How I Use My System: Danny Holmgren

Danny Holmgren, president of Phoenix-based Titan Alarm, has been in the industry for 11 years. Holmgren was with Titan when the company opened in 2008. He started by focusing on the company's commercial sales, and last year was promoted to his role as president. Security Systems News got the chance to talk with Holmgren about the alarm system he uses at home.

What kind of system do you have?

I have a Honeywell Vista20. I've got it connected to an Alarm.com system enhancement module, so in addition to all my normal security devices, I've got it fully integrated for automation. So, I have my lights automated, my door locks are automated, my thermostats are automated, my garage door is automated. … I have a smart doorbell, I've got cameras on the system—I've got all the bells and whistles on there.

Why this particular setup?

When I bought my house a couple of years ago, it had a Vista system in it. … When I moved into the house, I swapped out the system and put in a 2GIG. When Alarm.com released their system enhancement module last year I wanted to test it out to see if it would be a good fit for our customers and … be compatible with the Honeywell products. So, I converted my 2GIG system back into a Vista system.

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

Being able to control it from my phone. I guess I'm like a lot of people in my generation … [in] that my phone goes everywhere with me, and it's my communication to business, to family, to social media. It's my connection to the world, so having that app on my phone that allows me to control all of [my connected devices] but as well as having a system that can send me notifications in real time and alert me of what's going on—that would be the one thing that I wouldn't [want to] live without.

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

All of these automation devices, the Internet of Things, being able to control a device from a piece of software—I think that'll just continue to evolve, and we'll just be able to have more control, faster control, smarter things.