Tuesday 8 April 2008, One in four (22%) of households in the UK have been burgled - an estimated 4.85 million homes - according to a new survey by Intamac, specialists in security monitoring solutions. 25% of all burglaries actually occur when residents are at home, 28% when residents are at work, and 12% when residents are on holiday. Yet despite these figures, the research revealed that 85% of those burgled did not have a security system installed at the time of the break in.
Reasons for lack of security systems in the home ranged from expense, to lack of time to set up and a perception that systems are difficult to install. However, following a burglary there was a huge shift in the importance of home security and consequently, 90% of those in the survey that had experienced a burglary made changes to their home or lifestyle, including adding locks, lights and staying home more after dark.
Kevin Meagher, CEO and founder, Intamac, said: "The survey bears out what we find amongst our customers: people want to protect their home and family, but they perceive traditional security systems to be expensive and inflexible. Frequently, people that have been burgled feel they need to install additional form of security like extra locks, cameras or lights. However, as these systems alone cannot provide comprehensive security, people continue to feel unsafe. It was no surprise that the survey showed a full 28% of people moved home in response to being burgled."
Intamac's technology delivers significant benefits to existing security products by networking them via the internet. Its Home Manager service provides a user friendly web based account that allows users to monitor, update, manage and control devices such as alarm systems, IP Cameras and environmental sensors.
Many existing alarm panels are 'bells only' siren systems. However, the Intamac platform provides fully automated messaging in response to alarm and alert conditions, sending voice or text messages and e-mail notifications to users and a list of their nominated contacts. This means that users can take the appropriate course of action in a timely manner.
"The need for affordable, flexible and comprehensive security solutions for the home represents a huge opportunity for the security market in the UK; an opportunity that is already being realised by our blue chip partners. Intamac provides - and helps our partners such as BT and Cisco Linksys to provide - real protection, not just against burglary but also fire, flood, or power failure. The options are endless," concluded Meagher.
Intamac's turnkey solution allows corporate partners to easily and quickly come to market with innovative service offerings for their customers. Intamac provides a complete product and service offering to its partners that they can then, in turn, offer to their customers. The company provides full product, service, back-office support systems and infrastructure - plus an online billing service - which B2B partners can simply pick up and re-brand.
*Burglary Survey, conducted by ICM, February 2008.
