
A Connected Technologies Briefing…
By Mike Simon, Managing Partner, Connected Technologies LLC
Navigating the ever-changing product and technology landscape can be difficult and overwhelming. While
security dealers work to increase their profitability by adding services, training and education of technicians and personnel seems to be holding them back. New employees often have a steep learning curve and in-house personnel may require regular refresher courses to keep pace with evolving technologies.
Training and education can have a serious effect on security dealers and integrators looking to attain
profitability by offering expanded system capabilities to customers. According to a 2017 study by Training
Magazine, companies spent more than $1,886 annually on training per employee, with small businesses paying significantly more than midsize or large companies. That’s just initial onboarding and training, which doesn’t include costs for continuing education, certification and recertification, as well as additional education required when taking on new products for specific projects or vertical markets.
The value of system standardization
Many security dealers don’t figure the expense of training into their jobs, which can have a substantial effect on the bottom line. When it comes to product deployment, there’s tangible value in the standardization of product solutions—to streamline installations and avoid additional expenses associated with learning the nuances of new equipment. There’s also additional warehouse and truck inventory costs associated when using multiple products.
While everyone is abuzz with the cloud there are other inherent efficiencies from this type of security
management platform that may be overlooked: the ability to simplify and standardize on installed
solutions—circumventing or avoiding some of the prohibitive costs of training and education. From the stats above, which are most likely higher in 2019, it pays to find a product that works well for most if not all your customers and market verticals.
Standardization is fundamental methodology to attaining profitability. When doing research on potential
partners, security dealers should look for a cloud provider and offering that covers their market verticals and services. It’s critical to use a cloud service that can be customized to fit your business goals—one that can help manage all the services you provide.
A flexible, cloud-hosted management solution lets security dealers use the same platform for the majority of their customers for intrusion, video surveillance, access control, mobile credentialing, energy management and environmental monitoring. There’s initial training but little or no additional skillsets required for each new project when using a single, standardized interface. We also know that when technicians don’t regularly install a particular solution, they may need additional retraining to pick up where they left off. What about handling service calls, especially after business hours? When you have an expansive SKU with different products, servicing a client gets unwieldy for technicians unfamiliar with the operating properties of each technology.
For both consumers and technicians, product standardization reduces confusion and drives more professional installation and service results. According to Bizfluent, product standardization can improve quality, increase profits and streamline the business.
Standardizing on one cloud platform can make you more efficient in the field and save thousands of dollars in training and retraining annually per employee. While standardization is key to profitability, it’s equally important to select the kind of platform that lets you add a vast array of new services on the fly, like mobile credentialing and geo-location capabilities—again, with little or no additional training required.
What are your costs for training and education? Consider standardizing on products and a cloud-hosted
integrated security management solution to ease the burden and bring profitability to your security business.
May 2, 2018
The Connected Cloud -- May 2018
THE
Connected CLOUD
News,
Feature Updates, Webinars, Events & Resources
May 2018
Device Health Dashboard & Report
We’ve
recently revamped the Device Health Dashboard on the Connect ONE Dealer
Site and included proactive notifications to dealer support personnel.
The
dashboard has been revamped to include multiple trouble status
indicators for devices. Previously it only showed communication
supervision troubles, now it also includes: AC Power, Low Battery,
Network / Phone Line Troubles, and any Zone Troubles.In addition to the dashboard update, the weekly status email to your dealer support has been updated to show any device trouble ...
[Read More]
September 6, 2017
The Connected Cloud -- September 2017
THE
Connected CLOUD
News,
Feature Updates, Webinars, Events & Resources
September
2017
New
Service for Dealers Who Want to Take Their Business to the Next Level
Provide your building and
facilities management customers automatic notification capabilities
with easy and seamless tracking of service, critical events, and
incidents with the new Connect ONE® ticket module.
The
Connect ONE® module was designed in response to end-user customers
looking for streamlined methods to track critical event responses,
incidents and repair tickets at one or multiple locations. The module
interfaces directly with the Connect ONE security system application or
can be ...
