This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
SDMmag logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
SDMmag logo
  • Home
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Editions
    • Archives
    • Monitoring Today
    • Professional Security Canada
  • Products
  • Newswire
  • Exclusives
    • SDM 100 Report
    • Top Systems Integrators Report
    • Annual Industry Forecast
    • State of the Market Series
    • Dealer of the Year
    • Systems Integrator of the Year
    • TMA Monitoring Center Excellence Awards
    • Blog
    • PSA Leadership Institute
  • Topics
    • Trends & Industry Issues
    • Video Solutions
    • Access Control & Identification
    • Smart Home
    • More SDM Topics
  • Columns
    • Editor's Angle
    • 5-Minute Tech Quiz
    • Security & the Law
    • Security Networkings
    • Digital Shuffle
    • Technology @ Work
    • Insider News & Business
    • Today's Systems Integrator
    • Marketing Madmen
    • Sales Stars
    • Smart Insights
  • Events
    • Industry Calendar
    • SDM 100 Gala @ ESX
    • Webinars
  • More
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • ISC West 2019
    • Photo Galleries
    • Newsletters
    • Classified Ads
    • SDM Store
    • White Papers
    • Sponsor Insights
    • More Resources
  • Directories
    • Buyers Guide
    • Take a Tour
    • Guide to Distributors
    • Guide to Central Stations & Monitoring
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Home » Sending Paper Over Telephone Wires

Sending Paper Over Telephone Wires

September 1, 2009
Laura Stepanek
Reprints
No Comments

My grandmother was born in 1899 and died in 1989. Sometimes I wonder about all of the things she witnessed during her long lifetime. And even though it doesn’t seem like she’s been gone long, I also realize how much has happened in the world since she left it. I remember once explaining to her how fax machines worked. She marveled at the idea that one could send a piece of paper over a telephone wire, as she put it.

Some 20 years later – a generation since – and society has come to expect relatively lightning-speed advancements. We can communicate wirelessly around the world; we can use brain-machine interface technology to control robotic limbs through brain activity; we can work alongside other nations to maintain a crew in orbit 220 miles above the Earth for nearly nine continuous years.
 
This month’s cover story is about future technology — specifically, about technology that may someday have an integral place in your work, in the security industry.  In the article “Game Changers” (see page 48), author Bill Zalud writes about how systems integrators can capitalize on new technology by studying and researching; by quantifying and evaluating so they can demonstrate the cost-benefit analysis of the technology to their clients; and by recognizing that there is no one single technology that provides a complete solution.
 
The article also looks at more than 10 different technologies that either have limited applications currently or are still in development. These are technologies that are considered “game changers.” They may not make today’s security technology obsolete, but they will make it pale by comparison.
 
For example, surface computing.
 
I first got a glimpse of surface computing in Japan, on an editors’ trip hosted by Panasonic System Solutions Co., when we visited the Panasonic Future World Showcase. Walk up to “the wall” and touch it any place.
 
With surface computing, instead of a keyboard and mouse, the user interacts directly with a touch-sensitive screen – and the future of surface computing could also include a wide variety of graphical, textual and tactile activities. The author shares that, “If it catches on, and that’s a big if, surface computing could easily become a welcome specialty tool of enterprise security executives who will see value in better managing certain situations involving objects such as buildings, floors, vehicles, cameras, doors, security officers on patrol and emergency responders. In the long run, the development may lend itself to a next-generation alarm monitoring interactive, object-oriented display.”
 
My favorite future technology described in “Game Changers” is being used in Major League baseball, but its potential applications are stunning. The author writes, “Already in beta testing at Giant’s park, the system can pinpoint where a ball was hit, the ball’s speed and the runners throughout a play. It can also show how long it took a ball to be returned to the infield. One aim (beyond making money through fan subscriptions to the service) is to create a whole new book full of often-neglected defense statistics such as outfielders’ arm strength and base-running efficiency.”
 
Picture it: someday you may be creating solutions for your clients that enable them to sit around a “surveillance table” and respond to events based on very detailed information. For example, an intruder drives onto the property of a distribution center, loads up some high-value electronic merchandise, and speeds away. Through the capabilities of his security system, your client is able to not only view and capture the license plate of the vehicle, but also the speed and direction it moved. Instant wireless communication with a security patrol enables responders to cut off the burglar’s path within seconds.
 
Never mind what my grandmother would have said – I’m impressed!
Subscribe to SDM Magazine

Recent Articles by Laura Stepanek

Messages from 14th ACCC: Openness & Partnerships

Strive to Be Easier

Interlogix to Shut Down in U.S. & Canada; Dealers Express Disappointment

Preferred Brands Among the Top Systems Integrators

How to Get Smart About Business Intelligence

Laura-stepanek-200

As Editor of SDM, Laura Stepanek is responsible for the overall editorial direction of the magazine, its supplements, e-newsletters and website. She works with the SDM editorial staff to develop content that helps security dealers and systems integrators operate successful businesses. Laura represents SDM at trade shows and conferences, often presenting the results of exclusive research studies such as the SDM Industry Forecast. She writes and edits a variety of articles, and manages the annual SDM 100 and Top Systems Integrators reports. Laura joined SDM in 1984. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Barat College of DePaul University. Contact Laura with article ideas.

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • Print & Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • SDM eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content What Is Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the SDM audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep.

Close
Featureimage_900x550__ovl0jlkbbj__
Sponsored By
Schneider Electric

New Digital Load Management System Drives Productivity and Enables New Business Models

Motor starter selection and configuration has always been a labor-intensive task. To address this challenge, machine builders and system integrators must adopt new technologies that simplify motor starter selection, installation, configuration and maintenance.

Popular Stories

Dealer of the Year(2019)

SDM 2019 Dealer of the Year: CPI Security of Charlotte, NC

Shiver Security

Shiver Security Expands With the Acquisition of Four Companies

GettyImages-1087183206

Whatever Happened to the Prediction of a Mass Extinction of Security Dealers?

STANLEY

STANLEY Security Partners With Indianapolis Colts to Honor Local ‘Security Champion’

Aiphone

Go Above & Beyond for Effective Emergency Communication/Notification

SDM 2019 Top Systems Integrators Report

Events

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Hiring Women in Security

Has your company made any efforts in the past year to specifically hire and/or promote women in managerial/executive positions? (Please select the best answer.)
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Contemporary Security Management, 4th Edition

Contemporary Security Management, 4th Edition

 Contemporary Security Management, 3rd Edition teaches security professionals how to operate an efficient security department and how to integrate smoothly with other groups inside and outside their own organizations. 

See More Products

SDM Magazine

_FC_SDM1219 cover 144x192

2019 December

Check out SDM Magazine’s December 2019 issue, featuring "CPI’s Key to Success Is Controlling ‘the Experience’ in-House", "Monitoring Services: The Cutting Edge", and much more.

Check back throughout the month for new content!

View More Create Account
  • Resources
    • List Rental
    • Online Exclusives
    • Industry Innovations
    • Partners
    • Privacy Policy
    • Survey And Sample
  • Want More
    • Subscribe
    • Connect

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing