Summer is coming to a close and today @SDMmagazine caught up with Alex Dunn, chief operating officer at Vivint, Provo, Utah, to talk about the company’s summer sales program — on Twitter.  Dunn also discussed the company’s adaptation after officially entering the home automation space this year and what he considers to be a game-changer in the security/automation market.

@SDMmagazine: @VivintHome was APX Alarm until Feb of this year. What else has changed besides the name?

@VivintHome: We've really expanded the service offering that we're providing our customer base. 

Via @courville_m: Good to hear Alex — any results so far you've seen or heard from your customers? Any links to share on where you enhanced?

@VivintHome: Adoption has been really high among existing customers with all the new services! You can check them out here: http://bit.ly/nsFkfH.

@SDMmagazine: What has been the greatest challenge in entering the home automation market?

@VivintHome: Vivint’s often seen as a security company, but we’re more than that — we offer other exciting products.

@VivintHome: Also, we've found that staying ahead of all the new technologies in the field has been a challenge.

@SDMmagazine: @VivintHome Which new technology or service are you most excited to see developed 1) in security and 2) in home automation?

@VivintHome: We have a lot of exciting services in the pipeline, but no new announcements at this time.

@SDMmagazine: @VivintHome What new technology do you see on the horizon that has the potential to be a game-changer for your market?

@VivintHome: The key is having a panel that you can easily add service to over time.

@VivintHome: A control panel that allows you to integrate any services that arise in the future — that is the real game changer.

@SDMmagazine: @VivintHome uses a door-to-door summer sales model. How is the season going so far?

@VivintHome: We're wrapping one of our most successful years and have many sales/marketing programs ready for the off-season. 

@SDMmagazine: To what do you attribute this success?

@VivintHome: We really attribute it to our innovative service offerings and our fantastic employees.

@SDMmagazine: The summer model often gets a bad rap. How are you addressing concerns from the industry and from customers?

@VivintHome: Many more companies are embracing the d2d channel as a way to create new customers because of its effectiveness.

@VivintHome: Also, we are sure to handle every issue that is reported to us quickly and efficiently. 

Via @bmenezes: Oh really...Who exactly, that wasn't doing d2d already?

@VivintHome: As an example, @Select_Security is a company that has recently adopted a d2d model.

@SDMmagazine: What’s your take on mandatory licensing for all door-to-door salespeople?

@VivintHome: All of our sales people are licensed where required, and we do support any and all licensing requirements. 

@SDMmagazine: Glad to hear it. What is the Vivint Gives Back Project?

@VivintHome: The Gives Back Project lets FB users decide which charities receive the $1.25M Vivint employees donated. 

@VivintHome: The project is actually in its final days! You can find out more about it, and participate! http://ow.ly/6dQQ6

@SDMmagazine: We have another question from the Twitterverse [via @courville_m]! What brought you into the industry? What do you like best about it?

@VivintHome: I saw lots of opportunity, and I see that we make a real difference in the lives of our customers.

@VivintHome: Our services save lives, and I love being a part of that.