[Read More]
May 8, 2017
The Connected Cloud -- May 2017
THE
Connected CLOUD
News,
Feature Updates, Webinars, Events & Resources
May
2017
Free
& Reduced Pricing for ScanPass Mobile Credentials
Dealers
have seen success in selling ScanPass Mobile Credentials
and End
Users are realizing the cost savings of not needing to purchase readers
and cards.
We've
now been able to offer a free tier of mobile credentials for up to 10
individuals, just like cards each credential is global for any number
of site locations, i.e. no need to purchase a credential for each
location. Unlike cards, a lost mobile credential can be removed from
the system ...
[Read More]
April 3, 2017
The Connected Cloud -- April 2017
THE Connected CLOUD
News, Feature Updates, Webinars, Events & Resources
April 2017
Push Notifications
Another method of notification now possible with the Connect ONE® Android and Apple Apps Your customer can now enjoy push messages to their mobile device as another method of notification options which already included email, text messaging, and onscreen alerts. Push notifications are enabled through the use of custom Event Rules. Rules are 100% flexible in configuring what type of events and when to receive the notification. In addition, the push notification can be configured to be silent or audible and ...
[Read More]
March 7, 2017
The Connected Cloud -- March 2017
THE Connected CLOUD
News, Feature Updates, Webinars, Events & Resources
March 2017
Critical Carbon Dioxide Monitoring & Historical Logging
Carbon Dioxide sensing joins temperature & humidity in the list of monitored conditions of Connect ONE’s alerting and historical reporting functions. Now your customer can view the real-time carbon dioxide level of a room as well as receive alerts if the pre-defined low or high thresholds are reached. Also, the carbon dioxide level can be logged for historical reporting. The logging intervals are the same as temperature & humidity sensors, which are: 1, 2, 4, or 6 times ...
[Read More]
February 24, 2017
Reason #8: More Opportunities to Expand Your Business
Now you can bundle by connecting any* device that can transmit over the Internet to Connect ONE, allowing management of security and non-security devices:
Intrusion Alarm, Access Control, Video Surveillance, HVAC, Lighting, Critical Temperature & Humidity, Plus Coming Soon Carbon Dioxide Monitoring
People Monitoring with Geolocation Notices and/or Device Activations
Monitor Any* Device, for example, DVR Health Monitoring
Combine all of these services into a single interface and one billing line item
Show you're on the cutting-edge of technology to your prospect
*Monitor Anything requires the device can send a TLS encrypted email
INTRUSION ACCESS CONTROL VIDEO ...
[Read More]
February 14, 2017
The Connected Cloud -- February 2017
THE Connected CLOUD
News, Feature Updates, Webinars, Events & Resources
February 2017
Monitor Anything, Voice Activation, Geolocation, or "You Design It." Now Available with the All New EmailAPI Feature
We’re excited to announce a brand new integration feature called EmailAPI. The EmailAPI feature allows for users and other systems to send Connect ONE emails for monitoring/notifications and/or to activate functions within Connect ONE. For instance, someone using the voice activation feature on their mobile phone can say send email to Connect ONE, provide their pin, and then say the task ...
[Read More]
January 17, 2017
The Connected Cloud -- January 2017
THE Connected CLOUD
News, Feature Updates, Webinars, Events & Resources
January 2017
Support & Change Requests
A Support/Change Request feature is now available directly from the Connect ONE Application
This can be accessed from Utilities or when editing a user and if the user has contact information there is a link that says Send Change Request. It will allow your customer to easily communicate with you about support, service, and change requests. Here's one example your customer can do: They can use the custom fields and Phone/Email contact information to store information about a user, ...
[Read More]
January 13, 2017
Reason #5: Differentiate Your Company
ScanPass®
Mobile Credential, a unique barcode sticker application that requires
no additional hardware or software
No access readers, cards, or door control
modules required
Barcode Identification for Instant Access
May be used in tandem with a conventional card
reader
Easy Access for Multiple Locations
Instant Granted / Denied Feedback on the User's
Device
Lower Costs & More RMR - 200+ Doors per
control panel
Multiple Security Safeguards including
Encryption
Not
Yet a Dealer?
