From the article "Cause for Alarm?", by Barbara Stahura.

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