Non-compete complete: TycoIS woos small business

BOCA RATON, Fla.—When TycoIS's non-compete agreement with ADT expires next week, the integrator is poised to expand its small business footprint with the launch of a new HD IP camera line that's bundled with a security assessment, a mobile app and flexible financing options.

“The price point, quality and remote access are key [components] of the offering,” Mark Bomber, TycoIS director of commercial marketing, told Security Systems News.

TycoIS and ADT split into two separately traded companies as part of a spin off first announced in September of 2011. As part of that deal, ADT and TycoIS had a non-compete agreement whereby ADT could only do business with commercial entities smaller than 7,500 square feet, and TycoIS could only do business with commercial entities larger than 7,500 square feet.

That line of demarcation will disappear when the non-compete expires on Sept. 29.
The “Holis” camera line is OEM'd by Tyco Security Products for TycoIS. It's a 1080p resolution camera available in a four- or eight-channel option. It comes with a mobile app, so small business owners can “look at live, recorded video,” Bomber said.

A security assessment, maintenance and service are bundled into the package and TycoIS, offering “a flexible pricing option. A business owner can put down $49 or $99 and pay a higher monthly fee. � And they can add more cameras on later,” Bomber said.

Bomber said that in the future TycoIs plans to add more features, such as video verification, to the Holis line.

Bomber noted that TycoIS has been working with small businesses that fall in the 8,000 square foot range for some time, so small business “is not new for us,” he said.

While the Holis line can be used for mid-sized businesses, Bomber believes it will appeal to small businesses that could not previously afford IP cameras. “Traditionally IP cameras have been more costly than analog. If you wanted HD or network features, you had to pay a premium,” Bomber said. The alternative, was “going to Best Buy and ending up with a self-install,” which generally didn't go well, he said.

Small restaurants, convenience stores, medical clinics and law offices are ideal applications for Holis, Bomber said. “The four- to eight-camera [option] gives a lot of flexibility,” he said.

TycoIS will have “dedicated small business reps that are specifically trained on this [product line]” ready to go on Sept. 29. At next week's ASIS show, Tyco executives will be expanding on their plans to do more work with small businesses during a Sept. 30 event.

Security Systems News continues to report on this story.