Lowe's UCC Security Partnership Rivals ISPs

Lowe’s took a step forward as a one-stop supplier in the smart home space Monday, saying it will offer professional monitoring services for its do-it-yourself Iris smart home system. Lowe’s partnership with United Central Control (UCC) gives the home improvement retailer a product/service offering that can rival those of AT&T Digital Life and Comcast Xfinity Home. And ADT Pulse parent Tyco said last fall (see 1510220040) it was working with Google's Nest Labs to develop “useful integrations” between Nest products and Tyco’s “expanding smart home product portfolio.” UCC’s central monitoring service will give select Lowe’s Iris customers a conduit to emergency responders through their smart home systems for the first time, Lowe’s said. The $20-a-month fee includes Iris Premium service and cellular backup service.