How traditional alarm manufacturers see the influx of DIY

Most traditional security companies are still not completely at home with DIY products. Daniel Wan, UK Channel Marketing Manager at Honeywell Security & Fire - Security said that despite the increased prevalence of DIY products, the importance of professional installation cannot be dismissed. First of all, installers have a more comprehensive knowledge of the industry and products, which means they would be in a better position to understand a customer’s requirements and suggest the best solution. This not just saves customers time, but also ensures they have peace of mind, assured the best systems are in place. Hassan Uddin Ahmed, International Sales Manager at Pyronix agreed to this, adding that DIY and ‘off-the-shelf’ products that are available on the market tend to be limited, without adequate maintenance or service options. “This makes the level of security they provide a gamble, particularly in terms of reliability when compared to a professional system,” Ahmed said. Federica Pastorello, International Marketing Manager of the Italy-based security solutions provider EL.MO., added that the demands of the security market are too high for the DIY market to address. Alfred Tomasino from the Italy-based company Tre i Systems, noted that an ideal intrusion system should be one that will protect your home, office, store, etc., from vandalism of all types and gives you the possibility of full control through mobile applications. This cannot be obtained from a DIY system purchased and installed by someone who has little to no knowledge of intricacies of professional alarm systems. But there are other companies that believe in keeping their options open. Christian Sittner, Head of Smart Security at Robert Bosch Smart Home said his company will offer both professional and DIY installations to the market, giving consumers the option to choose what they want, although the benefits of the former can’t be denied. “Bosch will offer both options to the market, it is for the customer to decide which type of installation he or she prefers or needs in terms of certification,” said Sittner. “Professional installation has many potential advantages, including monitoring services, customization to address specific site requirements, advanced and complex features not available in DIY solutions, and last but not least the assurance that the installation is done based on industry-best practices and comprehensive professional experience.”