SDM (Security Dealer Magazine)

A recently released report from Parks Associates, “Smart Product Market Assessment: Networked Cameras,” estimates that 7.7 million standalone and all-in-one networked/IP cameras will be sold in the U.S. in 2018, with $889 million in associated revenues. These findings are based on a survey of 10,015 U.S. broadband households that are owners of networked cameras, which was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2017. The data show that 7 percent of networked camera owners who were su ...read more

With a smart city the whole is greater than its parts. This holds true for the smart home, too. In today’s world of smart homes, IoT and smart cities, the network, wireless connectivity and data rule. As Parks Associates stated, “Smart cities are one of the most promising 5G use cases — although most cities pursuing smart solutions are currently in the testing phase, massive IoT deployments are already beginning to roll out. Top smart city applications include smart street light ...read more

According to the research firm Parks Associates, nearly 40 percent of security dealers that offer interactive services today report that half or more of their sales now include at least one smart home device, which is testament to the growing consumer demand. Dealers are listening. The Parks study also found that more than 90 percent of U.S. security dealers offer some form of interactive service, and 75 percent of security sales overall include at least one smart home device.

Advising customers about options such as these could be an important task for security dealers, considering that a recent Parks Associate survey conducted for Qolsys found that 64 percent of professionally monitored security system owners believe their home security system uses encrypted communications from the sensors to the panel, even though the percentage likely is considerably lower.

“Proprietary protocols used in various security products have varied in the degree of p ...read more

It’s been bandied about for 30 years — just about as long as I’ve been in this industry — but it’s still a hot topic and I have yet to see a solid solution. Interoperability is a key issue that keeps coming up. I heard it debated just last week at my favorite industry event, Connections, produced by Dallas-based Parks Associates.

“Interoperability is the next thing, but it’s really hard to make it happen,” said Yilan Jiang, senior research manager at Parks Associates. The in ...read more

As the professionally monitored security market experiences double digit growth, new entrants — specifically the cable industry — are competing on price, so dealers can be successful in the market by highlighting personalized, responsive service that contrasts with the poor customer service experience of competitors, suggests Tom Kerber, director of research, Parks Associates, Dallas.

To succeed, combine “wow”-level service with a plan to actively let your customers know tha ...read more

After difficult years for all businesses active in the housing market, including security, stabilization is emerging. Residential security, long having a dotted line to new starts, moving households and owned homes, has suffered. But good news is now more frequent.

Security dealers report high optimism for 2013 sales in Parks Associates’ 2013 2Q Security Dealer Survey. They also report more often offering and selling smarthome options with their security systems sales. This ...read more

About 11 percent of broadband households have intercoms, including 8 percent that have intercoms at entry doors and 7 percent that have intercom stations inside the home, according to May 2013 research by Parks Associates, Dallas. The survey reflects responses from among the three-fourths of U.S. households equipped with broadband, or about 93 million households. The May survey did not specify if intercoms were IP-based.

From the article, "A Sound Opportunity: Residential In ...read more