Wi-Fi Presents Vulnerability, Opportunity
Wi-Fi presents vulnerability, opportunity – The pervasive integration of Wi-Fi networks into electronic security solutions is presenting installers and integrators with opportunity, as well as introducing new vulnerabilities.
According to Parks Associates’ research, conducted in partnership with Johnson Controls, 51 per cent of smart home users questioned for the research reported losses of Wi-Fi connectivity that impacted on their systems.
The whitepaper ‘Control the Network, Control the Costs: Solving the Wi-Fi Problem in Home Security’ focuses the on rise in demand for Wi-Fi devices integrated with security and smart home solutions, the impact of poor Wi-Fi network performance on professional security installers and highlights the opportunity for installers to own and manage Wi-Fi networks remotely, reducing their costs and improving system reliability.
“Loss of wireless connectivity is the top problem affecting owners of smart home devices, and this has been consistent for the past 4 years,” says Jennifer Kent, VP, research, Parks Associates.
“Interest in network services doubled from 2020 to 2021, and it strongly correlates with the total number of smart home devices owned — the greater the number of devices owned, the higher the interest in these services. Dealers are in a strong position to help support, and consumers show a strong willingness to pay for a bundle of advanced network monitoring services.”
Security installers questioned for the report said smart home devices can bring additional recurring monthly revenue (RMR) and increase customer stickiness. Halving attrition and simplifying the user experience would help retain customers and revenue.
“Cameras, video doorbells, smart garage openers, touchscreen tablets, and more all depend on the end-user’s Wi-Fi network, and the increased volume often creates network challenges for dealers and consumers alike,” says Jeremy McLerran, senior director of marketing – security products, Johnson Controls.
“Our IQ WiFi 6 solution is purpose-built for the professional installer and improves the installation process, boosts network performance, and provides remote connectivity for support without visiting a site.”
IQ WiFi 6 has 4 network partitions, including a guest network and a network dedicated to the end-user’s Wi-Fi devices, which switch between 2.4 and 5GHz to optimize range, speed, and performance. It also includes 2 private partitions dedicated to service providers of professionally managing security and smart home devices, helping to avoid end users accidentally disrupting the connectivity of security and automation.
Additional tools, like remote WPS, allow techs to streamline installation by connecting devices to the nearest node and allowing them to select the appropriate network for optimal performance. Built-in remote management features from Alarm.com allow users and service providers to remotely view and configure the network while remotely resolving issues should they occur.
IQ WiFi 6 leverages Qualcomm Networking Pro 400, a highly flexible Wi-Fi 6 platform designed to meet the growing demands of increasingly crowded and dense Wi-Fi environments. IQ WiFi 6 and other Johnson Controls solutions are distributed locally by BGW Technologies.
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