What I Learned from Honeywell’s Scott Harkins in a Pre-ISC West Google Hangout

I, along with 9 other media professionals dedicated to the security industry, was privileged to participate in a Google Hangout with the President of Honeywell Security Products Americas, Scott Harkins. In this informal and rather candid, pre-ISC West Show event, complete with coffee in hand, Harkins' goal was to explain consumer trends and how each trend connects to the home space as well as business. Overall, consumer trends are changing as consumer's expectations are changing, and the way the security industry responds is the key to success.

According to Harkins, there are six trends that are shaping the way in which the security industry must respond to consumers, whether in the residential or business sector.

Smartphones – These devices are becoming the way that we, as a society, interact with the world. In fact, Smartphones have taken command of the market by becoming 75% of all cell phones within society. Therefore, whatever type of security product that a consumer purchases, it needs to interact with a Smartphone to create ease-of-use.

Pervasiveness of Broadband – Basically, whoever wants the Internet has it, so the security industry must find a way to fill this pipeline by providing products that interact with the Internet as well as the consumer.

Touchscreen – Consumers are seeking an interactive experience with the world around them due to Smartphones, televisions, computers, cars, etc. all having touchscreen capability. Historically, the security industry utilized no touchscreens, with only 2% of the whole industry implementing keypads.

Integration – Consumers are expecting more and more from their security systems. They want products that will turn the lights off and on, lock and unlock doors, adjust temperatures as well as protect their environments. Basically, consumers are seeking connections, so products must be able to do more than one task.

The Cloud – "Approximately 74% of all businesses use some sort of cloud service," said Harkins. He believes that the term "cloud" is a overused, but agrees that it is the beginning of a significant transition that allows security product solution providers to create and deploy systems at a cheaper cost and pass the savings on to the consumer.

Overall User Experience – Every interaction with a security product must impact consumers, whether they are the end users or the dealers. From how a product is packaged to how it comes out of the packaging to how it hangs on the wall to providing an app to control other things, the consumer expects each of these experiences to provide them with some type of impact.

How is Honeywell responding to these consumer trends?

Honeywell invested, and is still investing thousands, of dollars to interview numerous consumers to determine their expectations when it comes to security products. So far, Honeywell has learned that consumers want to make sure the experience in their home, at their wall, with their security system is rich. Consumers do not want to be totally dependent on their Smartphones or tablet to interact with their system, although they do want this option offered to them. So, Honeywell makes sure that each of their products is intuitive, easy-to-install, and provides life safety and life style functionality.

"The reality is trying to understand what the consumer wants," said Harkins. And, by taking such a proactive approach to learning the consumers needs and wants seems to be one of the keys to Honeywell's overall success in the security industry.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”