Alula’s recently launched Pro Portal is receiving industry attention from SDM.
SDM’s Digital Shuffle, which feature’s the industry’s best digital implementations, gave a nod to the new Pro portal.
Alula Pro Roundtable: Insights on the ADT/Google Partnership
Alula recently hosted an interactive panel discussion with insiders from various segments of the security industry to discuss a number of changes and developments impacting the security industry, from Google’s partnership with ADT to the effects of COVID-19 and social unrest. Below are some key takeaways from this wide-ranging and informative discussion:
Tech Giants Entering the Market
The recent partnership between Google and ADT highlighted a number of factors, the first of which is the value of the professional channel, specifically the “feet on the street” and technical leadership necessary to bring value to the connected home/connected business experience. That Google would partner with ADT to launch security offerings demonstrates how much value there is in the professional channel.
This deal also underscores the point that security is the lead technology that ties a lot of automation solutions together in the home or business. Security, life safety and protection services becomes the lead element and drives the adoption of other connected devices. Big tech hasn’t quite figured out how to monetize the connected home yet, but the security industry has. The value of the professional channel and the dealers who will participate in this deal are now highlighted in Google’s investment and their partnership with ADT.
Security is in a great position, with Google coming onto the professional installer’s turf, and if installers continue to innovate and differentiate themselves in the marketplace, everyone is going to have a bigger piece of pie.
More than Technology
Google has been making bets on devices with Nest and Dropcam. This latest development demonstrates Google’s desire to monetize those investments and its recognition that it takes more than technology to be a success in security.
This may be the first of many dominoes to fall because based on how this partnership works out, it’s safe to assume that we’ll see more movement into security from other tech giants like Amazon (which has already entered the market with its acquisition of Ring).
Like Google, Amazon hasn’t had a ton of success monetizing their devices, so you can be sure they’re watching the Google-ADT partnership to see what works and what doesn’t. And they’ll likely be looking for their own “feet on the street” partner – or straight-up acquisition – in the not-so-distant future.
Where the large tech companies have missed the boat is in the services aspect that goes along with the technology. Devices themselves are one-off sales, but the professional security market has long realized that the real money is made in the recurring revenue component from service offerings. Traditionally, that may have been monitored security intrusion going into a central station, but those services have become more all-encompassing in recent years. So while Google and others may have been entering security from a technology standpoint, a more accurate measure of their penetration going forward will have to include some consideration of recurring revenue elements around those companies’ devices.
Security in an Uncertain World
Security has long been an event-driven purchase, and pandemics and social unrest are certainly events. Uncertainly, anxiety and change seem to be the new normal in day-to-day life, and as a result there is a greater desire to settle in and protect. As a result, we’re seeing an uptick on security devices going into homes, and people turn to people they trust, and in security and life safety, that tends to be a company with a local presence. This is where an ADT comes into play from Google’s perspective. While we don’t know what the world is going to look like in the next 18 to 24 months, the good news is that recent events haven’t negatively impacted the security industry. It’s just forced people to rethink how they go to market and how they do business.
What’s Next?
Between the global pandemic, social unrest, new players entering the market and other changes and uncertainty, the security industry needs to be flexible and creative. This opens up opportunities to bring a heightened level of service to emphasize the customer experience, support and professionalism. At the same time, we need to be mindful of the relationship we have with our customers, which, as Google recognized, is as much a factor in business success as the technology itself.
Alula Launches Wireless Outdoor Siren to Protect the Yard
The new device adds to an outdoor security products line that includes an outdoor gate sensor, outdoor motion detector, outdoor bullet camera and doorbell camera
Alula, the leader in smart security and automation systems for professional installers and the award-winning inventors of the Connect+ Platform, today announced the latest addition to its line of outdoor security products, the RE636 Wireless Outdoor Siren.
The Wireless Outdoor Siren is an extended perimeter warning device that produces high volume alert sounds and visual strobing. The device provides an early warning to summon help in the event of burglary, smoke or carbon monoxide alarm conditions. The siren’s volume and strobe lights are adjustable through AlulaConnect to accommodate any installation scenario, and the siren can be incorporated into home automation routines through Alula’s Scenes engine.
