Alarm.com has become the dominant force in smart home / remote service platform, with ~70% market share, combining their own traditional offering plus their acquisition of rival iControl business units. But how well does the platform actually wor...
By Brian Rhodes - 7 days ago
Genetec continues to move up market with their Mission Control, "Decision Support System", bringing PSIM-like procedures and incident management to their 'unified platform' / VMS Security Center. We tested Mission Control to see how it worked, wh...
By Ethan Ace - 7 days ago
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors add a life-safety component to burglar alarm systems. As intrusion detection sensors are used to call the police for help, life safety devices are used to call for help from the fire department. While...
By Ari Erenthal - 14 days ago
The ESX (Electronic Security Expo) day 3 / Thursday is done and the exhibits are over. IPVM was in Nashville covering it in-depth. Below covers days 1, 2, and 3. Inside this report: "It's riskier to be in the alarm industry today" Very str...
By Ari Erenthal - about 1 month ago
How do integrators feel about offering RMR / recurring revenue services? For many, their business revolves around RMR, while others see no benefit. 150+ integrators answered our survey on the importance of RMR to their business. We examine the t...
By Ari Erenthal - about 1 month ago
Many security integrators use signs or stickers with their company name and logo. Posting these in front the homes of residential customers encourages neighbors to purchase their own systems and, hopefully, discourages potential burglars. In this ...
By Ari Erenthal - about 2 months ago
Private equity firms are on the hunt for security companies with strong RMR numbers. One such security company, Guardian Alarm, was recently purchased by a private equity group and the former President of ADT, Mike Snyder, for over $200M. IPVM di...
By Brian Karas - about 2 months ago
Remote video monitoring can help integrators generate RMR plus end users lower their security costs and/or improve response to critical events. The four main types of video monitoring services commonly offered are: Video verification Video gu...
By Ari Erenthal - about 2 months ago
A Shark Tank TV show appearance has attracted big attention for Guard Llama, a security startup touting a 'panic button' paired with mobile app that claims "911 help, 3X faster." We bought one and tested it to see if the startup delivers on the...
By Brian Rhodes - 2 months ago
Many burglar alarm systems have a single designated level of access for users. A user can arm or disarm the entire alarm by entering a single code. Some alarm applications require alarm installers to design the alarm with multiple sections that ar...
By Ari Erenthal - 2 months ago
Burglar alarms give the user the ability to choose how much of their alarm is active at any time. Activating alarm sensors on windows and doors while deactivating alarm sensors inside allows alarm users to move about their homes without having to ...
By Ari Erenthal - 3 months ago
An alarm system can call for help in the event of an attempted break in, but only if it is armed. If an adversary forces an authorized user to disarm the alarm, however, that adversary can gain entry without alerting emergency responders. Therefor...
By Ari Erenthal - 3 months ago
The function of an alarm panel is to gather information from sensors and respond to this information by triggering actions. While it is possible to program these responses manually, most alarm panels have a variety of responses preprogrammed and g...
By Ari Erenthal - 3 months ago
Bosch is one of the biggest names in intrusion but their B-Series panels, targeted at smaller site installs and available through distribution, are relatively new for intrusion standards. We bought a Bosch B3512 panel and a B942 graphic keypad to...
By Brian Rhodes - 3 months ago
Deep learning for $2 a day for a system that automatically detects guns and masks, alerting the police to robberies and threats? A US startup is launching such a service, based on the work of its founder/CEO, Dr. Sean Huver, and previous work fro...
By Brian Karas - 4 months ago
2Gig is one of the most widely used intrusion systems, with two product lines that are the main offering of many alarm companies, huge national installers and small mom & pop shops alike. In this dual-test, IPVM bought both variants of this a...
By Brian Rhodes - 4 months ago
Simplisafe markets themselves as a 'better way' than traditional professional alarm companies. However, in one key way, Simplisafe hides the alarm permitting process from their marketing material, only making it clear after the system is purcha...
By Ari Erenthal - 4 months ago
Panic switches allow silently triggering an alarm system when it is otherwise disarmed. In this tutorial we explain and contrast the 7 most common types, including: Covered Switch / Hold Up Emergency Button Latching Switch Wireless Keyfob F...
By Ari Erenthal - 4 months ago
Intrusion detection systems can be used to alert users to environmental issues. By connecting sensors that monitor the heat, humidity, and moisture, alarm subscribers can be alerted to potential problems before they grow worse. In this tutorial, w...
By Ari Erenthal - 4 months ago
DMP is a major provider of intrusion systems, but lacks the global brand recognition of some of its rivals (such as Bosch, Honeywell, DSC, or 2Gig). How does it compare to competitor systems that have been in widespread use for decades? We boug...
By Brian Rhodes - 4 months ago
The fastest growing segment of the alarm market is Do It Yourself (DIY) systems. This directory covers DIY products for central station, push notification, and voice dialer alarms. It only covers products intended primarily for the DIY market and...
By Ari Erenthal - 5 months ago
'Everybody' 'knows' that DIY alarm systems, like Simplisafe, generate more false alarms than traditional, professionally installed ones. But it is evidently false, as two executives in the know from large central stations explained to IPVM.
By John Honovich - 5 months ago
The company alarm dealers love to hate, Simplisafe, is 'blowing the doors off' according to Michael Barnes, one of the top financial advisors in the space. Inside, we examine Simplisafe's progress, business model, estimated RMR, annual revenue an...
By John Honovich - 5 months ago
Wholesale central stations help smaller and local dealers providing monitoring to their customers. Dozens of options exist. Below is the first version of our directory of options in North America. We plan to expand it both in number of listings ...
By Ari Erenthal - 5 months ago
This is a review of key security alarm industry trends, taken from Michael Barnes' presentation at the 2017 Barnes Buchanan conference. Key trends covered: Nationals vs Regionals vs Locals Market Not Consolidating Increasing Operation Comp...
By John Honovich - 5 months ago
