At the event, Steve was able to take the opportunity to explain to delegates how growing demand for networked security products is having a significant impact upon installers as the scope of the IoT widens.

According to Intel, the IoT is predicted to grow from two billion objects in 2006 to 200 billion by 2020, when there will be around 26 smart objects for every human being on Earth. Consumer giants such as Apple, Samsung and Google have recognised the potential of the IoT based smart home, and this simultaneously presents opportunities and threats to the security industry. Risco explained why installers must look beyond their traditional range of activities and services and adopt a positive strategic response to adapt to meet the demands of the modern consumer.

Risco also demonstrated how intruder alarm control panels have the potential to act as the hub of the smart home, by facilitating the interconnection of all other devices. Pointing out the opportunities this presents, visitors will also see how the ability to remotely monitor, configure and maintain an intruder alarm system from any desktop or mobile device is particularly useful, and why the IoT requires installers to focus on a real value proposition that promotes the advantages of these multi-dimensional solutions.

‘The IoT is one of the most exciting developments to affect the security industry and is expanding its influence at a rapid rate,’ commented Steve Riley, Commercial Director, UK&I at Risco. ‘I enjoyed to speaking to delegates at the NSI Installer Summit about how they can use IoT to their advantage by integrating elements such as smoke, heat, flood and carbon monoxide detection, home automation and video verification and into an intruder alarm solution that allows users to monitor the status of their home’s infrastructure in real time through their smartphone and web browser. It all adds up to the type of revenue generating potential that shouldn't be ignored.’