Is America Ready for Home Automation?

Jun / 16 / 2016
Is America Ready for Home Automation?

Although you might not know it, the home automation market in the U.S. was worth about $5 billion in 2014. Much of what American consumers are implementing through home automation right now involves basic thermostat control, lighting control and remote door locking and unlocking. The question is, are consumers ready to go to the next level? Is home automation on the verge of exploding over the next decade or so? A new report from Zion Research seems to indicate that this is the case.

The report predicts the home automation market will grow to about $21 billion by the end of the decade. They expect annual growth each year between now and then to be somewhere around 25%. That is very significant growth for any industry, let alone an industry like home automation that has been slow to catch on with consumers.

Smart home automation concept illustrated by modern smart phone to monitor smart objects.

The key for manufacturers and retailers is to identify what the consumer is most interested in and fill that need first. Do consumers want systems they can control merely through voice commands? Perhaps they want home automation technologies that will learn from their preferences and adjust on the fly. Rest assured that all this, and more, is being developed at R&D facilities around the world.

Overcoming Challenges of the IoT

One of the biggest challenges the home automation industry has been grappling with is the development of the Internet of Things (IoT). If you are not familiar with the IoT, it is simply the collection of all those electronic devices and appliances that have built-in connectivity through the internet. The IoT has been especially troublesome for home automation because manufacturers all have different ways of building their products and utilizing conductivity. But as home automation matures, manufacturers and software developers are beginning to embrace a set of standards that will help push technology forward.

It’s a lot like the standards that eventually allowed mobile phones to go worldwide. Once the standards are in place, the IoT will no longer be a barrier to automation.

Current capabilities dictate it is no longer out of the question to be able to control nearly every piece of equipment in the home using a remote device like a smartphone or tablet. We already have the ability to lock and unlock doors remotely, control window blinds, and alter lighting and temperatures. The days of being able to turn on the stove while at work or get the laundry running are just around the corner.

Combining Home Automation with Security

If America truly is ready to embrace home automation, it is due to the ability to integrate it with home security. For example, Uxari home automation is a company that allows customers to build security systems of their own from a list of available wireless devices. Customers can get the best of both worlds by building systems that meet their unique requirements and budget.

Consider a basic system that offers around-the-clock burglary and fire monitoring along with video surveillance cameras that can be monitored from anywhere. A homeowner can simply bring up an app on a smartphone or tablet to see video feeds in real-time. That same app can be used to lock and unlock doors as well as control any of the other installed home automation features.

Uxari takes things one step further by including additional devices for things such as home theater and landscaping elements. Having so many options now truly integrates home automation and security like never before. The good news for the home automation industry is that Americans are embracing it wholeheartedly. Yes, we are ready for home automation right now.

Sources:

  1. Times of Kabul – http://timesofkabul.com/962/new-report-examines-global-home-automation-market-poised-ascend-usd-5-0-billion-2014-usd-21-0-billion-2020/
  2. Uxari – http://www.uxari.com/home-automation/
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IPAutoDialer Alarm Dialer

Apr / 01 / 2016
IPAutoDialer Alarm Dialer

IPAutoDialer is an Alarm Dialer that integrates with Honeywell, DSC, and many other Alarm Panels on the market. Simply connect it to a 12V source and it will send out text messages to cell phones and even call land lines. There are no monthly subscriptions to pay and IPAutoDialer includes 500 Dials/SMS Message per year at no charge. This is great for home owners that want to retrofit their existing alarm system to send out notifications using their own internet connection. No Land Line or VOIP subscriptions are required so you can kiss that phone bill goodbye! There is a two wire input that when 9-24VDC is applied, the system boots up in less than 5 seconds and calls up to 10 people at the same time without delay. The time needed for the call or SMS to get through to your contact list is less than 30 seconds in most cases. There’s a large list of international countries that are supported as well. We were given a test unit to play around with and were impressed by how stupidly simple it was to setup. We were able to put a link to our security camera system into SMS notification so our staff can instantly log into the CCTV system without having to worry about having a phone app installed. The phone dialer feature uses text to speech to audibly speak your notification message when the unit is activated. This makes communication with legacy land lines possible. With no monthly fees IPAutoDialer should be in every integrators toolkit.

