Dennis Sage Home Entertainment, Phoenix, is a best-in-breed audiovisual contracting services firm that gradually began expanding its offerings to security several years ago. After testing the waters, hiring experienced technicians and learning about the parallels with its current business, the company made a successful transition.
Now, Dennis Sage, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), is also counting on heightened customer engagement and stickier clients as he moves into the role of total solutions provider through interactive, smart home services.
Founded in 1995, Dennis Sage Home Entertainment first focused on providing the best service for the design, sale and installation of high-quality audio, video and home entertainment systems. Since then, they've racked up a long list of prestigious awards, accolades and recognition from local, national and regional trade and business resources.
Security And Smart Home Services
The company specializes in working with builders, establishing long-term relationships with local contractors. Those builders especially have propelled successes with its Alarm.com offering, which is extremely attractive to potential homebuyers.
"It's all about engaging customers today," said Dennis Sage, president and CEO. "Alarm.com is constantly pushing the envelope. The user interface is on point and keeps improving. As an authorized Security and Smart Home service provider, we have access to tools and resources that allow us to go directly to the client and show them the growing suite of available interactive services."
Products like Skybell, Amazon Echo and the Apple Watch are coming up more and more in conversations between service providers and their customers
Popularity For Smart Functionality Rises
"The high level of engagement is huge for us," said Marty Hayse, Director of Sales and Purchasing. "Once the client has interactivity with tablets and smart devices, they want more. The platform provides an additional facet to safety and comfort consumers haven't previously been able to attain."
Other industry trends are swaying the proliferation of interactive solutions. Popular consumer products are making their way into security and professionally monitored smart home systems. These products provide customers an easy way to engage with their systems daily, a key factor to help service providers lower attrition.
Now, products like Skybell, Amazon Echo and the Apple Watch are coming up more and more in conversations between service providers and their customers, said Jay Kenny, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Alarm.com, Tysons, Virginia.
"When you engage customers with experiences, it ultimately creates a long-term relationship," Kenny said. "The platform is designed to provide a variety of options to upsell in the future with additional services and components."
Alarm.com's technology and cloud services include interactive security, energy management, video monitoring, intelligent automation and wellness, with smart devices easily controlled through a single app.
Connected Devices Boost Value
Kenny said more connected devices equals heightened value to the end user. "It's those ‘ah-hah' moments the consumer experiences that make services exciting. For example, if they forget to close the door they get an alert and close it from their Apple Watch. Or, they can add voice commands with Amazon Echo to turn lights on and off. It's this experience that makes the product exciting. All this creates engagement and boosts the lifetime value and longevity of the account."
The solution set for security and audiovisual systems installations is broadening. Dealers who create long-term relationships through interactive services are on target for ongoing success.
"Single-handedly, Alarm.com, with their advancements in products and new technologies, has changed the landscape of how we do business," commented Dennis Sage. "They want us to be the best we can be."