Way back in 1972, Security Dealer magazine emerged as a special supplement to a publication called Security Industry & Product News (SIPN). Six years later in 1978, it was published as a monthly magazine for the first time. In 2018, we celebrate the 40th year of our magazine – appropriately with a cover depicting one of the most important constants in our industry: Change.
Rapid and often unpredictable change is a simple fact of life that business owners in our industry have become accustomed to – the same holds true for the editors and publishers of a magazine serving the industry. Just as our faithful readers have, our editorial team has weathered (and often continues to weather) the storm of an ever-changing economy, a rapidly evolving technology landscape, and the fast-moving business changes in the security (and publishing) industries.
Ten years ago, our magazine pivoted with the times, formally adding “Integrator” to the traditional burglar and fire alarm “Security Dealer” audience we served for 30 years. Back then, IP was in its infancy and the security industry was poised on the precipice of landscape-altering change. Imagine explaining the likelihood of a customer deploying 4K video surveillance back then; or describing the idea of housing security functions in the cloud!
Back when we added Integrator to our title, it was because our magazine had evolved to move the technology and business issues of commercial integrators to the forefront. Oddly, 10 years later, we are pivoting back to the residential alarm dealer side of the business with the rise of the smart home and the influx of major players in that space. From cybersecurity to DIY, it will be fun to continue to keep you up-to-date on the latest from both sides of the industry in 2018.
Creating the Path to Greater Profits
Beyond the security technology angle, our magazine has embraced and analyzed the rapid change of technology on the business environment. Several years ago we changed our tagline to “The Path to Greater Profits,” which remains the guiding principle of our magazine. From mobile apps to business management software, we have focused as hard as possible on making this magazine an indispensable tool for the business owners and managers who read it. Think about how the very fabric that holds a security business together has changed so dramatically in such a short amount of time… imagine the sideways looks you’d receive if you told someone you still do all of your accounting and scheduling with a pen and paper!
2018’s slate of editorial coverage continues to evolve with your business. Next month, we will publish our first-ever “managed systems” issue, where we will provide the ultimate roadmap to RMR and business success in hosted services. The month after, we will outline how President Trump’s new tax plan will specifically impact your business and the security industry. Of course, our annual Fast50 – which not only highlights the most innovative businesses on both the residential and commercial sides of our industry, but also takes the pulse of the industry with valuable market research – will continue in 2018 (visit www.securityinfowatch.com/sdifast50 to learn more and enter); and our newest columnist, Chris Peterson, has found his niche in SD&I providing sales tips that you can use right now.
What do you want to see?
It is amazing how far we’ve come in just 10 years. Today, it is hard to imagine covering this industry without the “&I” in SD&I – and we wouldn’t have it any other way. The one thing that will never change is our commitment to helping security dealers and integrators navigate this often overwhelming industry. Your input is essential to ensuring we stay relevant, and we welcome all comments and suggestions that will help us in the many great years to come…my inbox is always open!
Paul Rothman is Editor in Chief of Security Dealer & Integrator (SD&I) magazine. Access the current issue, archives and subscription information at www.secdealer.com.
