Is it a good idea to start a Security Camera Installation Company

This is one of the more unique questions that I have received on the site. I wanted to share the question with you and my answer. Enjoy and comment if you like.

Dear Security Camera Expert,

For the last 6 months i have researched opening a cctv and card access install business based on local market need. Most of my friends and co-workers support the idea and have experience in the low voltage industry. Also, i currently work as a contracts specialist in the procurement field and see the need for this business. Is this a good idea?

Todd

My Answer to Todd

Hi Todd,

Is this a good idea? That is a very difficult question. I can tell you what I think of the industry and where I think things are going. It being a good idea is something you need to explore as a part of what you want to do in pursuing your interests and your passions.

I think that is a bigger question to answer. Is having a safety and security business something you have a very strong desire to do? Do you see yourself doing this for a very long time and loving doing it?

So if the answer is yes to that then here are my thoughts.

This is a very competitive industry as are many. There are many great systems out there that you can sell and install and you have to choose the few best you will work with. Everything is converging on IP networks. Security, phones, IT. How do you fit in to all of that?

How can you position yourself differently from every other security installer out there? What "value" do you bring that is better, faster, cheaper (whatever your mantra is) than what they have to offer? What is that USP, the Unique Selling Proposition, or Value Proposition. How can you make your customers life easier? Safer? Etc.

What are the major problems facing businesses right now? Is security the top issue? Maybe not. Increasing revenue and growth and helping their cash flow are definitely big issues. Is there a way to take the technology and help to reduce costs, or even grow revenue?

Example: Customer has beautiful gardens on their location and they occasionally have weddings. What if you could stream live video and audio to the website and the customer can charge a fee to allow family members that could not attend to watch the wedding and interact with the guests?

Example: Customer has multiple locations and they have security people at each location even when there is no one else around. Why not pull the video to a central location so one of the other security people can monitor the site and therefore eliminate the need for security at a location when no one is there.

I would look at how you can do all of the security in a very easy to use integrated way. So that you can pull in the intrusion, video and access control together as much as possible.

You have to focus on the problems with real solid solutions and be at least 10 percent better than the competition.

You will also want to look at how you can get ongoing revenue by doing live monitoring. You can set that up yourself or outsource that. As well as combining equipment and service in a "lease" agreement and lock in your customers for 2 or 3 years at a time.

So is it a good idea? Security is and will be a growing market. There are many security installers out there that are not focused on how technology is changing and how to find new ways to use the technology to solve customers problems. If you can do that effectively then yes I think it is a great idea. There is competition, but there is always room for someone that can do it better and out hustle the competition.

I also recommend you get your website right as the foundation of all your other marketing efforts. If you need help with that let me know and I can point you in the right direction.

I hope this helps. If you have further questions please let me know.

Sincerely,

Peter Brissette

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