For Resideo's Pro-Watch access control systems, should we focus on enhancing cloud-based functionality or strengthening on-premises capabilities?

Introduction

For Resideo's Pro-Watch access control systems, we're facing a critical decision between enhancing cloud-based functionality or strengthening on-premises capabilities. This trade-off will significantly impact our product strategy, user experience, and market positioning. I'll analyze this decision through the lens of our business objectives, user needs, technical considerations, and long-term product vision.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm thinking our current market position might be influencing this decision. Could you share how our Pro-Watch system is currently performing in terms of market share and customer satisfaction?

Why it matters: Helps gauge if we're operating from a position of strength or need to catch up. Expected answer: Solid market share but facing increased competition. Impact on approach: Would influence whether we prioritize innovation or consolidation.

• Business Context: Based on industry trends, I'm assuming there's growing demand for cloud solutions. How does our current revenue split between cloud and on-premises offerings look?

Why it matters: Indicates where our business is heading and potential growth areas. Expected answer: Increasing cloud revenue, but still majority on-premises. Impact on approach: Would help balance short-term gains with long-term strategy.

• User Impact: I'm thinking different customer segments might have varying preferences. Can you tell me about our key user segments and their current adoption of cloud vs. on-premises solutions?

Why it matters: Ensures we're addressing the needs of our most valuable customers. Expected answer: Enterprise clients lean towards on-premises, SMBs prefer cloud. Impact on approach: Would inform how we prioritize and potentially segment our offering.

• Technical: Considering the complexity of access control systems, I'm curious about our current cloud infrastructure. How mature is our cloud platform, and what are the main technical challenges we're facing?

Why it matters: Helps assess the feasibility and timeline for cloud enhancements. Expected answer: Solid foundation but needs scaling and security improvements. Impact on approach: Would influence the resources and time required for cloud development.

• Resource: Given the potential scope of this decision, I'm wondering about our team's capacity. What resources do we have available for this initiative in terms of engineering and product teams?

Why it matters: Determines the scale and speed at which we can execute changes. Expected answer: Dedicated team available, but competing priorities. Impact on approach: Would help set realistic timelines and prioritize features.