Connectivity, Convenience and Construction - 3 C's of Intrusion

After a sharp decline in 2009, and a tough 2010, the intrusion industry is beginning to emerge from the shadows with a new look and new direction. Forecast to reach over $2.4 billion in 2011, the global intrusion industry is poised to recover steadily as the industry capitalizes on new growth opportunities.

In the short-term, growth in the intrusion industry will be centered on the retrofit market. Unlike other security products that are heavily dependent on new construction, the intrusion industry with its lower penetration rate witnessed a less dramatic decline during the downturn. As a result of a stronger retrofit market, the Americas experienced a smaller decline compared to EMEA with retrofit business having a lesser impact in Asia which benefits from stronger economic and construction growth from countries such as China and India.

Report author and market analyst Blake Kozak comments, "The intrusion industry has emerged from the recession with a slightly different outlook. Some of these changes include the move toward more interactive systems. This includes having remote monitoring (e.g. bidirectional capabilities), SMS text messaging, video verification and HVAC connectivity. The most notable technological advances are in panels and wireless sensor technology. Several suppliers have been releasing and working on wireless sensors that are Grade 3 and work in systems in larger buildings more seamlessly, without the need for multiple repeaters. For panels, remote monitoring and IP or GPRS communications are becoming essential, with the idea that many panels will have these transmission methods embedded in the coming years".

Kozak continues, "The intrusion industry continues to innovate and expand upon existing concepts such as PIRs with video verification and self-monitoring using smart phones, all of which helps cultivate convenience and future proof both suppliers and customers. Although new construction will benefit the intrusion industry by growing the market size, many of the new construction projects use only basic intrusion systems. The retrofit market offers more lucrative and technologically advanced systems".