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New Business Opportunity: Home Security Dealer Program

Jul / 07 / 2016
New Business Opportunity: Home Security Dealer Program

Starting a new small business is a risky venture. So risky, in fact, that more than 40% of all small businesses fail within the first three years. Understanding why so many businesses fail also sheds light on why a reputable home security dealer program offers a solid business opportunity that is likely to succeed over the long term.

Statistics show that the single largest cause of small business failure is incompetence. Some 46% of failing small businesses suffer from a myriad of problems including a lack of planning, poor or no record-keeping, a lack of pricing knowledge, failure to pay taxes, emotional decision-making, and living beyond the means the business provides. In short, it comes down to entrepreneurs starting their businesses with insufficient knowledge and experience, and then failing to utilize the knowledge and experience of others to correct what they are doing incorrectly.

House alarm

As a new business opportunity, the home security dealer program addresses almost every concern in the above list. National and regional security providers offering dealer programs have a vested interest in making sure every one of their dealers succeeds. Therefore, they provide a tremendous amount of help and support to that end.

Dealers Have Business Partners

A local security company that makes the decision to obtain membership in a home security dealer program is essentially gaining a business partner through the arrangement. The business partner brings a lot to the table including an already recognized brand along with the size and resources to help the local dealer succeed. Through this partnership, dealers receive:

  • relevant and necessary industry training
  • help and support with back office functions
  • marketing support and branding opportunities
  • rewards and incentives to motivate growth
  • opportunities to manage cash flow by selling accounts.

What makes a home security dealer program such a strong business opportunity is the strength of the affiliated brand. Affiliating with a security provider known around the nation as a leader in the industry instantly gives the local dealer credibility. More importantly, the provider works very hard to protect its brand. They will not be content to sit idly by while local dealers struggle – because that is bad for the brand.

Cash Flow Management a Strong Point

When home security dealer programs were first birthed in the 1990s, there were a ton of new security companies getting into the market with a single focus: sell as much equipment as possible. The industry was very much about sales with very little attention paid to long-term customer relationships. And what was the result? Almost all of those sales-focused companies have long since gone under.

Authorized dealer programs came into play as a means of helping local home security dealers better manage the cash flow so they could stay in business even amidst the ups and downs of fluctuating equipment sales. Make no mistake; positive cash flow is still one of the strongest aspects of dealer programs as a business model. By having the opportunity to sell accounts to the branded provider, security dealers are much better equipped to manage cash flow to keep their businesses strong.

There is little doubt that the home security dealer program has proven itself as an effective business model throughout the more than 20 years of its existence. All across the country, there are thousands of local dealers whose businesses enjoy solid growth and profitability thanks, in part, to their affiliations with branded providers. It is a business model that has worked for decades; it is one that will continue working as home security expands into home automation and beyond.

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Thinking about Buying a Home Security System? Read This First.

Jul / 01 / 2016
Thinking about Buying a Home Security System? Read This First.

Smart homeowners aim to protect not only their material possessions, but also the people who reside inside their home. There are a number of ways to improve your home’s security, such as guard dogs, alarm systems, steel doors, reinforced glass, and even firearms. However, none of these options allows the homeowner to identify intruders, should a break-in occur when they are not at home.

If you are one of these consumers, you may be looking into buying a surveillance system based home security system that gives you utmost benefit when it comes to home protection.

Home-Security-SystemFortunately, you will find home security companies like Platinum CCTV who take time to educate homeowners on the best surveillance system for their home or business. In fact, due to the rapidly changing capabilities and standards in the security camera field, getting an expert’s opinion is crucial in order to get the best options that match your security needs.

