7 Ways a Smartphone App Can Improve Your Security Offering
Mobile security is the future, so how can security pros make the most of the smartphone craze?
Roughly 85% of people 18-34 have a smartphone.
THE world around us is constantly changing and evolving. As mass-market consumers, we no longer live in a society where we can grow in our physical security environment without leveraging the innovative technologies that are readily available for use. One of the leading, most advanced technologies is being used by more than 200 million people in the United States and fits into the palm of our hand: the smartphone.
With the largest user base between the ages of 18-34 (at a rate of 85% or more), the smartphone penetration of Millennials will shape how we go to market now and in the future. The microcomputer that is the smartphone is leveraging the cloud every single day for the majority of its apps and connectivity.
Capitalize on Massive App Abilities
Smartphone users are becoming more and more open to sharing certain types of personal data because they depend on the app environment for so much of their online interactions. Some of the data types that will impact the physical security market are messaging, location services, assistance and convenience apps. Popular messaging apps like Skype and Facebook Messenger deliver real-time communication and many provide video/pictures, audio and location-based information that could play a role in security and life safety.
Within the connected home environment, technologies like Nest, Dropcam and iControl, as well as the standard device connectivity via Bluetooth, ZigBee and Z-Wave, all pave the road for a very different landscape. So, how has this impacted the end-user customer? It has brought the two worlds together and compelled the buyer to think differently, interact differently and purchase with a more innovative mindset than what traditional security offers.
Today’s app world via mobile devices provides the platform to support real-time personal security at our fingertips. As time goes on, this will become even more far reaching to customers, our solutions and the monitoring services we offer.
More: Mobile Security, Internet of Things to Continue to Grow in Popularity
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 credentials transform our security ecosystem. Mobile devices and their attachments will get more and more boundary-free going forward. We anticipate digging deeper into a more complete and extensive solution for the security and convenience of customers. </p>
<p>Here are seven categories and capabilities being provided by these apps in our market: </p>
<p><strong><em>1. Ease of Use and Convenience</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Mobile apps are dominating the user experience and driving out the complexities of the heavy client interfaces.</li>
<li>The cloud is allowing the customer to keep up with changes to feature sets and bugs through app updates.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><em>2. Real-Time Situational Awareness</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Physical security is made up of fixed devices; mobility breaks the chain and opens your eyes to the whole world around you … from the palm of your hand.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><em>3. Incident Escalation and Response</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Sometimes the concept of Big Brother having your back is not so unsettling, unless you’re the other guy.</li>
<li>Not all incidents occur in a fixed location, and mobility allows up-to-date tracking.</li>
<li>Video (cameras) and audio communications that are easily accessible and highly flexible.</li>
</ul>
<p><center></p>
<div class='photowide'><img src='http://www.securitysales.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/Emergency_alert_phone.jpg' alt='' height='558' width='770' /></p>
<div class='inlinecaptionleft'>Smartphones give users push notifications, which can be used to encourage engagement with their security systems.</div>
</div>
<p></p>
<p></center></p>
<p><strong><em>4. Mass and Group Notification</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Rich content and ease of interaction for weather events, suspicious activity and escalation of issues to name a few.</li>
<li>Tie in messaging, images and links for complete awareness on the go for your employees or end users. Manage content based on profiles to ensure effective communication.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><em>5. Geo-Fencing</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>What is important to you, your resources and your assets? Geo-fencing lets you manage your users in a much more effective way with different action plans as well as geo-location sensitive contacts that are available.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><em>6. Task Management and Performance</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Manage your guards, logistics personnel or other staff members through the cloud and track their performance and ensure task completion with audit trail.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><em>7. Compliance Standards and Document Libraries</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Manage a centralized library in the cloud and push as needed or provide access through your app.</li>
<li>Leverage reporting modules to maintain high levels of standards and compliance.</li>
</ul>
<p>All this and more in just a single mobile security app can expand your reach and ability to impact the safety and security of your people, assets and property beyond brick and mortar. </p>
<p>Remember, the security world is transforming and the need to leverage new ways to solve security for your customers and still generate RMR can be a different approach than that of our traditional roots.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Bio</strong>: Rich Mellott is director of product management for <a href='http://www.stanleysecuritysolutions.com/' target='_blank'>Stanley Security</a>.</em></p>
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