“In an emergency, there’s no time to waste, and we’ve seen tragic instances where first responders weren’t able to find the right house,” says Dave Mayne, VP of Products for Alula. “With the outdoor siren, there’s a flashing light that tells police and firefighters exactly where help is needed. Eliminating confusion in those crucial moments can save lives.”
The RE636 includes a multi-cadence siren, 2-5 year battery life (batteries included), and IP56 water resistant enclosure. The siren can be installed with AC power by routing the power supply wire through the hole in the back plastic, while wall mounting can be achieved by securing the siren to a surface with the included mounting screws. The Connect+ panel supports up to eight RE636 sirens at one time for especially large properties.
“There has been a dynamic shift with people spending more time at home this year,” said Alula CEO Brian McLaughlin. “It’s more important than ever to feel secure at home, and the Outdoor Siren offers an early warning that can save lives and provide peace of mind.”
Alula’s Slimline Touchpad honored in SIA’s New Product Showcase
Alula, the leader in smart security and automation systems for professional installers and the award-winning inventors of the Connect+ Platform, was recognized by the Security Industry Association (SIA) with a New Product Showcase Award in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Solutions category for their Slimline Touchpad. The awards are presented in coordination with ISC West — revealed on July 9 as part of a virtual presentation ceremony.
Alula’s Slimline Touchpad was commended by the judges for its ability to instantly modernize old security panels with at-a-glance control of video, security, environmental and automation sensors. The Touchpad creates an encrypted feed to Alula Video Cameras, including the Video Doorbell, so customers can see, hear and speak to people at the doorstep.
Installers have acknowledged the touchpad for its ease of use. The touchscreen looks and drives just like the Alula smartphone app, with a vivid 7” landscape view. That means only one set of controls to teach, with no manual needed, which saves security professionals both time and money.
“We’re honored to be recognized for the innovative Slimline Touchpad,” said Brian McLaughlin, CEO, Alula, “We’ve heard back from partners that the Slimline Touchpad is a system-seller that their customers love. This award from SIA is wonderful recognition of the hard work of our talented engineers.”
SIA’s new product showcase awards strive to recognize innovative physical security products, services and solutions. The technologies showcased provide the most innovative products on the frontline of security. Alula’s 2020 New Product Award win for the Slimline Touchpad follows up a 2019 SIA Award for the Bat-Connect communicator.
The Slimline Touchpad is now available pre-programmed as part of a new Connect+ kit that can be set up by a professional or an end-user with Pro assistance in 30 minutes or less.
“We know that a customer’s satisfaction with their security system will largely depend on their experience with the app and the home touchscreen controls,” says Dave Mayne, Vice President of Product Management at Alula. “That’s why we worked so hard to create a seamless user experience across those screens. Thank you SIA for continuing to recognize and celebrate innovation in our industry.”
About Alula
Alula is the only all-in-one security and home automation platform purpose-built for today’s independent security and installation professionals. From sensors to hub to network, Alula offers a complete, end-to-end solution and one accountable partner. Today, thousands of partners across North America have over 300,000 active locations secured and connected with Alula. Designed for professionals, the Alula platform provides a complete security, automation and video solution for renters, homeowners and commercial installations. Alula is a business-driven platform designed to reduce truck rolls, increase RMR, simplify inventory and put today’s professional providers in control of their business, their customers and their revenue. The Alula platform is available nationwide through distributors that cater to the alarm and integrator industry. For more information about the Slimline Touchpad, visit https://alula.com/slimline-touchpad/ . For more information about Alula, visit https://alula.com.
Coronavirus Opens Commercial Security Opportunities
Providing security systems to commercial clients during the pandemic is vital opportunity to help those businesses stay ahead in uncertain times.
Originally published in CE Pro
Owning and managing a business day-to-day is challenging in normal times. But in a global health emergency like the coronavirus where tens of millions of workers are being told to stay home, customers are keeping their distance and supply chains are in a state of upheaval, the combined challenges can seem overwhelming.
Buildings are empty or operating with a skeleton crew. Assets are being left unattended. The familiar faces who deliver goods on a regular schedule are being replaced by strangers who come and go at different times.
Business owners are concerned not just about the security of their operations, but about keeping business moving along in a world that changes constantly.
Security integrators can help them on both fronts.