Different home security systems come in various packages and with unique capabilities. For instance, you can choose to buy a simple pinhole camera, or a complete 12 camera home security system that contains night vision CCTV, motion sensors, and alarm inputs. Some companies sell home security systems with low clarity cameras, and while you may think you are getting a deal with traditional analog units, check to make sure that the width of the camera lens and the resolution of the camera itself is sufficient. If you are not in the market for a high definition security camera system, be sure to install your traditional camera as close to the area to be recorded as possible to improve your chances of recording a clear picture.

Still, there are many high-performance HD security cameras for those with a modest budget, like the HD-4215 HD Micro Dome IP camera. Not only is it affordable, provides a great image, and lightweight, but it is armored so that crooks cannot interfere with the recording process. While camera technology is rapidly advancing (just have a look at this patent for security gateway that detects and sends alarm conditions and partial video to multiple networks), it does not necessarily mean that reasonably priced home security systems are not available.

Remember that burglary is not the only thing that occurs during nighttime–often this is when prowlers come out to scope out your property for a future break-in, so having a security camera that can deliver a clear image will allow you to work with authorities in order to apprehend and charge the would-be burglar.

Some companies that sell home security systems have little experience with the units they sell. So before you buy, make sure you ask questions about their technical support capabilities and whether they are available by phone. Home security technical support should be there to help you regardless of whether you have a question about installation, compatibility, or troubleshooting at any stage of your security system’s lifetime.

Remember, a good tech support team standing behind you could be the difference between protecting and securing your home and having a poorly configured system that is ineffective as a home security measure. Just remember to compare companies and their offers before you buy home security system to ensure you get high quality security at all times.

While the last thing a smart consumer would want to skimp on is their home security, if you are a budget conscious homeowner trying to get the most bang for their buck, then defining an affordable home security system can be done in different ways. One approach is by knowing the price of the actual devices. A home security system has various elements that working together for home protection. In a sense, you can choose a camera system, whether for home or business, that incorporates different bells and whistles: more cameras, better clarity, advanced video management, etc. The options are nearly endless. Going for the cheapest is rarely a good idea, so if money is a factor, check to see that you are purchasing a system that allows you to add additional cameras in the future

The warranty’s value is also an important thing to know when researching surveillance cameras. You will find the system’s value by familiarizing yourself with the terms of the warranty as well as its duration. Some security camera companies may offer free replacements and repairs in order to assuage the consumer’s concern about durability.

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BLUEBOX Technologies The Leading Supplier of Security Systems

Apr / 23 / 2016
BLUEBOX Technologies The Leading Supplier of Security Systems

BLUEBOX Technologies es un distribuidor exclusivo de los productos de seguridad de Z-pulse y Hikvision OEM en Puerto Rico y Estados Unidos.

BLUEBOX Technologies es el primer proveedor de sistemas de cámaras de seguridad, DVR y control acceso. Las equipos CCTV Z-pulse  incluyen cuerpo de cámara, cámara bullet de IR, cámara de dome, cámara de PTZ,coberteras ,carcasas, monitores, grabadoras de video digital, la red de transmisión, transmisión de vídeo, análisis de vídeo inteligente, cableado y mucho más.

BLUEBOX Technologies es tu mejor opcion para obtener los mejores precios en cámaras de seguridad, grabadora digital, Alarma,Control Acceso  gran selección de cableados, conectores y equipos de instalaciones. Por más de 12 años, hemos proporcionado sistemas de seguridad a Negocios comercial, residencial y gobiernos.

Nos enorgullecemos de nuestro excelente servicio y apoyo, nuestros clientes compran con confianza, sabiendo que están recibiendo el mejor equipo a los mejores precios . Tómese un momento para darse una vuelta, y verá porque más personas están optando por BLUEBOX Technologies para sus necesidades de seguridad y vigilancia.

Dirección: Calle 15, Arecibo, Puerto Rico, 00612.

Numero Teléfono: (787)-777-1807
(787)-308-1509
(787)-324-7624

Correo Electronico:

Lunes- Viernes: 9AM- 5PM/ Sabado: 9AM- 1PM

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