How I Use My System: Joe Ebright

Joe Ebright joined Shiver Security Systems, a full service company based in Cincinnati, two years ago. The company maintains its own central station and last year moved into a new building. As the company's territory sales manager, Ebright sells and manages accounts—for Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. In mid-April, just after ISC West, Security Systems News spoke to Ebright about the system he has at home.

What kind of system do you have?

The system I have at home is a Honeywell Lynx 5200, with a GSM Radio. I also utilize the Total Connect 2.0 app for remote application with my iPhone and iPad. … As far as the type of devices I have in my house, I make sure my five exterior doors are protected. I have a few glass breaks, smoke and CO detectors, as well as some home automation, such as the door lock, thermostat and two Total Connect indoor cameras.

Why this particular setup?

A couple reasons—first off, obviously I want to make sure that my home and my family are protected, and that is the most important thing to me. But, since I am in sales and visit a numerous number of customers on a daily basis, [the Total Connect app] has become a great tool to demo to the customers.

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

One hundred percent: the Total Connect 2.0 app. I can't tell you the last time I used the actual keypad, because with that Total Connect app … I'm able to control every aspect of my security system through my phone.

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

The home automation piece of it: People love the fact that they can get a door lock, a thermostat. You can actually control lighting, your garage door, water pumps, blinds—pretty much anything inside your house that a customer would want to control. … I really see home automation picking up and taking off very soon, as well as camera systems for the home. A lot of people are very curious about what's going on outside the house when they're away, or at night.