Wireless may be all the rage in today’s urban settings–the proliferation of smart phones and Wi-Fi-enabled masses is proof--but rural areas are also getting in on the action.

In fact, it’s arguable that a greater need for wireless security exists on the farm. The typical farm or ranch, for example, can easily have up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment sitting in unguarded, detached sheds.  For years, though, rural customers, turned off by high prices and complicated logistics associated with wiring, elected to simply take their chances and face the consequences without a professionally installed security system.

The rapid evolution of wireless stands the strongest chance to help erase that mentality. A combination of cost-effectiveness, more-reliable sensor technology and ease of installation are allowing dealers in these areas to present a more-appealing sell.

As a result, rural areas are becoming places where dealers can strategically grow their businesses by reducing costly burglaries and liability issues.

Stealing farmer’s livelihood

In central Nebraska, Heartland Security LLC’s Homer Creutz, owner, has several customers who store tools, machinery, feed, automobiles and even livestock on unguarded and often uncovered ground. In most cases, these valuable assets are surrounded by a fence or covered by overhangs. In the past, that was usually the extent of their security, as these facilities are located in pastures or fields, detached from a home or a secure, central security system.

“A lot of people in these areas have detached garages or facilities. Their livelihood is their farms, livestock or machines. Their tools and farm equipment are sometimes worth more than their homes, and yet they’re sitting outside virtually unprotected,” said Homer Creutz.

It doesn’t take much effort, for instance, to gain access to hundreds of thousands of dollars in farm equipment by breaking locks or tearing sheds apart. “Typically, farmers go to great and expensive lengths to install a home security system, yet they lock sheds and barns with just a little latch. Thieves are able to find these and easily break the lock or tear open sides of metal buildings to gain access,” continued Creutz.