Security professionals reveal their thoughts on the security, monitoring and smart home markets.

Here’s the good news: Not a single person interviewed for this article said business was flat or declined in 2016, or expected it to decline in 2017. In fact, many reported double-digit growth and a continued strong business outlook, both residentially and commercially.

The economy is up and so are sales and expectations. But it’s an election year; there is more competition than ever in the residential space; and dealers are working hard to embrace the changes in the marketplace.

Both the residential and commercial markets saw growth this year, due in large part to economic recovery, huge growth in interactive services/integration and increasing user awareness on the home side.

When Google purchased Nest Labs Inc. for $3.2 billion late last year, some security dealers groaned while others, such as John Loud, president, LOUD Security, Atlanta, positively accepted the news.

Every new year always starts off with speculation. The interpretation of several noticeable changes impacting the alarm industry in 2012 depends on whether one subscribes to the philosophy of “glass half empty” or “glass half full.” What do you think as you read through the following list?