Discover how to manage money in the security industry the smart way in this November 2014 edition of SDM. Also, discover the evolving field of residential intercoms and learn the facts about intrusion alarm verification.
Don’t let the three wise monkeys fool you. Hearing, seeing and announcing danger is proving very useful to the industry. SDM looks at products that are helping detect and verify alarms using audio/visual technologies.
Advancements in reliability and features of analytics, thermal imaging, and wireless and solar technology-based products have enabled perimeter security to be accessible to a more mainstream market than ever before.
Integrators are finding that their customers are more interested in intercoms today than ever, because having an IP backbone gives them mobility and interactivity features, and video offers greater situational awareness.
In a recent case in Indiana, a plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the alarm company in essence claiming that his exposure to the sound of the alarm caused permanent damage to his ability to hear.
So you broke the bank and spent countless hours building that perfect website to generate leads by the thousands. So do you launch it and forget it? Time and time again potential clients will ask, “Should I be changing/updating my website on a monthly basis?" Our answer: Is the Pope Catholic? Yes!
The last few months have seen some exciting developments in the field of surround sound audio. A new surround-sound format has emerged which is object-based rather than channel-based, and it can support up to 34 speakers.
Many of the dealers and integrators who own companies in the security industry have what is called a “lifestyle business,” meaning the business brings in enough profits for the owners to live in nice homes, drive great cars, and travel in style. While the owners may appear or may truly be living a comfortable lifestyle, this can change when it comes time for retirement, if a business owner is not prepared.
If you’ve ever needed more money (who hasn’t?), then you are among a majority of business owners. Approximately one-half to two-thirds of young, small businesses — defined as those with less than 499 employees — use capital injections, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy in a February 2014 report. What’s more, not being able to obtain capital has profound implications for the ability of certain businesses to expand, the report noted.
Tyco Integrated Security, Boca Raton, Fla., the industry’s leading security systems integrator, announced it will offer small businesses cost-effective, commercial-grade, scalable security systems and services.
Leviton, New Orleans, announced the acquisition of BitWise Controls LLC. Leviton has been carrying BitWise Controls’ automation controllers for some time and, according to the company in a press release, is excited to welcome it into Leviton.
Bold Technologies, Colorado Springs, Colo., a provider of central station and PSIM software, acquired fellow automation provider, ABM Data Systems, on September 11, 2014.
In September Vicon Industries Inc. and IQinVision revealed that its previously announced merger had been approved, and that its board of directors had appointed Eric Fullerton, formerly chief sales and marketing officer of Milestone Systems A/S, as the company’s new CEO and president.
The Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) announced that Louis T. Fiore, president of L.T. Fiore Inc., will assume the position of CSAA International interim executive vice president beginning October 1, 2014, following the retirement of Steve Doyle.
TRI-ED Buffalo hosted its first annual Classic Car & Motorcycle Show. Over 75 customers attended the event, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project.
ADT Unlocks New Growth Opportunities with Commercial Expansion ADT, Boca Raton, Fla., announced that the company will expand into the commercial security market as a result of the expiration of a prior non-compete agreement with Tyco Integrated Security, Boca Raton, Fla.
Mission 500, Miami, a non-profit initiative focusing on the security industry and dedicated to serving the needs of children and communities in crisis, continues to stage numerous events and promotions with security leaders around the world.
The Central Station Alarm Association, Vienna, Va., announced that Steve Shapiro, vice president of industry relations for ADT, was appointed to the CSAA board of directors in October.
Vector Security Inc., Pittsburgh, was named “Supplier of the Year” by office supply retailer Staples at the 2014 Staples Global Loss Prevention Conference in Mystic, Conn., in September.
Savant, Hyannis, Mass., a smart home technology company, released new survey results revealing that more than half of consumers in the United States believe that home automation will be an everyday feature in less than 10 years from now, and nearly one-fourth saying that the technology will be an everyday feature in less than five years.
INSTEON, Irvine, Calif., a home automation and control technology provider, announced what it is calling the “world’s first” dual-on/off, dual-band outlet.
With every video recorder it sells, OpenEye includes ReportStar, its security system health monitoring service, free of charge. ReportStar proactively monitors the health of video surveillance systems and system sensors 24/7. As a cloud-based service, ReportStar can be accessed anywhere there is an Internet connection.
The Z-Wave Alliance, a consortium of more than 300 leading manufacturers and service providers worldwide dedicated to interoperable wireless control products based on the Z-Wave open standard, held its annual Fall Summit “The Future Powered by Z-Wave,” November 4-6, 2014 at the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.
LILIN North America and HARMAN’s AMX, a global provider of enterprise control and automation systems, as well as audio/video switching and distributing solutions, announced a technology partnership and driver integration that will supply mutual customers with comprehensive IP video surveillance management.
WavestoreUSA, a provider of professional network IP video and audio recording solutions for surveillance and security applications, announced the launch of Tech Tips, a new Web resource series debuting on www.wavestoreusa.com. With a few clicks, visitors can learn how to use the easy shortcuts incorporated in WavestoreUSA products, the company described.
ADI, Melville, N.Y., announced the availability of its 2014-2015 AV Solutions Catalog in print and online. This dedicated AV sourcebook features a wide range of products to help dealers build complete, integrated AV systems.
Genetec™ and Mercury Security announced a closer technology partnership geared to benefit both Genetec and Mercury customers with a broader, open-platform choice when moving to Genetec’s Synergis IP access control solution. Genetec customers will be able to leverage Mercury’s complete line of door controllers and associated modules for both new and existing systems.
Texas is the latest state to approve the Electronic Security Association’s (ESA) fire alarm certifications as an acceptable testing resource for three of the state’s fire alarm licenses: Fire Alarm Technician (FAL), Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent (RAS), and Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent (APS).
Security Partners, Lancaster, Pa., and WAVE Electronics recently introduced the “4-Star Program,” a collaborative rebate program between the two companies that gives security dealers a profit advantage for products purchased from WAVE Electronics with monitoring services from Security Partners.
Sentry360 integrated Salient Systems’ CompleteView video management system (VMS) with its high-megapixel surveillance camera line. CompleteView is built for seamless IP camera support and is available in CompleteView ONE, CompleteView Pro or CompleteView Enterprise.
Honeywell, Louisville, Ky., recently announced new radar capabilities for its line of Vindicator security systems used to protect high-profile locations such as large commercial properties, government facilities and military installations. Honeywell’s Vindicator customers will have access to SpotterRF’s series of Compact Surveillance Radar systems, which can be used to detect intruders along perimeters when traditional ground surveillance radar systems are not practical.
HID Global®, Austin, Texas, used the ASIS Int’l Annual Seminar and Exhibits venue this fall to announce the release of its HID Mobile Access® solution. The company said it delivers a more secure and convenient way to open doors and gates, while introducing a simple secure identity management process.
Mountain View, Calif.-based Viakoo, which describes itself as the first and only automated solution to effectively eliminate missing video and reduce surveillance downtime, launched a new mobile app that delivers the full functionality of the company’s software into the palm of every user’s hand.