Monitronics International - Experts & Thought Leaders

Monitronics International, Inc. and its subsidiaries doing business as Brinks Home Security has announced that it has reached an agreement on a new long-term contract with its major Authorised Dealer, Skyline Security (‘Skyline’), which extends their partnership for another five years. The new agreement is expected to improve the Brinks Home Security’s overall profitability through a reduction in the up-front cost to acquire accounts while providing Skyline with an increased share of long-term revenues. Strategic partnership with Skyline “We are very pleased to continue our partnership with Skyline,” said William Niles, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brinks Home Security, adding “With an unwavering commitment to quality and customer service, Skyline and its leaders understand and support our mission of providing the best customer experience in the smart home security industry.” William adds, “I look forward to working with Skyline CEO, Edwin Arroyave, and his team to build upon the outstanding foundation and trust we have established between these two terrific organisations. Together we are stronger.” Smart home security services firm Skyline Security has one of the largest door-to-door sales organisations in the smart home security industry With a nationwide footprint, Skyline Security has one of the largest door-to-door sales organisations in the smart home security industry. “Edwin Arroyave, Stewart Powell, and the entire Skyline team are the best around, and I appreciate the trust they’ve placed in us,” said Wade Gibson, Senior Vice President of Network Sales, Brinks Home Security, adding “Together, we are building America’s best dealer program and we look forward to a meaningful, industry-leading collaboration.” Creating mutually beneficial partnerships The agreement is part of Brinks Home Security’s ongoing strategic efforts to transform the dealer model by creating mutually beneficial partnerships that improve Brinks’ profitability, while also providing dealers with more predictable long-term cash flows. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished as partners over the last few years, and I look forward to leveraging those efforts to provide the best customer experience in the industry,” said Edwin Arroyave, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Skyline Security, adding “Serving others and protecting people is why I started this business and I believe the security and peace of mind we provide our customers has never been more valuable.”

The ESA Youth Scholarship provides funds to recent high school graduates whose parents are first responders Hikvision USA, North American provider of CCTV and IP video surveillance products, is a supporting the Electronic Security Association (ESA) Youth Scholarship. With co-contributors DMP and Monitronics, Hikvision is making it possible for ESA to provide college scholarships to two recent high school graduates whose parents are first responders.  ESA Youth Scholarship Programme Since its creation in 1996, the ESA Youth Scholarship Programme has awarded $621,500 in scholarship funds to children of police officers and firefighters. ESA, its affiliated chartered chapters, and sponsoring companies within the security industry make these scholarships possible and help young people achieve their goals of higher education."The police officers and firefighters that protect and serve our communities are true heroes and deserve our unwavering gratitude," said ESA President Marshall Marinace. "These men and women put their lives on the line every day, and ESA on behalf of the electronic security industry is pleased to support these incredible families. Awarding scholarships to the first responders’ impressive children is one of the ways we can thank our deserving public safety partners and do our part to make their lives just a little easier."Scholarship winners Applicants were asked to write essays explaining what it meant to them to have their parent involved in securing the community. This year’s first-place winner was Katherine Waugh of Joel Barlow High School in Easton, Connecticut. Her father, Steven Waugh, is chief at Easton Volunteer Fire Company #1 and was on the front line when Hurricane Sandy struck Connecticut. The second-place winner, Trevor Carney, recently graduated from Irondequoit High School in Rochester, New York. His father, Patrick Carney, is a member of the Rochester Police Department. Both winners will be recognised at the Public Safety Luncheon at the Electronic Security Expo (ESX) in Fort Worth, Texas on June 9th.“Hikvision recognises the invaluable contributions of first responders in keeping all of us safe,” commented Jeffrey He, president of Hikvision USA and Hikvision Canada. “It is our honor to support the children of first responders, and we wish these young people the greatest success in their future endeavours.”To learn about Hikvision’s comprehensive product suite of video surveillance solutions, see them in person at ESX, booth 311, June 8th-10th.