Request
to Become a Dealer Today and Differentiate Your Company
Integrate,
Control and Manage:
Intrusion, Access Control, Video, Energy Management, & ...
[Read More]
December 28, 2016
Reason #4: Garner Substantial RMR Growth
Tangible,
predictable, and profitable recurring monthly revenue
Scalable Pricing:
Affordable for every size project
Customization:
Many ways for you to design the Connect ONE service to meet
your company's financial goals.
Saves time
and money: Dealer Portal to support your Connect ONE
Customers minimizing rolling the trucks for unnecessary service calls.
Not
Yet a Dealer?
Request
to Become a Dealer Today and Garner Substantial RMR Growth
Integrate,
Control and Manage:
Intrusion, Access Control, Video, Energy Management, & Critical
Temperature/Humidity Monitoring
Easy-to-Use Interface available
from Any Web-Enabled Device
The
BEST ...
[Read More]
December 16, 2016
Reason #3: Give Your Technicians Real-Time Control
Give
your technicians real time information and control from any web enabled
device for system status and operation – No need to keep running back and
forth to the keypad for status information
Troubleshoot
Zones, Reset Fire Devices, Operate Access Relays, Complete System
Testing, etc. - One
Technician can easily do the work of Two!
All of this
is possible without any open holes in the customer's network!
Also, the trechnician's smartphone/tablet only requires a
cellular connection to
the Internet, they do not need to be connected
to the customer's network.Request
to Become a Dealer ...
[Read More]
December 2, 2016
Reason #1: Helping You Close More Sales
SmartShow™
- The industry’s most powerful market specific virtual demo and Connect
ONE® exclusive
Differentiate
Your Sales Presentations with Market Specific Demonstrations
Show
Your Customer that You Know their Business
Market
Specific Areas, Zones, Camera Views, Thermostats, Lighting, etc..
Request
to Become a Dealer Today and Close More Sales
Integrate,
Control and Manage:
Intrusion, Access Control, Video, Energy Management, & Critical
Temperature/Humidity Monitoring
Easy-to-Use Interface available
from Any Web-Enabled Device
The
BEST Way to Future-Proof
Your Company
For
more information regarding Connected Technologies™ or
Connect ...
[Read More]
October 11, 2016
The Connected Cloud -- October 2016
THE Connected CLOUD
News, Feature Updates, Webinars, Events & Resources
October 2016
Financial Firm Selects ScanPass® Mobile Credential
Growing CRM provider favors real-time security and human resources accountability
Challenge:
A growing financial services and payment processing company headquartered in the northwest suburbs of Chicago was looking for a higher level of security and human resources accountability for its 5,000-square-foot facility. Ultimately, Debt Pay, Inc., Rolling Meadows, Ill., a Software as a Service (SaaS) Customer Relationship Management (CRM) provider which handles sensitive financial data, selected ScanPass® Mobile Credential powered by Connect ONE® as the access control ...
[Read More]
May 11, 2016
The Connected Cloud -- May 2016
THE Connected CLOUD
News, Feature Updates, Webinars, Events & Resources
May 2016
3rd Party Integration with Open UserAPI
Dealers were asking for one-point data entry for users with memberships such as fitness centers and storage facilities so they could automatically populate the access control database without re-entering data. Connect ONE® by Connected Technologies, LLC delivered, with the Access Expander’s Open Application Programming Interface (API).
Now dealers can integrate their Connect ONE systems with third-party facilities management software via the API, opening the door of opportunity to customers and markets such as multi-tenant, multipurpose rooms, ...
[Read More]
March 7, 2016
The Connected Cloud -- March 2016
THE Connected CLOUD
News, Feature Updates, Webinars, Events & Resources
March 2016
SmartShow™ - Helps Close More Sales
It’s easier than ever to sell Connect ONE® with SmartShow™, the industry’s first vertical-market-specific virtual demonstration. No more sales demos illustrating unrelated projects that leave prospects scratching their heads wondering if you REALLY have the capabilities they need. With SmartShow, demos are tailored to the customer’s premises, illustrating zones, for example, that pertain to their vertical, as well as industry-specific video camera clips.
SmartShow features:
Market-specific demonstrations for ...
[Read More]