A Global Chip Shortage Continues to Disrupt the Security Industry

In addition to chip shortages, a backlog of shipping containers are further complicating the operational flow of the security industry through 2022.

As many of you have probably experienced or heard about, there is currently a backlog of container ships in most US Ports; this backlog is causing a delay in the regular supply chain that leads security products to customers.

So you may ask yourself, how exactly has this happened? Well, there are a few reasons why supply chains have been stressed across a plethora of industries, thus resulting in product availability delays. Over the past two decades over 90% of the world’s global trade has been shipped by sea and with 70% via shipping containers. Simply stated, shipping products by sea has been the most cost effect means for sending goods abroad.

The United States has continued to increase the outsourcing of the production of goods to foreign countries, mostly for economic reasons which has resulted in a supreme reliance on importing goods, instead of producing them at home, in today’s global commerce. As well, US companies have also increasingly relied on JIT “just-in-time” inventory systems to order their goods at the last moment, rather than stocking the items on their shelfs, which has resulted in lower inventory levels.

Together with, during the past two decades the shipping business has not been too profitable, meaning little investment has been put into building new ships. To make matter worse here in the US, our railroad companies have also been cutting costs and reducing their headcounts which has created the perfect storm for the shipping logistics crisis that we find ourselves in today.

The global semiconductor shortage is reducing the availability of security related parts.


Many industries including the security industry are also experiencing a global semiconductor chip shortage too. The sudden lockdown from the coronavirus created a ripple effect, where suppliers were unable to meet the growing demands for the silicon microchips that power today’s security system electronics. The remote work from home environment along with cloud infrastructure amplified and prioritized the sales of gaming gadgets, phones and several other electronic devices. And, the remaining stock of chips left available was insufficient to catch up to the pent-up demand in a slew of industries, including the security industry.


The good news is that we anticipate both crises to come to an end soon. Shipping routes now have alternative locations, like Florida, which are offering to carry more of the load, and semiconductor manufacturer’s, like Qualcomm, have stated that they expect the chip manufacturing shortage to begin resolving itself by the third quarter of 2022. So, if you are one of the many who are experiencing delays in receiving your parts order, you are not alone. Here at GeoArm, we are monitoring the two shipping crises described in this article on a day-to-day basis and keeping track of the out-of-stock items. So that when these parts do become available again for distribution, our customers will be first in line to receive them.

GeoArm and M2M Team Up for Low-Cost Alarm Monitoring for Customers

GeoArm and M2M partner for discount PRO and DIY alarm monitoring services.

GeoArm, a leading provider of no-term contract security, automation and smart home solutions serving residential and business customers in the United States, today announced the addition of M2M products and services to its website offerings.

Together, GeoArm and M2M are paving the path to switch away from the traditional overpriced alarm company. With universal compatibility, the do-it-yourselfer can easily add the M2M alarm communicator into most commercial fire alarm and burglary intrusion panels already installed in existing homes and businesses. Whether a consumer has a DSC PowerSeries, Honeywell Home VISTA-Series, GE Interlogix NetworX NX-Series or other takeover control panel that supports Contact ID, SIA and Pulse 4+2, the M2M line of alarm communicators are a great choice for low-cost nationwide alarm monitoring.

“We are thrilled to add M2M solutions into our brand’s portfolio of products and services that our customers have to choose from in advance of the cellular radio sunset dates set to take place in the first quarter of 2022,” said Joe Rosenthal, President and CEO of GeoArm. With the impending sunset of cellular 3G/4G AT&T network beginning first in the month of February 2022, and the cellular 3G/4G Verizon network slated to shutdown later next year in Dec. 31, 2022, it was important for users to find a low-priced, future proof, cellular 5G LTE module that offered maximum network longevity.

The M2M product line of alarm communicators can be installed in a matter of minutes by simply landing just two-wires on the circuit board and anyone can do it. “Because these alarm communicators are low-voltage and run off the control panel’s battery, there is absolutely no need to hire an expensive professional to get them hooked up,” said Rafael Alvarez, Technical Manager of GeoArm. Just sit back and watch the appropriate how to installation video found on GeoArm’s YouTube page, that illustrates the steps to follow that will make the M2M communicator setup a breeze.

Best of all the M2M’s RControl app gives GeoArm customers the ability to interact with their compatible burglar intrusion panel for no additional monthly charge. The end user can remotely download the RControl app on any Android or iOS device to arm/disarm the security system in “away mode” when they are not home during the day, and also have the ability to arm it in “stay mode” when they are home at night. The app allows for real-time push and email notifications for multiple end users and devices per account so that all family members and business managers are on guard. Also, there is an admin portal that allows for 24/7 device management and real-time status monitoring of all accounts with 12 months of event history stored for use at a later time. To ensure the M2M communicator works when it matters most, the modules are designed with supervised connectivity that includes polling in 10 minute intervals for exceptional reliability.

Once installed into an existing compatible alarm system, the M2M communicator will transmit alarm systems data to either GeoArm’s central station and/or directly to the end user in the event of an alarm initiating event. With both do-it-yourself and professionally trained operator alarm monitoring services offered by GeoArm starting at $8 a month for burglary intrusion security systems, and $30 a month for commercial fire alarm systems, homes and businesses can finally lower that costly alarm bill and start enjoying the monthly savings.

Alarm.com Announces it will still support GE Interlogix!

As you all know United Technologies announced that Interlogix after all these years is closing their doors at the end of 2019. Alarm.com a few days later sent us a confirmation email that they would still provide Alarm.com compatible communications devices for monitoring abilities. In addition, Alarm.com announced it will continue to support the product lines for dealer tech support.

This is big news for anyone who has an Interlogix such as a Concord, NX Series or Simon security system. This news confirms that the Interlogix systems life span has been extended at least up until LTE cellular modules are phased out. After LTE cellular communicators are phased out well down the line we are not sure what will happen from there or what communication modules will support the monitoring of Interlogix!

What we do know is that end-users that have Interlogix will still be able to enjoy Alarm.com monitoring services, remote app control with the Alarm.com interactive app, Z-Wave home automation control, Amazon Alexa / Google Home / Apple Siri voice control and Alarm.com compatible IP security camera abilities for quite some time.

Here is an example email that Alarm.com is sending to its dealer’s.

United Technologies recently announced that they are winding down their Interlogix security business in the U.S. and Canada, but they will continue to manufacture and sell through the end of the year.

Alarm.com will continue to support all Interlogix panels currently installed, as well as all new installations going forward. Our services will continue to work seamlessly on the lineup of Interlogix panels we support, now and into the future. Also, we will continue to manufacture Interlogix LTE upgrade modules.