SentryNet offering classes on taking on large nationals

RICHLAND, Miss.—SentryNet, a third-party monitoring station with locations in Tennessee and Florida, started a series of classes in December designed to teach its dealers how to compete with the likes of ADT, Vivint and other national companies.

“You've got to be visible, your customer has to know you and appreciate that you have a service,” David Avritt, SentryNet president, told Security Systems News. A lot of companies think they're doing a good job with customer service because they don't hear complaints, he said, which is only part of the issue.

While Avritt wants to help enable SentryNet's dealers to go “toe-to-toe” with companies like ADT by teaching its dealers the same tactics that make national companies successful. “We analyze what a couple of these large mass marketing companies [are doing]… and that's what we're teaching our guys.”

Avritt pointed to new technologies as a key matter, “If it's not happening on your iPhone, it's not happening. If it's not happening through an app, it's not happening.”

He wants to tell dealers one thing in particular: “You have every tool that these national companies have … but you've got start assembling these things and offering it to your customers.”

In this class Avritt and Kurt Erdman of SentryNet, Patrick Bleser of Kwikset, and Robert Walker of Honeywell will discuss smart home and Z-Wave technology.

The first informational session of this series was held in Memphis, Tenn., at the SentryNet office in December. There were very positive reactions from attendees, according to Avritt.

The next session will be held at the ADI Branch in Richland, Miss., on Jan. 15. Topics include: Increasing Recurring Monthly Revenue, Increasing Customer Retention and Providing Total Security Solutions.

After this session, another will be held in Gulf Port, Miss., on Feb. 9, said Avritt, followed by four more classes to come that do not yet have announced dates or locations.