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Dealer-operated and third-party central monitoring facilities are by no means exempt from the growing threat and risk of cyber-crime.

Security integrators expect their stellar 2018 performance to continue into 2019, according to results of SDM’s 2019 Industry Forecast Study, a report published annually by SDM since 1982. Last year saw double-digit growth in both total annual revenue and recurring monthly revenue (RMR) for integrators and dealers who participated in the study.

Video management software (VMS) is evolving from a pure security solution into a tool that also provides insight on operations and more. This means more automation is coming into play, and the increased adoption of analytics has created a democratization within the marketplace.

Lexington, Ky., is known for a few things: horses, bluegrass, bourbon, a historic downtown area, and — when it comes to security systems — Bates Security/Sonitrol of Lexington.

Emotions were running high on the last day of Connect 2018, held Nov. 15-17 at a resort in Marco Island, Fla. At the awards banquet, speeches were made, videos watched and the always anticipated reveal of where next year’s event would be held was unveiled. But this year was different. This year, there were two dates — and locations — announced: one for Honeywell (Miami) and another for the recently spun-off independently run Resideo (Phoenix). Friends and former colleagues sought each other out for one last hug, unsure when they might see each other at another event like this. Despite some tears, however, there was a strong feeling of optimism in the room, both that day and in the previous days, filled with lots of informative sessions, general sessions, motivational speakers — and even a camel.

Wholesale central stations seem to be involved in a continuous process of upgrading facilities, adding new services and developing new ways to support the security dealers who use their services.

As security dealers offer or consider offering personal emergency response systems (PERS), they shouldn’t overlook a potentially very helpful resource — their third-party central monitoring station.

The concept of an intercom is as old as, well, two cans attached by string. But today’s technology solutions are anything but ancient; intercoms are being used everywhere from outdoor emergency poles to factory floors and everywhere in between.

A while ago, I received one of the best gifts a car lover could ever get: a full day of driving and instruction on a famous racecourse in my own car.

Despite a false start many years ago, video analytics have finally emerged from under the shadow of disappointment and frustration that has long plagued the technology.