NFPA Launches NEC  Online Resource

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) launched a new online destination for news, information, tips, learning resources and networking opportunities related to NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®). The new website is a resource for installers and contractors, designers and engineers, code enforcers, and policy makers for all things related to the NEC.

The new site educates readers about the latest in electrical safety, wiring, guidelines, and equipment, along with upcoming electrical code updates, tips and the latest social updates from the NFPA. Access to the site is free and includes a constantly updated selection of on-demand multi-media presentations, industry articles and downloadable tools and technical content. Participants who opt to join by signing in, which is also free, gain access to premium content and features that are only available to subscribers.

Intertek Educates AHJs

Intertek recently launched a new microsite: an educational resource specially designed for state fire marshals, building inspectors, electrical inspectors and other Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs). In order to help AHJs better understand the important role Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs) play in enhancing product safety, Intertek is providing useful information in one easy-to-navigate place. The site features a timeline of product safety, infographic detailing Intertek’s role in product safety, product safety testing basics, an overview of OSHA’s NRTL Program, an explanation of various Intertek certification marks, and more.

Vicon Enhances Online Experience for Latin American Customers

Vicon Industries Inc. launched a Spanish-language website to show its commitment to providing and supporting high-tech IP video software and hardware for the Latin American security market, which is one of Vicon’s fastest-growing markets. The site provides dealers, integrators and end users with product information and literature, system design tools, video tutorials, webinars, white papers, case studies and other resources. It also provides the ability to market and support products unique to this customer base.

Show Your People Off

In our exploration of top dealer websites to find best practices, we’ve found myriad approaches to quickly piquing the interest of prospective customers. In the end, it isn’t necessarily the flashy sites that are the most effective, but those that make visitors feel at ease and like they’re dealing with a company that will treat them well. Bay Alarm’s website creates that atmosphere with a mixture of clean, streamlined design and featuring actual photos of their employees as the primary graphic element. A picture is worth a 1,000 words and connecting a company name to a friendly face and a slogan touting “integrity, local expertise and consistently good service” can go a long way to transform a few minutes spent on a website to a phone call. The website also features a “Security System Bill of Rights” that encourages prospective customers to ask questions, demand a system that works for them and verify the companies and people they talk to are worthy of their business.

Avigilon Redesigns Web Experience

The Avigilon homepage recently received a complete facelift. The new central homepage image is animated and allows visitors to learn more about specific vertical markets, their unique challenges and requirements and the solutions Avigilon offers to address them. The site displays a sharp, interactive illustration of a city, in which different types of buildings represent vertical markets that visitors can click on to learn more about. The website is designed to highlight the benefits that Avigilon’s end-to-end solutions can deliver for key verticals, maintaining a graphics-driven browsing experience and simple navigation.

Alarm Management: A History

The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) has strived to make its website a fountain of information for those interested in learning about alarm management policies across the country. In a new effort to provide insight into the methodology and history of the industry’s progress on this issue, SIAC chronicled significant events in alarm management throughout the years in a two-part industry timeline. The posts can be found under “An Industry Timeline: The Early Years” and “Alarm Management Timeline: 2001-2013” in SIAC’s blog.

New Bosch Website  With Easier Navigation

 The Bosch website has been completely redesigned and now offers simpler navigation to the product, solution, and technical information that customers require. The new Bosch site features online tools for system design, product selection and configuration, as well as technical articles and video tutorials, web-based training, vertical market solution examples and more.