Karyn Hodgson

SDM VIDEO MONITORING TODAY EXCLUSIVE

Video Monitoring & COVID-19

While the coronavirus and resulting economic impacts have brought their share of challenges to the security industry, the video monitoring space has been in a prime position to help customers — and grow business.

Karyn Hodgson

July 3, 2020

Benjamin Franklin is reported to have said, “Out of adversity comes opportunity.” The security industry, like many businesses in the U.S. and the world, has certainly seen some adversity this year. In the video monitoring part of the security industry, however, a situation that started as chaos quickly shifted to unique opportunities to help both existing and new customers.

Editor's Angle

Uncertain Times Call for Creative Solutions

There is no doubt the security industry is not only determined, but well positioned to survive the coronavirus crisis.

Karyn Hodgson

June 1, 2020

It’s June, the start of summer — the season of backyard BBQs, gatherings with friends and family, and summer vacations. But for most of us, this summer season may look different than usual.

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DOOR ACTIVATION DEVICES

'Don't Touch That Door: Door Activation Devices in Demand

In the COVID-19 impacted world, door activation devices are more important than ever to help prevent the spread of germs.

Karyn Hodgson

May 11, 2020

Now more than ever, people are conscious of the surfaces they touch. When it comes to entering a door, any time you don’t have to touch a handle, it’s a relief. In the access control industry, the word “frictionless” has been a growing trend for a while; now it has even more benefit for end users.

Editor's Angle: The New Normal

The new normal will require relying on existing strengths, creative solutions, and each other.

Karyn Hodgson

May 4, 2020

“May you live in interesting times.” I’ve been hearing this phrase a lot lately related to the impact of COVID-19 and the resulting shutdowns of schools and businesses. Curious where this phrase comes from, I Googled it.

SDM EXCLUSIVE

State of the Market 2020: Access Control

The access control market in 2019 and 2020 can best be described as strong, but in flux — with changing architectures, changing customer expectations and demands, and changing security integrator roles.

Karyn Hodgson

April 3, 2020

A continuing strong economy, end user desires to do more with their access control systems and increasing interest in new technologies, integrations and models all led to a positive outlook in 2019 and a general feeling of optimism for 2020, with a few notes of caution.

'Badging In' Goes Digital & Higher Security

Once a fairly ‘vanilla’ choice, access control reader and credential options today include an array of more secure mobile, digital and security options to fit every user’s need and budget.

Karyn Hodgson

March 23, 2020

There was a time not too long ago when choosing the card and reader for an access control installation consisted of which proximity reader style from a limited number of suppliers you liked and how many 125 kHz cards or fobs you needed to purchase.

TRENDS & INDUSTRY ISSUES

Winning the Security Talent War

When it comes to addressing the talent crisis in the security industry, the faces of the future will need to be much more diverse than those of the past.

Karyn Hodgson

March 2, 2020

It would be hard to find a topic more pressing across the entire security industry than the current workforce shortage. From manufacturers to security integrators, the issue of finding and keeping great employees is among the top concerns of nearly everyone.

ACCESS CONTROL

Real Talk About Security Intercoms

Security integrators share their experiences with the changing world of security intercoms.

Karyn Hodgson

February 17, 2020

Intercoms for security have changed in recent years, particularly with the advent of IP, mobile apps and increased integration. But other things have changed the intercom as well.

ACCESS CONTROL

The Cloud is a Win-Win for Security Integrators & End Users

With the increasing proliferation of cloud access control choices and increasing demand from customers, savvy security integrators can expand their offerings, and get more business from existing and new customers.

Karyn Hodgson

February 10, 2020

Is the cloud-based access control trend finally “hockey sticking?” For several years predictions that cloud will overtake on-premise access control solutions — particularly in the SMB market — have been swirling around the security industry.

ACCESS CONTROL & IDENTIFICATION

A Look Ahead at Security Locks & Door Hardware

At the end of one decade and the beginning of another, security lock and hardware vendors reflect on the technologies that shaped the past 10 years, and those that will shape the short- and long-term market of the future.

Karyn Hodgson

January 20, 2020

They say that hindsight is 20/20. So as we go into the year 2020 it seems fitting to reflect back, while at the same time looking ahead at the most influential trends that shaped — or will shape — the security lock and door hardware market.