How I Use My System: Gene Miller

Gene Miller, sales representative with Cen-Signal, has been with the company for 19 years, originally starting as an operator with the wholesale monitoring center. The company is based in Columbus, Ga. Miller talked with Security Systems News in mid-December about the security system he uses at home.

What kind of system do you have?

I have a Honeywell Linx Touch 5100. It's an old system but it's a [good one]. It runs off a Wi-Fi card and I also have the Z-Wave smart card in there, and definitely have all of the smart home stuff I can get my hands. I've got the thermostats, the lights.

Why this particular setup?

Back in the day, when I put it in, it was kind of revolutionary and Honeywell's always been a big part of our company. … I have a teenager at home and I definitely like the notifications that I get when it arms and disarms. Also, the ease of use was going to be the deciding factor on what I went with.

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

The Total Connect app, the brand new app that they just came out with that has voice control. In addition, I travel a … lot and it's peace of mind for me to know that I can see if the system's armed; I can see when my child gets home in the afternoon from school, I can see that she arms it behind her.

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

Where I see security going is more of a sideline to home automation and smart home technology. I think it's always going to be present, I think the monitoring is always going to be there, but I think it's going to take a backseat to things like hubs, … where you have one central home feature.