In the new business landscape, where face-to-face interactions are not an option, remote control, remote access and full visibility into properties and assets have become critically important. Enterprises that use fully integrated, cloud-based security systems will find the day-to-day challenges less daunting.
With the right technology in place, businesses can worry less and get back to doing what they do best: serving the customer.
Integrated Security Helps Overcome Challenges
Social distancing rules during the pandemic mean businesses of all kinds face a fearsome new hurdle: keeping operations going with few or no people on site while serving customers who don’t dare venture outside the house.
But commerce goes on, after a fashion. People still access properties to perform necessary work, although they’re discouraged from interfacing with others. And properties and assets—which are more vulnerable now–still need to be kept secure.
For many businesses, securing the operation means using some combination of intrusion prevention, video surveillance, access control and energy management. Some businesses use four separate systems with four separate interfaces to handle these critical functions.
Four separate systems is complex enough on a normal day, but during an emergency that upends daily life and keeps people home, patchwork systems like these quickly become untenable. And they also don’t offer a complete view.
Access Control, for example, will show who entered a specific segment of the building, but doesn’t see movement inside a property. Cameras can detect movement, but they can’t determine if they’re seeing an authorized person or not. It is through interactions between systems that a more complete picture is formed.
Additionally, in a fragmented security setup, security and access systems are set up to run according to a certain set routine, which in normal times might be easy to stick to. But if a single routine changes—for example, if a delivery schedule changes—all four of these systems must be updated to account for the change.
And since the pandemic started, constant change has become the norm. Staffing levels and schedules have changed. Access patterns have changed. And because of social distancing protocols, personnel are scattered and working at different times, which means people may need access to places they didn’t use before.
Business today is a fluid situation, and every change four times is not just inefficient and prone to errors. Today, it’s next to impossible.
Combining all of these functions into a single interface is the way businesses can resume some version of normal operations. It’s also the way the security integrator goes far beyond the role of watchdog, and helps business owners manage the day-to-day functioning of their business.
Go Beyond Just Access Control
The way for them to get these features without piling cost and complexity on top of an already difficult situation is to use a solution that unites all of these functions in a cloud-based system, and offers them on a single interface.
Disparate systems are complex even when things are going smoothly, and it may be awhile before things run smoothly again. Marrying the various critical functions of security, access and building management is a necessity now, but will remain immensely valuable long after the pandemic has passed.
Alula’s cloud-based security platform has been giving businesses simple remote control of their operations for years, and we’ve recently extended our platform in a way that’s especially useful in the new business climate we’re only now beginning to see play out. We’ve expanded and tightened the integration on the intrusion side. Beyond just remote control, we now view all sensor and user activity. We provide full remote visibility into a broad range of intrusion systems
Partnering with Brivo, the global leader in cloud-based physical security, means offering a maintenance-free, cloud-to-cloud API integration that makes it easy for integrators to install and configure both systems quickly.
Intrusion detection, access control and interactive features like video and energy management can all be accomplished remotely, and from a single interface.
This is the kind of flexibility and simplicity that businesses need in a fast-changing situation where all of the normal processes have been turned upside-down.
Business owners, for example, can now remotely manage unattended delivery, allowing the delivery person to access a portion of a property without risk of generating a false alarm, and getting verification that the delivery occurred – even including visual verification of the package.
New or temporary employees can now disarm a security system without having to share a code, managing this all through the access badges every employee receives. Video events can now be tagged with details of specific security and access control events, making it easier to sort through weeks of surveillance video.
Business owners and managers need to focus on how to serve a customer who’s needs have dramatically changed – leaving little time to constantly configure and change multiple different security and access systems.
While this type of integration is prompted by the current challenge, early adopters will find it offers benefits long into the future.
Dave Mayne is Vice President of Product Management at Alula, the leader in smart home security and automation systems for professional installers and the award-winning inventors of the Connect+ Platform. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn.
Alula Marketing VP Brad LaRock featured in SDM
Alula Marketing VP Brad LaRock is featured in SDM magazine’s new “State of the Market” report for 2020.
LaRock comments on the Interlogix shutdown at the end of 2019 and the opportunities it opened up for innovation.
