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Protected &
Connected: home
security technology
» » WITH BROADBAND SPEEDS RISING
all the time and mobile connectivity
improving capacity and coverage on a
daily basis in the UK, the concept of the
much-discussed home-based Internet
of Things is now a reality. With lights,
thermostats and even pet feeders
being connected via smartphones, the
capability to provide 24-hour protection
to both loved ones and treasured
items is within every householder’s
reach. The latest government research
is predicting that every household in
the UK now owns at least 10 internet
connected devices. As more consumers
take advantage of connected home
technology this number is expected to
increase to 15 devices by 2020.*
In this interview, Devin Chawda, CEO
of home security specialists Y-cam,
explains why 2018 is going to be the year
of the ‘Protected, Connected Home’ and
how locksmiths across the UK can build
their revenue because of it.
‘over 70% of UK households
are still not protected by
a working burglar alarm’
Q: DEVIN, WHY IS 2018 LOOKING
SO IMPORTANT FOR CONNECTED,
SMART HOME DEVICES?
“The UK has now reached a level of
fixed and wireless connectivity that was
unthinkable even five years ago. This
connectivity, together with a big increase in
consumer awareness, has led to a growth
in the control of home utilities like lighting
and heating, but astonishingly over 70%of
UK households are still not protected
by a working burglar alarm**. Surely the
protection of your family, your pets and
treasured items is more important than
controlling the temperature of your living
room? We believe that is a great opportunity
for locksmiths to build their business with
the right home security partner.”
Q: WHAT SHOULD OUR READERS
LOOK FOR WHEN CHECKING
OUT THE LATEST HOME
SECURITY TECHNOLOGY?
“Home security technology has
made rapid advances recently. The
development of the next generation of
self-monitored home protection systems
provides consumers with the opportunity
to check doors, windows, rooms,
gardens and sheds with high quality,
durable and cost-effective technology.
“The best modern systems use
professional standard ‘dual-path’
technology to provide 100% availability. A
built-in SIM card automatically connects
to the strongest mobile network in the
area, and there’s an 8-hour battery
backup, so the system remains fully
operational, even if your internet
connection is down or you have a
power cut. And all of this controlled via a
smartphone.
“And one really important point;
modern systems should have a Cloud
storage facility; in other words, all the
videos from the security cameras are
stored securely away from the premises
and not locally on the camera or a hard
disk drive. Burglars and thieves can’t
rip out the tapes or hard drives from
underneath the stairs anymore!
“With our cameras, every movement
detected during the past seven days
is recorded and stored in your secure
online account, ready to view on your
smartphone.”
Q: WHAT ABOUT DATA SECURITY?
“Y-cam treats the security of our
customers’ data with the highest priority.
We have a range of comprehensive
security protocols which all our
customers benefit from including banking
level encrypted data transmission,
regular automatic security updates,
independent security reviews of all our
platforms and highly skilled advisors.
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | MAY/JUN 2018
Sponsored by Insafe | Loksafe.co.uk | Insafe.com
Q: HOW DIFFICULT IS
THE INSTALLATION?
“Well for skilled, experienced
tradesmen like locksmiths, it is a doddle!
The market leading systems can be
installed via a smartphone. Download
the appropriate app, plug in the power
cable and set up the system from an
iOS or Android smartphone. The alarm
sensors are ‘stick-and-go’. The system
is expandable, so it can be customised
to personal requirements. Some of the
alarm and cameras can even be voice-
controlled by Amazon Echo’s Alexa.”
Q: SO WHY SHOULD A LOCKSMITH
CHOOSE Y-CAM SMART-SECURITY
ALARMS AND CAMERAS?
To put it simply, revenue and profit;
Y-cam can provide an incremental revenue
stream from the hardware, as well as
repeat revenue from the sale of the
optional subscription services that other
manufacturers keep to themselves. We are
an independent, agile, innovative British
company and we support our network of
resellers with a whole range of activities;
discounted demonstration stock, store
POS, tech support and a full marketing and
PR campaign. We also support resellers
with business development tools to help
them promote the fact that they are selling
home security systems like e-mail shots
and personalised collateral. There’s also
a dedicated reseller phone number and
portal for ordering, access to marketing
assets, support, as well as training
videos.”
*http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
technology-43305346
**The Sun March 2017