How I Use My System: Devon Ritch

Devon Ritch is the director of IT for Doyle Security Systems, based in Rochester, N.Y. He started at the company six years ago as IT manager, his first position in the security space. Ritch said he is a “one-man show. Just about anything that's IT, it's me.” Among other duties, Ritch uses his home as testing grounds for various systems. In early June, Security Systems News caught up with him on the system he has in place now.

What kind of system do you have?

I always try to stay on the forefront of the automation part of it. Currently, I have a 2GIG system. … I'm pretty much fully automated. I have door locks, thermostat, light switches and the plug-in modules all on Z-Wave. It's pretty much wireless.

Why this particular setup?

It was all-in-one. … The ease of install for the 2GIG one suited itself to my situation. Everything's installed and internal to the panel, so really all you need is the power supply. You really don't need to poke a hole in the wall for that. I did, to make it nice and clean looking.

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

I'd say the mobile app. I've really come to almost depend on it and love it. I've got to be honest … [in] the three years that I've had those light modules in, I don't think I've ever touched those lights—physically. You have your phone on you all the time, it's so easy just to dim them. When you go to bed at night, [you can] set the alarm, and shut off all the lights in the house.

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

Definitely POTS lines going away; I see the transition more to Internet-based and cell communication. … On the central station receiver side, [it's] pushing more toward the cloud and more toward virtualization. I think there will always be a need for the central station to be local … but I think the disaster recovery part of it will head to the cloud.