Every few weeks ipvm presents a new startup that is a DIY in the security or surveillance field.
This year at the CSAA annual conference, DIY for the first time is almost the exclusive focus. Here is my take on it and would be interested in what others are seeing or beginning to see.
Companies that DO NOT use an inhome sales consultant and have a professional install the system include: Digital Life, Alarm Force, LifeShield, Rogers, Cox, The monitoring Center, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, Xfinity
These Companies DO NOT use an inhome sale consultant AND ship the product to the end user to install themselves: Nest, Frontpoint, Dropcam, Canary, Tattletale, Smarthome, Protect America, SimpliSafe.
Most of the above companies also manufacture their product. The traditional integrator not only sells in the home and then installs it, but also has to buy the product from a distributor not even a manufacturer. Can you spell "competitive advantage".
Two weeks ago we laid off our last salesperson that sells in the home, we are not going to fill the position. The residential market represents 75% of the accounts monitored in North America.
What are ipvm members seeing regarding this trend? Salespeople leaving the market? Leads drying up, Dealers installing less systems? Monitoring company owners thinking about selling rather than hanging on? Cancellations? Are there other companies you could add to my list?