Security Equipment Companies on a Bull Run

Solar powered fencing and 12 feet high barbed wall. Photo electric infrared detector, External speakers outdoors. Wireless security alarm unit with built in auto-dialer and magnetic sensors attached to doors. Indoors – fingerprint access control systems, remote controller with panic button, and a siren with flasher indoors.

This is not a description of the premises of a high-security prison. This is what households and offices in Hyderabad are increasingly turning into, thanks to growing crime in the city.

“Hyderabad was considered a very safe and secure place once upon a time. But, now with more and more nuclear family systems, with both spouses working, security systems have become a must,” says Vikar Ahmed Shafik, MD of Sharp Detectives and Security Services. Even in the city, the central colonies are relatively better off when compared with the suburbs.

“As far as problems of robbery and crimes are concerned, especially the independent bungalows in the suburbs such as Kukatpally, Medchel, Kompally, and Shadnagar are the worst affected,” says D A Shafi Baig, Hyderabad branch manager of Calcutta-based Globe Detective Agency.

“There is no culture of conducting a pre-employment check on domestic help before hiring them, like it’s prevalent in Delhi or Mumbai,” he adds.

Not surprisingly, multinational companies with more and more security devices and gadgets are making hay while crime shines. With market seeming to be quite promising, good agencies make a turnover of Rs 1 crore each, and there are 25 to 30 such companies in Hyderabad alone.

Most agencies sell devices manufactured by established brands such Tata Honeywell, Alba Control, Data Matrix, Eureka Forbes, thanks to their brand image.

Recently, Eurovigil, a Eureka Forbes company that deals with various systems – intrusion detection, access control, surveillance and fire detection -- for industrial and commercial segments, has now entered into residential security market with “Securi–T-Link,” an advanced intrusion detection system.

The device, priced at Rs 9,500, includes magnetic switches installed on doors that ensure that they are shut, setting off an alarm when intrusion occurs. The autodialer notifies neighbors, relatives, and police.

But, even local companies selling customised products are doing quite well. “The electronic equipment market stands at Rs 5-10 crores annually for us alone. And it’s growing,” says Baig.

The response to a recent exhibition held by the Globe Detection agency only reaffirms the growing awareness and willing to spend on security. “We even got orders for securing a Rs 2 crore bungalow in New MLAs colony with a highly sophisticated intruder detection device that costs around Rs 73,000,” he adds.

It is the increasing demand for such devices that made Shafik of Sharp agency add security equipment to the basket of services they were offering.

“Since 22 years we were into manpower services, but of late we entered into security equipment because of the changing market requirements. We deal with imported equipment since most Indian systems are not reliable and we don’t have post installation problems,” he says.

Of late, his agency gets more order from individuals than companies, though the turnover is less from the former segment.

“All you need is about Rs 10,000 to 12,000 to secure your premises. Earlier people were going in for nothing less than a lakh and half for such devices, but now the prices are falling. People buy a house for a minimum of Rs 6 to 7 lakhs, and don’t mind shelling out Rs 10,000 to secure it,” he adds.

But, more than 50 per cent aren’t aware about security appliances beyond the door eye, door chain and lock. Most people here believe only in the Choukidari system, says Baig.

Compare the average minimum value people carry on them or possess, and the security they install or hire to protect it, he says, adding: “In Andhra, the amount of gold worn by people varies between 10-11 grams to 25 tolas. They live in houses that cost anywhere in lakhs and crores. They also may own vehicles that run into lakhs. But, all they have at most is a guard or two.”

“Hyderabad is nowhere as secure as is generally perceived to be. People tend to go in for guards, but they are not aware of the kind of equipments that can help,” agrees Srikanth, sales manager at Group 4 Securitas.

Corporates are willing to install systems, but going in only for certain kind of systems such as fingerprint access devices because they have become fashionable. They won’t think beyond fire fighting equipment for higher security, he adds.

The companies are therefore now coming up with specific scheme targeted at specific segments. “We are targeting jewelers, textile showrooms, and real estate builders, besides the home segment directly in the suburbs,” Baig says.

---------------- SECURITY HITLIST:

Indoor protection: Device: Approximate Price 1. Wireless security alarm unit with built in auto dialer and battery – Rs 13,000 2. Wireless door magnetic sensors for wooden doors – Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,400 3. Passive infrared detector – Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 4. Remote controller with panic button – Rs 1,200 5. Siren and strobe – Rs 8,500 6. Indoor siren with flasher – Rs 600

Perimeter protection: 1. 2-zone security alarm system – Rs 5,000 2. Photo electric infrared detector – Rs 11,000 3. Power supply unit – Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 4. Remote key pad for controlling – Rs 3,200 to Rs 3,300 5. Outdoor speaker – Rs 700 to Rs 750

Fire Alarm systems (Domestic and industrial): Upto Rs 18,000

Proximity access control systems (Corporate): Rs 64,000 to Rs 65,000

Fingerprint bio-metric systems: Above Rs 1,25,000.