 Addition of these products allows Monitronics to offer a portfolio of reliable security and home control devices   Tyco Security Products is pleased to announce that Monitronics has selected the DSC PowerSeries Neo platform and the DSC Touch all-in-one smart panel to be part of its authorised dealer programme, a network with more than 600 dealers from throughout North America. A portfolio of up-to-date security devices The addition of these two products is part of Monitronics plan to offer its dealers a portfolio of the latest and most reliable security and home control devices. PowerSeries Neo is a flexible hybrid intrusion platform that offers a wide range of devices with PowerG Technology. DSC Touch is a 7-inch smart touchscreen panel that supports security, life safety and home control technology. Dealers who are part of the Monitronics Authorised Dealer Program will be able to purchase and install devices from the PowerSeries Neo suite of products and the DSC Touch smart panel, and in turn receive financing for each account. “We are pleased to be included in Monitronics Authorised Dealer program and to be able to offer dealers the latest and most innovative hybrid intrusion platform available on the market today,” said David Grinstead, Vice President of Global Sales, Tyco Security Products. “Our PowerSeries Neo platform leverages our industry leading PowerG wireless technology and offers a full suite of sensors, including door /window contacts, smoke detectors, PIRs and motion detectors with integrated cameras.”  The DSC Touch smart panel offers remotely managed upgrades to ensure software is kept up-to-date Product flexibility for dealers Bruce Mungiguerra, Senior Vice President of Operations for Monitronics, believes that product flexibility gives a major competitive edge to companies in its dealer program. “We give our authorised dealers freedom to offer the latest technology from the best manufacturers and distributors,” Mungiguerra said. “We’re constantly searching for attractive options that will help to drive business growth, and the PowerSeries Neo and DSC Touch will handle even the most demanding needs of our customers.” PowerSeries Neo is designed to cut operational costs for dealers and provide ultimate reliability for end users. The platform leverages a powerful combination of state-of-the-art technologies infused with PowerG 2-way wireless communication to deliver secure, reliable communications channels, innovative alarm verification solutions and a robust remote service software suite. Remote Diagnostics Software allows Monitronics to diagnose, inspect and maintain the system without having to travel to the customer premise, and System Administrator software enables easier end-user system maintenance. DSC Touch offers cloud based firmware upgrades that are managed remotely to reduce truck rolls and to ensure the latest software updates are incorporated into the system. It includes Android-based software, Alarm.com integration, dual-path connectivity with integrated Wi-Fi and Cellular and Z-Wave enabled technology.

Monitronics’ ProShop offers sales and marketing materials to its dealer network as a valuable resource Monitronics Security, headquartered in Dallas, continues to stress the importance of professional monitoring services to its dealers and their customers as a critical component of recurring monthly revenue (RMR). “Traditional dealers need to emphasise the advantages of live, around-the-clock monitoring for anyone considering a non-traditional provider or do-it-yourself (DIY) with a self-monitored or unmonitored solution,” says Bruce Mungiguerra, senior vice president of Operations. “It’s not just about quicker response times, but also about getting guidance during an emergency. If dealers emphasise the role of a well-trained agent and an award-winning monitoring station, the value proposition becomes evident,” he says. Mungiguerra says customers are increasingly interested in home automation technology, although there still is a strong component of home security involved in the mix. “Video is emerging as a popular option, since it does dual duty as a security tool (monitoring the home) and a non-security tool. For example, many users report utilising live video just to watch their pets – not necessarily to check on them, but simply to watch them.” Positioning for success For dealers, a strong value proposition also involves the ability to listen to customers, get guidance from a dealer program and an awareness of what the most popular offerings are. “With home automation gaining in popularity, they also should be examining ways of hiring and retaining quality technical staff, particularly those who are familiar with wireless security and technology,” says Mungiguerra. "Video is emerging as a popular option, since it does dual duty as a security tool (monitoring the home) and a non-security tool" says Bruce Mungiguerra, senior VP Operations, Monitronics Security Monitronics Security provides a number of programs and tools that allow security companies to add services and corresponding streams of revenue. For example, the Monitronics Dealer Program provides valuable resources for smaller companies who want to add RMR. They work with packages that are set as entry points to each service level and allow flexibility to upsell additional products and services. They can take advantage of customisable marketing and sales collateral available through a “ProShop” that can be individually branded specifically for their needs and their sales strategy. The company also offers a variety of training programs that show dealers innovative ways to approach development of RMR and suggest new avenues and techniques to pursue. Expanding dealer network As far as competing with giants such as Time-Warner, AT&T and Comcast, Monitronics Security believes local dealers need to capitalise on their advantages over larger competitors. “They are typically well-known in their areas and are familiar with local needs and demographics. They have experienced, well-trained personnel who not only can consistently perform and support quality installs, but also are fully aware of local ordinances and licensing requirements. Since many of the larger companies have reputations for inferior customer support, local companies can emphasise customer service, relationships and word-of-mouth referrals. Finally, they can add many of the resources that are available to larger players – such as marketing and branding – by becoming part of a dealer network which can offer assistance in those areas.” Mungiguerra says that in addition to the company’s award-winning monitoring, Monitronics Security would like to be known for the freedom it gives the companies who are part of its dealer network. “They are given a large amount of independence to pursue building their brand, while making use of resources provided through our dealer network, such as training, support, funding, marketing collateral and access to equipment from quality manufacturers. Our relationship leaves them free to pursue strategies that benefit their businesses.”