The current size of the market for security and security services is pegged at Rs 100 crore. CMS-IPL CEO Salil Kumar revealed that the market was growing at a healthy 17 per cent per annum as per the findings of MBLRCG.

Elaborating on how the system works, Mr Kumar said it comprises a control panel to which the sensors are hooked. The fool-proof control panel connects to the CMS-IPL control room, a hi-tech facility created for receiving alarms from different subscriber locations and taking appropriate response action.

The computerised station, he explained, automatically receives and records the alarm signals from the installation. Trained CMS operators monitor the control room 24 hours a day and take appropriate action by despatching the CMS-IPL response team/guards to the location of intrusion to intimate the client and police/fire station and other appropriate authorities. The cost of installing the system and availing the service, he said, would depend on the size of the area to be covered and the type of service to be provided.

The service would cost Rs 250 per month for just monitoring and Rs 450 per month for monitoring & response services.

CMS-IPL expects to break-even in one year and plans to pick up at least two customers a day. Tata Honeywell would provide the equipment/technical knowhow and marketing support through its channel partners.

The market for security and security services is largely new, and there are very few players in the organised sector for electronic security systems, Mr Kumar added.

Some of the larger players are Eureka Forbes, Zicom and Godrej. Mr Rahul Chakraborty, brand manager, total security solutions Tata-Honeywell said that Honeywell had about 40-45 per cent of the market for such systems worldwide, and was the clear market-leader in this segment both in terms of marketshare and technology with operations in around 95 countries.

Mr Kumar said that CMS-IPL would leverage Tata-Honeywell's technical expertise alongside Group 4 Securitas, which is a part of the Group 4 & Falck International Worldwide, one of the best known international security and services companies.