Brad LaRock, vice president of marketing at Alula, an all-in-one security and home automation platform based in St. Paul, Minn., says 2019 was a year of transition, partially due to big companies such as Interlogix closing their doors.
Alula took advantage of the instability by creating new solutions, such as the Connect-XT, which helped professional installers upgrade Simon panels after the Interlogix shutdown.
“Innovations like this led to over 50 percent growth in activations for Alula Interactive,” LaRock says.
LaRock also discussed how Covid-19 has led to a surge in partner wishing to offer a customer-installed do-it-with-me solution.
Alula has seen increased interest in adoption of its pro-guided, contactless install model since the pandemic started.
“The industry had already started dipping a toe in self-install models to compete with big tech DIY brands, but with the sudden onset of social distancing, we expect this trend to markedly accelerate with every company exploring new ways to reach customers without face-to-face exposure,” LaRock says.
Read the whole article here.
Alula’s New Connect-XT Offers First Ever Remotely Installed 5G-Ready Sunset Fix
Alula, the leader in smart security and automation systems for professional installers, announced a solution for dealers to stay on track to upgrade smart home security systems to meet the approaching 3G cellular sunset. Connect-XT provides dealers with an easy-to-install product that upgrades an outdated panel while servicing customers in a safe way.
Connect-XT, which can easily upgrade Simon XT, XTi and XTi5 panels to a modern, mobile, interactive security experience, can now be easily installed at home. Alula is the first to offer a 5G-ready cell card that can easily be installed by the end-user. This allows Pro installers to get ahead of their sunset obligations even if they are unable to do an in-person visit due to concerns around Coronavirus.
The new CAT-m1 cellular card interacts with the Simon panel serial automation interface, providing full sensor status, system status and arming controls. Not only will this card save Simon products from the upcoming 3G sunset, but it is also compatible with the 5G standard as well, meaning that Security Pros and their Simon customers need not worry about the next cellular sunset.
Beyond technological upgrades, the Connect-XT offers a solution for customers who are hesitant to have individuals enter their homes in these unprecedented times. The Connect-XT’s easy, one-tool installation allows for any individual with a legacy system and a screwdriver to complete the upgrade.
“At Alula, we are striving to do our part to maintain business operations and safety for our partners and their customers during a time of social distancing and uncertainty,” said Paul Saldin, Vice President of Engineering at Alula. “Providing this first-to-market product for an incredibly easy install gives Security Pros the opportunity to get ahead of the Sunset even if they can’t visit a customer’s house right now.”
During the development of the Connect-XT, the Alula engineering team drew on deep knowledge of the Simon products and harnessed this insight to deliver a solution that’s easy to install and upgrades the functionality.
“No longer must a security dealer choose between maintaining a security system and adhering to appropriate social distance protocol,” Saldin said. “The Connect-XT is a solution designed to keep our partners and their customers safe.”
ABOUT ALULA
Alula is the only all-in-one security and home automation platform purpose-built for today’s independent security and installation professionals. From sensors to hub to network, Alula offers a complete, end-to-end solution and one accountable partner. Today, thousands of partners across North America have over 300,000 active locations secured and connected with Alula. Designed for professionals, the Alula platform provides a complete security, automation and video solution for renters, homeowners and commercial installations. Alula is a business-driven platform designed to reduce truck rolls, increase RMR, simplify inventory and put today’s professional providers in control of their business, their customers and their revenue. The Alula platform is available nationwide through distributors that cater to the alarm and integrator industry. For more information about the Connect-XT, visit https://alula.com/connect-xt/. For more information about Alula, visit https://alula.com.
Alula’s Slimline Touchpad Honored as Most Valuable Product for 2020
Alula, the leader in smart security and automation systems for professional installers, has won Security Sales & Integration award for the 2020 Most Valuable Product (MVP) for the Slimline Touchpad, the latest security and automation interface to deliver the integrated app experience powered by Alula Interactive.
This award acknowledges superior products and services for electronic security industry professionals. While the MVP Award is typically announced at ISC West, due to the postponement of the event, Security Sales & Integration has announced the award winners ahead of this year’s conference.
“I don’t envy the panel of independent expert judges who had to evaluate and select winners among so many outstanding solutions,” says Security Sales & Integration Editor-in-Chief/Associate Publisher Scott Goldfine. “But pick they did, and those entrants should be quite proud of the achievement while dealers and integrators should be paying very close attention so as to integrate these offerings into their portfolios.”
