SSI HOME AUTOMATION SECURITY DEALERS FACE STAFFING, ECONOMIC CHALLENGES HEADING INTO 2024 Annual security dealer perspectives report from SSI and Parks Associates shows talent shortage leads the way among obstacles facing residential security integrators. By Jennifer Kent IN 2023, DEALERS have faced a rocky road. High interest rates and lower home sales have meant fewer consumers are moving, making this a critical time for acquiring a new security system or getting monitoring services. Inflation continues to temper consumer spending, while DIY products compete with security systems for consumers' dollars. Dealers are branching out into new areas to bolster revenues and to find applications that require or value professional installation and monitoring. This includes home-network monitoring, vehicle monitoring and new partnerships with insurance companies. In this 11th annual survey, conducted jointly by SSI and Parks Associates, we investigate how dealers see the market today, while also analyzing the strategies that show opportunity for growth. Customers' desire for smart-home devices with their security systems has ranked as a top business driver for three years running. 72 Commercial Integrator+Security Sales & Integration | Nov/Dec 2023 TANIT/STOCK.ADOBE.COM