Wireless specialist TruTeq Devices – which boasts clients such as Eskom and Telkom – has added a number of hardware and software features to its next-generation home alarm system in a move to “South Africanise” it – and make it more appealing to lower income groups and previously disadvantaged individuals (PDIs).
Derick Roberts, CEO of TruTeq Devices, says there is a “massive market out there” for affordable security solutions.
“The vast majority of South Africa’s more than 40-million people cannot afford home security solutions. This is one of the reasons we have launched our wireless security solution. It is predominately aimed at those who just cannot afford to pay for, and install, a security system.”
Four new software features were added:
* Mains fail (in order to combat load shedding);
* 24 hour self-test;
* Motion and movement Zone Alert; and
* The ability to arm and disarm with a missed call.
When it comes to hardware add-ons, users can now order a load “sound bomb” on request; add a 9 volt re-chargeable battery; and an output/link to the user’s local alarm company (enabling a connection to their radio transmitter).
Roberts also says TruTeq Devices will give the PDI market a free control room monitoring system, so that they can “set up their own security system”.
He says there is a “strong demand” for the company’s home alert security system, especially if one notes that house break-ins continue to increase, rising by 64.4% over the past eight years.
According to an analyses conducted by the SAPS (and published in its annual report) 75% of home robberies occur at night. The most vulnerable times are in the late evening, between 9pm-12pm and very early morning (up to 3am). A total of 55% of robberies occur in these timeframes.
But, more worrying, is that in 99% of these cases firearms were used, pointing to the high level of danger. Murders occur in 2% of house robberies and a total of 4% sees rapes occur.