2013 February

State of the Market: Video Surveillance 2013

Despite continuing challenges, there is money to be found in the 2013 video surveillance market.

February 5, 2013

Two tiny acronyms: IT and IP. A3 Communications, Irmo, S.C., is an expert in both. Founded as an information technology (IT) company 20 years ago by chief executive officer (CEO) Joe Thomas, the company added Internet protocol (IP)-based surveillance and access control to its portfolio in 2005.

7 Outdoor Perimeter Protection Pitfalls

Security professionals offer their advice on how to avoid learning lessons the hard way.

Joan Engebretson

February 5, 2013

Don’t learn the hard way what not to do on an outdoor perimeter installation. We asked integrators to share some of the mistakes they’ve made or seen others make that reduced profitability and to discuss how those mistakes could have been avoided. (Not to put anyone on the spot, we didn’t ask integrators to specify whether it was their own company or another that goofed.)

Keep Video Management Systems Simple

New features and functionality are taking video management software beyond basic functionality, but do integrators think there is a limit to how advanced they should be?

Derek Rice

February 5, 2013

For any business, particularly where rapidly changing technology is involved, many would say that “innovate or die” is a motto to live by. It also seems to be the mantra for video management software (VMS) providers as they continue to work on improving their offerings and make their customers’ lives better.

Electric Lock Installation Tips

Knowing which lock to install and what the requirements are for each door is paramount to a secure installation.

Karyn Hodgson

February 22, 2013

Electric locking options for doors are fairly straightforward. The main types include magnetic locks, electric door strikes, and electrified locksets. But when you look at a door, knowing which of those solutions will work best, is easiest and quickest to install, and will meet the customer’s requirements is an important skill for any integrator.

Success With Residential Video

Pay attention to these seven areas for designing and installing residential video systems — particularly privacy and security — and you will have satisfied customers who may help you grow your business.

Cassie Peterson

February 5, 2013

The demand for residential video for both security and self-monitoring continues to grow as more homeowners take advantage of the convenience of mobile access and decreasing hardware costs. Regardless of the complexity and individual nuances of each home, employing a few key strategies can make design and installation proceed more smoothly for every system.

Meeting Statutory Requirements

Fire Department Fails to Respond

Lessing E. Gold

February 8, 2013

An interesting case is presently pending in the state of Arizona. An alarm was activated at the plaintiff’s uniform laundering facility in Phoenix. Within minutes, the plaintiff’s alarm monitoring company notified the city fire department that it had received a water flow alarm, which indicated the activation of fire suppression equipment at the plaintiff’s facility. The alarm company also reported that a burglar alarm at the facility had been activated.

Security Convergence & Managed Services: Can You Say, ‘Account Control?’

Dan Dunkel

February 8, 2013

Security convergence is well-worn terminology describing our industry. However, the fact is that the physical security industry is not as quick to address new technologies and solutions as their IT peers. I believe this emanates from the justifiable conservative culture of an industry where the protection of lives, and not data, is priority number one.

Thermal Imaging Camera for Outdoor Surveillance

David Engebretson

February 8, 2013

As loyal readers are aware, my daughter and I are rapidly preparing for the upcoming zombie apocalypse. As fervent viewers of “The Walking Dead,” we came to the decision that the addition of a crossbow to our growing arsenal was in order. After receiving the weapon (there should be some way to limit the per-day dollars that can be spent ordering stuff over the Internet) we took the crossbow to our summer cabin in Michigan to have some target shooting fun.

Do You Have the Math Skills for Security?

Roy Pollack

February 8, 2013

Throughout our existence math plays a vital role. Even the security industry has its own math-related skills. Do your skills add up?

Digital Video Delivery Platforms

Steve Rissi

February 8, 2013

The industry term is “streaming video,” but at this stage it’s more like a flood.

New Entrants to the Industry Create A Boost & A Blight for Home Security/Automation

Laura Stepanek

February 8, 2013

The residential market is primed for growth and ripe for new competitors to join the industry — but are they really ‘joining’?

Digital Shuffle : February 2013

Sabrina Gasulla

February 8, 2013

One trend in website redesign that is not always easy to execute is the mobile device-friendly website. More and more, end users are turning to smartphones and tablets to quickly find information.

Showcases: February 2013

February 19, 2013

These pages of SDM’s Showcase section highlight some of the products and services that leading companies in the security industry will be exhibiting at ISC West 2013 in Las Vegas. SDM Showcase is also published in the October 2013 edition of SDM.

Higher-Education Solution Offers Enhanced Emergency Communications, Improved Safety & Single Point of Control

February 13, 2013

Talk-A-Phone, Niles, Ill., announced the integration of its VOIP-500 series phone / WEBS® Paging Module with the Rave SafeCampus suite from Rave Mobile Safety.

Use Online Form to Let System Sensor Design Your Project

February 13, 2013

System Sensor, St. Charles, Ill., launched a new online form that enables customers to request that System Sensor design their FAAST Fire Alarm Aspiration Sensing Technology® projects.

Online Technical Training Added to University

February 13, 2013

Arecont Vision University has advanced to provide an online portal for reseller partner education. Responding to the demand for the company’s Channel Partner Certification Programs (CPCP), Los Angeles-based Arecont Vision has developed an online learning center to make educational courses available on demand.

Two-Day Seminars Use Hands-on Training, Offer Certification in Unified Security Management Platform

February 13, 2013

Next Level Security Systems, Carlsbad, Calif., has a new series of certification classes that offer advanced training on Next Level’s unified security management platform.

Insider News & Business : February 2013

February 11, 2013

AT&T to launch security/home automation solution this spring, Meet a Seinfeld star at ISC West, SDM's Dealers of the Year buys big, HID Global acquires and boosts government solutions, Residential revenue breakdown and more.

Illuminator Enables Bird's Eye View of Osprey Nest

February 8, 2013

When The Friends of Island Beach State Park (FIBSP), N.J., wanted to install a special video surveillance system to monitor osprey nest activity, the project came with multiple challenges. Mains power was not available, so all equipment needed to be powered by renewable energy. Another requirement was to be able to clearly observe the birds nesting at night.