Re: another newbie, what to do with this Brinks alarm system?

[J. <jsloud2001<removeme>@netscape.net>]

On Thu, 9 Nov 2006 12:13:48 -0500, "Bob Worthy"
<securinc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
> J made it sound like it wasn't until ADT started using these
>panels that the rest of the industry followed suit.

I actually just said "same equipment." I really don't know who was
using the Vista panels when ADT switched from Moose in the mid-90's.
I don't know much about the dealer program equipment choices.  Most of
the ones I've dealt with installed low end Ademco, but I know there
are other options.  ADT itself has agreements with Ademco to make all
the regualr resi panels and the Focus 200/ Cadet.  The small biz panel
is DSC.  The Napco Freedom panel was originally developed for ADT as a
low end easy to operate system.  The first generation wasn't well
received, but I hear they've improved it some.  About a year after ADT
started selling it as the Safewatch EZ, Napco released it through
distribution as the Freedom.  It's an interesting concept with at
least some potential to help eliminate false alarms.

>
>Do you think ADT, because of their mere size, may be a beta test site for
>product from these manufacturers? I am sure it would be smart, once all the
>approvals have been received, to use an ADT, give them a great price, to get
>it out in the market prior to putting it on the shelves.

I'm not sure about the residental side, but on my side of the
business, ADT has an R&D group that seeks out new technology and works
with manufacturers to develop it.  There are several projects we're
involved in right now with the US government to develop homeland
security technology.  One that has been made public is called
Operation Safe Commerce.  Yuo should be able to google that one.

>And...Iam sure, at
>times, ADT has gone back to these manufactures with specific requirements
>they want in a panel for instance.

That's how the Focus 200 versions have been done through Ademco.

> But I don't think, because there are so
>many choices out there, that companies are deciding on equipment just
>because it is what ADT is using. If I misunderstood J's post, I apologize,
>but it is hard to interpet things through his defense of ADT sometimes. He
>is definately a homer. I would bet his performance reviews are right up
>there.

I'm really not that much of a homer.  You guys are tough.  I
understand that most people here only see the ADT resi/ dealer side of
the company.  ADT had real issues with the Tyco-fueled acquisition
rampage in the late 90's through 2003.  With Slink alone, we added 1
million accounts.  That was tough to manage.  The dealer program also
spun out of control during this time as well, probably because the
people responsible for oversight were focused on the acquisitions.  I
hear the dealer thing has drastically improved and ADT stopped buying
companies and now is focused on organic growth and lowering attrition.

By the way, Tyco is keeping the "Tyco International" name for the new
company that will consist of Fire and Security, the engineering group,
and the safety products group.  Essentially, they're spinning off
heathcare and electronics into separate companies.  ADT currently
accounts for about 10% of Tyco's revenue.  With the new company, ADT
will be about 30% giving ADT a much bigger role in determining the
stock's performance.  ADT is Tyco's biggest producer of cash and
essentially operates without debt, so it's viewed by management as an
asset and is supposed to be the cornerstone of the new Tyco.