SECURITY – A GROWING CONCERN
Are you missing out on £2 billion of business? Neil Baldwin, sales director of ESP, examines the opportunities for electrical installers in the booming electrical security sector.
Whether you already have a foot in the door of the security sector or are considering entering, opportunities abound for the security-minded contractor. Economic uncertainty intensifies the need to identify and pursue business opportunities in growing markets and the security systems market is one of them. World security is also an issue. We have never been on a higher state of alert in the UK and because of that people are more conscious of having security. The police are encouraging us to use CCTV to protect homes and businesses and as a manufacturer we are constantly developing our products to make them as user-friendly and reliable as possible.
With businesses and homeowners seeing the value of investing in security to protect their premises and properties, and seeking the appropriate measures to do so, the UK security market continues to grow.
According to a report published by AMA Research, the total UK electronic security market, comprising electronic access control, intruder alarms, CCTV and associated services, is estimated to have been worth approximately £2bn in 2015, at installed prices.
In 2015, CCTV sales were estimated to account for a 50% share by value, followed by intruder alarms with 30% and access control with 20%. Technological developments and cloud-based solutions have continued to drive the market.
The market for intruder alarms is mature and competition remains high with other security products, such as CCTV and access control – particularly systems which can be monitored remotely. Intruder alarms as standalone products in the commercial sector are in decline.
The access control market has remained stable during recent years. There has been a gradual shift to wireless and networked systems, which are forecast to continue to drive replacement sales.
Opportunities for electrical contractors within the security products sector are primarily in the domestic market and small commercial premises, where the requirements for specialist knowledge and ongoing service contracts are less important.
The majority of electronic security installations in the domestic sector are intruder alarms, along with access control systems, which are predominantly installed in apartments. Home automation is a growing application area and is currently experiencing double digit growth. This market provides significant opportunities for electrical contractors to offer an integrated package, e.g. security products, lighting, climate control, home entertainment, that can be centrally controlled.
Sources covering the sector such as IFSEC, Keynote and BASEC are forecasting double-digit growth for the product ranges that ESP covers.
Yet, as it stands, security remains a sector that is largely untapped by the electrical contracting market. Security is still considered to be a specialist area and as such comes under the remit of the professional security installer.
There is no reason for the electrical contractor to shy away from these products and this sector. We are putting a lot of time and investment behind getting the message out there. The electricians already have the necessary skills and, with the right products and some training, they can take advantage of the potential this sector offers.
Key facts and considerations
It is estimated that the UK has 4.9m CCTV cameras. Following the 2011 London riots, Scotland Yard published that 2,200 prosecutions were made due to the use of CCTV footage. Installation of CCTV in schools reduces vandalism by 90%In 2015 Met Police Commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe said: “CCTV cameras should be installed by homeowners and businesses to help detectives solve crimes in the age of austerity.” Detective Chief Superintendent Mick Neville spoke about CCTV at IFSEC 2015 and commented that the biggest challenge facing police when it comes to CCTV is downloading images, especially as 80% of CCTV owners can’t use their own systems. His top tip for businesses wanting to improve the way they use surveillance is - know how to connect the CCTV to the internet so the police can remotely view it.
While there has been a proliferation of surveillance cameras in the UK, there has also been an issue of poor image quality. It is estimated that 50% of cameras in privately-owned CCTV systems generate poor images – they’ve never been updated and for the police this presents a huge problem as they cannot use the images for evidence to help make convictions
In the Frame
ESP has developed a solution to the challenge of poor image quality with its new HD View CCTV range, which introduces the very latest AHD (Analogue High Definition) technology, to offer installers a professional, highly affordable CCTV range that delivers superior image quality. It is easy to install, and simple to set up; for wholesalers it is an essential tool that will help in the replacement and new build sectors.
With AHD, high definition digital video can be transmitted easily over existing coaxial cabling - the same cabling used for existing standard resolution analogue systems. Remote view comes via a cloud-based system and comprises a few easy steps for installation.
Access control is another area of the security sector where developments continue to be made. ESP has relaunched its access control range with a simplified collection of products under the brand name, Aperta (Italian for Open). With two main components – door station, with optional access control keypad and the hands-free monitor – the Aperta range utilises two-wire technology, and is supplied with a single power supply. The new 2 wire technology provides easy installation, with the requirement for only two connections to be made at any one point within the system.
Technical Support – a Distinct Advantage
For those electrical contractors who would like to add fire and security equipment to their product portfolio but who feel that they do not have the core knowledge and confidence to do this, any opportunities for training and education are vital. ESP currently offers a number of free in-house training programmes which are aimed at contractors and wholesalers and designed to cover product awareness - with a general overview of the different products available; CCTV, access control and external area protection – as well as a more in-depth course covering addressable fire training, where demonstration equipment is provided to allow the attendees to learn the skills of building and commissioning a fire system.
Where manufacturers are investing in the provision of training and support programmes, they are helping educate contractors and giving them the product knowledge, skills and confidence to take on security installation projects and ultimately increasing their share of this growing sector.
Medium-term growth prospects for the overall electronic security market are positive. The commercial end use sector is set to perform well and investment in the transport sector should also stimulate growth. The growing integration with IT systems in order to facilitate easier monitoring and control through IP addresses and mobile devices is likely to continue.
Article can be viewed here: http://professional-electrician.com/features/esp-security-growing-concern/