Released March 2020, the updated Slimline Touchpad controls every aspect of a modern security system, delivering control of video cameras, Z-Wave devices and intrusion and environmental sensors. It offers the ability to add audible zone status so that the device announces when a door or window opens and closes, and has a user interface that matches the cell phone app, which is unique in the industry.
“Alula is honored to receive this award for innovation and to offer our partners a modern solution for onsite interactive control,” said Brian McLaughlin, CEO of Alula. “The ability to take a clunky old keypad off the wall and replace it with a modern, interactive security and automation experience is a game changer for our partners and another reason why Pros are flocking to Alula as the fresh new alternative.”
The Slimline Touchpad works with the BAT-Connect Communicator as well as Alula’s award-winning Connect+ panel. Unlike competing products that have limited functionality for additional touchpads away from the hub, the Connect+ allows subscribers to have four fully functional Slimline Touchpads spread throughout the home.
MVP entries were judged on a number of factors, including innovation, functionality, competitive advantages, benefits to the installer or monitoring provider and value to the end user.
ABOUT ALULA
Alula is the only all-in-one security and home automation platform purpose-built for today’s independent security and installation professionals. From sensors to hub to network, Alula offers a complete, end-to-end solution and one accountable partner. Today, thousands of partners across North America have over 300,000 active locations secured and connected with Alula. Designed for professionals, the Alula platform provides a complete security, automation and video solution for renters, homeowners and commercial installations. Alula is a business-driven platform designed to reduce truck rolls, increase RMR, simplify inventory and put today’s professional providers in control of their business, their customers and their revenue. The Alula platform is available nationwide through distributors that cater to the alarm and integrator industry. For more information about the Slimline Touchpad, visit https://alula.com/slimline-touchpad/. For more information about Alula, visit https://alula.com/.
Solving the Residential Security Conundrum of COVID-19
The novel coronavirus is causing a sea change in consumer behavior, but security professionals who stay customer-centric in times like these will find ways to strengthen their position.
Originally published by Security Sales & Integration
Consumers are craving safety in a world that seems increasingly dangerous. And while they’re eager to use sophisticated technology to secure their families and their homes, they’re not likely to open their doors to the professionals who install and maintain such security systems.
It’s a conundrum the likes of which the professional security installer hasn’t seen before, and it’s sending ripples of anxiety through the industry: Is this the moment I lose my customers to tech giants like Google and Amazon who offer out-of-the-box solutions that will turn millions of consumers into self-reliant, DIYers?
The answer to this question is no. In fact, this is the moment the professional installer becomes more important to consumers than ever, and even grows the business in ways that might not have been impossible just a few months ago.
The spread of COVID-19 is causing a sea change in consumer behavior, and professionals who stay customer-centric in times like these will find ways to strengthen their position, and show that now more than ever the human touch matters — even if it must be done at a distance.
The Contactless Install
With home visits to customers off the table in many states, the only way forward is to offer a self-install option, which means pre-provisioning many components of a security system on the bench before shipping an out-of-the-box-ready system to customers’ doorsteps.
While some professionals have been offering this option for quite some time, others have resisted, believing that giving the consumer too many “tools” means cutting the installer completely out of the picture.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed that. For the time being, there is no home visit and working side-by-side with the customer in person, so giving consumers the tools they need to install their own systems with remote help from the pro is the only option.
But this doesn’t have to diminish the role of the professional. In fact, it’s the opposite. Consumers need experts now more than ever, especially when it comes to personal safety.
Other industries are moving ahead by replacing in-person meetings with Zoom calls and finding other tech-enabled workarounds. We must do the same, because our customers need us.
Beyond Survival: Think Growth
Without the burden of having to drive to meet a customer, security pros can expand their horizons. Sending pre-provisioned security systems— and working with the customer over video chat to perform the installs — means customers can now be located anywhere.
But finding those customers may be a different challenge. Going door to door is unlikely to yield the usual results.
