Vehicle thefts are down 88 percent in Massachusetts, largely due to a proliferation of mobile- and building-mounted surveillance cameras, GPS tracking units and other security devices, according to Jeff Jurist, president of Spy Associates in Boca Raton, Fla., which markets these types of systems.
“Our surveillance equipment helps countless people keep their possessions, money and family secure,” he says, adding that outfitting a car or truck with GPS tracking technology can assist law enforcement officials in quickly locating stolen goods.
“We’ve sold thousands of GPS tracking devices and other surveillance equipment to citizens who wanted a way to protect their property,” says Jurist, “and every one of them can sleep safer at night because they know that their things are well protected.”
Jurist recently answered a series of questions posed by Aftermarket Business World about the security segment:
Q: What has been the impact of surveillance technology on car theft rates?
A: Without question, it is a known fact that car theft rates continue to rise due to the sheer nature of the greed and monetary gains to those that are foolish enough to engage in such a trade. In response to that, so has the use of GPS surveillance technology to help track down those thieves.
It is a matter of education, and now the public is starting to learn that there is such a technology that can help you recover your vehicle in case it is stolen. We have a 100 percent success rate of recovery for all our clients using GPS surveillance products sold by us.
Q: To what extent has consumer acceptance of surveillance technology increased over the past few years?
A: No question consumer demand has continued to grow as acceptance and use of surveillance technology widens. The demand is continually fueled by the current news events, by television, by movies and, of course, the need to protect your family and loved ones. Surveillance technology has exploded the use of watching your home from your cell phone. IPhones, iPads, laptops, netbooks… The easy access to Internet is part of what fuels the consumer acceptance.
Q: What are some of the more popular surveillance technologies that motorists have been purchasing over the past few years?
A: The most popular surveillance technology being used by motorists today is GPS tracking technology for theft recovery. The second-most popular item we have is now dash cams to capture incidents of accidents or vandalism.
Q: How would you assess the opportunities for aftermarket businesses wishing to offer add-on surveillance technology to their customers?
A: There is always an opportunity for aftermarket businesses that understand marketing and technology. Learning the technology is easy, you simply must try, and if help is needed reach out.
I would gladly speak with any aftermarket businesses and offer my guidance. Surveillance technology is here to stay. Businesses need to understand that they can easily become a part of it and at the same time strengthen their relationship with customers for future growth.
Q: What are some marketing tips for selling surveillance technology?
A: To succeed in anything, you must love what you do. If you love what you do, you are never really working. That is how you succeed in marketing and selling anything, including surveillance technology. Have a passion for what you do, and offer the very best customer service experience you can each and every day.
Q: Can automotive security systems be readily installed by do-it-yourselfers? Or is professional installation the best way to go?
A: GPS tracking and security systems can be installed by do-it-yourselfers that have prior wiring experience with the vehicle, though I would never recommend first-timers ever attempting to do so without someone on hand who knows what they are doing. I would always recommend using a professional installer so as not to harm any manufacturer original equipment that may affect vehicle warranty.
Q: Where can an installer obtain training for servicing auto surveillance technology customers?
A: There really is no one formal source of education other than the Internet and the understanding of electrical wiring. For any of our resellers of our products, we offer full training and support if required.
Q: Are there newer surveillance technologies being introduced into the marketplace?
A: The industry is always seeking new and advanced surveillance technologies. The marketplace always continues to grow as the demand grows. Some of the newest surveillance technologies entering the scene are drones, but that really doesn’t apply to the automotive industry.
At trade conferences I do see large influx of vehicle cameras and backup systems to warn the driver if there is a person or something behind them before they back up.
Q: How can an aftermarket business owner best assess video surveillance technology applications available for providing security for his or her facility?
A: Basic security consists of 4, 8 or 16 cameras that are either wired to a DVR (digital video recorder) or computer system. A smart business owner should always seek out advice locally face-to-face for such needs. Today with the Internet, doing research has become available to anyone.
Q: How effective is surveillance technology in stemming theft and/or vandalism at repair shop parking areas? Can it adequately protect customer vehicles left outside overnight?
A: Between use of video surveillance technology and GPS tracking equipment for recovery, I can confidently say safety for customer vehicles is no longer the worry it was years ago.
Now cameras use night vision and zoom technology so that you can capture the images of vandals day or night, though it is always up to the repair shop to have his parking areas secured and/or vehicles kept inside secured.
For more information, visit www.spyassociates.com.
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