How I Use My System: Bob Gates

Bob Gates joined Alarm Monitoring Services in September of 2014 as the company's VP of sales and marketing, responsible for seeking new accounts and new types of business. Gates holds a B.S. in communication science from Indiana State University and has spent more than 30 years in the security industry. Security Systems News recently talked with Gates about the system he uses at home.

What kind of security system do you have?

Its a Honeywell Vista20. I've had, over the years, different variations, basically most of them have been Honeywell panels. With this system I chose to hardwire it.

Why this particular setup?         

I spent  about 25 of my 30 years with ADI … then Honeywell bought them. My experience with that brand of equipment is the most extensive. You go with what you know, or what you're most comfortable with. Some of my family is familiar with it, too.

What is one aspect of your security system you wouldn't want to live without?

I'm a little more basic. The main thing to me is going to bed at night and seeing that red light on the keypad; when there's a bump in the night, I know it's a bump in the night—instead of someone breaking in. I like the chime feature. I like to know if somebody opens the door.

Where do you see security going next? What are some big trends?

In the next year or so, it's going to be more and more connectivity, I believe, through Internet access. Obviously the POTS lines are going, or gone in many cases. The radio's good but I see the Internet connectivity giving it … access, information immediately from [a person's] phone.