That means a shift to digital advertising. Stuck at home, and with the Internet as their guide, consumers are increasingly reaching out to the dealers who are visible and easy to find online. To capitalize on this trend, consider:
- Claiming your position online by strengthening your social media presence
- Leveraging Google Ads for improved visibility
- Refreshing your website content with COVID-19 specific messages
We don’t know how long it will take to go back to normal, but when we get there, you’ll be well-served with the digital presence you establish now.
Choose the Right Tech
This can be a time of growth for security professionals, not mere survival. But like all adaptations, it requires choosing the right tools for the challenge.
If you’re still pulling wires, unfortunately there’s not going to be much you can do to pivot to customers self-installing. You need reliable wireless security that is professional-grade but still simple enough for an end user to install.
At Alula, we have Connect+, a standalone hub that requires no drilling and receives upgrades and firmware updates remotely. That means you can install and service the panel without ever having to enter the customer’s home.
However, we recommend that you plan to visit the premises once this pandemic lifts. This will be a chance to spot check the install and tackle any projects (such as mounting a touchpad) that may have exceeded the customer’s aptitude.
The follow-up visit is also a great opportunity to upsell: add cameras or additional touchpads, for example. We’ve made our system modular so it’s easy to add onto without having to start over like you would with some systems that hardlock the touchpad into the security hub.
Nobody knows how long this is going to last. You can’t just wait it out and hope it goes back to normal before you go broke. The pro-guided self-install gives our industry a way forward.
There is an old saying in politics: Never let a good crisis go to waste. This might be the biggest crisis our industry has ever faced, but it can also be our greatest opportunity to grow.
Ron Long is VP of Operations and Customer Experience at Alula, a leader in smart home security and automation systems for professional installers. Connect with Ron on LinkedIn.
Alula Expands Team To Reinforce Importance of the Dealer Channel
ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Alula, a leader in smart home security and automation systems for professional installers, announced the addition of Warren Hill as Director of Partner Development. In this role, Hill will continue to drive the company’s engagement within the professional dealer channel and deepen Alula’s partnerships within the smart home security industry.
Hill joins Alula from UTC Fire & Security, a division of United Technologies, where he spent nearly a decade in various leadership roles. Most recently as Vice President of Partner Solutions, Hill designed, built, launched and grew the company’s customer loyalty program and led the development of a customer web portal.
“I look forward to continuing my work supporting professional security partners in my new role with Alula,” Hill said. “Our industry is evolving and I believe Alula is well positioned to help professionals keep pace with enhancements in technology and tools that will help grow their business.”
Prior to Hill’s time at UTC Fire & Security, he was the Director of Small Business Sales at American Express where he led a number of sales and services teams and initiated the start up of multiple new processes. As a Global Product Manager at General Electric, Hill managed the lifecycle of multiple software and technical products.
“We’re excited to have Warren join the team,” said Brad LaRock, VP of Marketing at Alula. “The Connect Family of Products is seeing strong adoption in the professional installer community and that interest helped us grow our core base of partners by over 30% last year. Warren will help us advance the complete offering we’ve built for Alula Pros, including our new Pro Program.”
The Alula Pro Program was launched earlier this year and supports partners with the marketing, training and sales assets needed to succeed and grow their business with Alula. This comprehensive new program creates community and empowers independent, local security companies to compete with large tech companies that have encroached on the security space with well-funded marketing operations.
“At Alula, we recognize professional dealers are an integral piece of the industry’s growth and innovation,” added Todd Hokunson, SVP of Sales at Alula. “We are thrilled to have Warren join the team. He will connect new and existing partners to Alula’s Pro Program, giving them access to a robust set of tools and services to help them serve their customers and promote their business.”
ABOUT ALULA
Alula is the only vertically integrated security and home automation platform purpose-built for today’s independent security and installation professionals. From sensors to hub to network, Alula offers a complete, end-to-end solution and one accountable partner. Today, thousands of partners across North America have nearly 300,000 active locations secured and connected with Alula. Designed for professionals, the Alula platform provides a complete security, automation and video solution for renters, homeowners and commercial installations. Alula is a business-driven platform designed to reduce truck rolls, increase RMR, simplify inventory and put today’s professional providers in control of their business, their customers and their revenue. The Alula platform is available nationwide through distributors that cater to the alarm and integrator industry. For more information about Alula, visit https://alula.com/.
