Karyn Hodgson

Security Integrators Find Renewed Interest in Visitor Management

Integrators share their experiences, sales tips and thoughts on the future of electronic visitor management systems.

March 15, 2013

News events in recent months, such as shootings at office buildings, college campuses and the tragedy at Newtown, Conn., have renewed interest in visitor management across the board.

The (Tech) Highs & Lows of Wireless Access

Wireless access control locks require a broad range of integrator knowledge and skill levels to be successfully installed.

Karyn Hodgson

March 13, 2013

Wireless is supposed to be easy, right? When it comes to access control, the answer isn’t a simple “Yes” or “No.” For an integrator, knowing when to use wireless, which product to use, and how to install it requires skill sets that fall at both extremes of the spectrum. But for those integrators that navigate those extremes, the payoffs can be big.

Electric Lock Installation Tips

Knowing which lock to install and what the requirements are for each door is paramount to a secure installation.

Karyn Hodgson

February 22, 2013

Electric locking options for doors are fairly straightforward. The main types include magnetic locks, electric door strikes, and electrified locksets. But when you look at a door, knowing which of those solutions will work best, is easiest and quickest to install, and will meet the customer’s requirements is an important skill for any integrator.

What You Need to Know When Selling Cloud Access Control

A change in terminology can make a world of difference in selling cloud access control.

Karyn Hodgson

January 10, 2013

Cloud access control is not a new concept. Some companies have been offering it for decades. If this sounds surprising it is because cloud access is nothing more than hosted or managed access control, renamed.

An Enterprise State of Mind

Making a profit in the enterprise access space requires a shift in focus, commitment and culture.

Karyn Hodgson

October 30, 2012

Remember when an end user’s security director was the go-to contact for an access control sale and the information technology (IT) manager was brought in to consult on the network requirements? In the enterprise solution space, that model has turned on its head in the past couple of years.

Camera & Lens: How to Get the Correct Match

Surveillance experts say that you cannot separate lens function from camera function — they are complementary and interdependent. Does that make the integrator’s job harder?

Karyn Hodgson

October 1, 2012

Choosing a lens for a camera is not a new skill for integrators who have worked in the video space for any length of time. However, the parameters have changed. Some things have gotten simpler; others are more complicated.Choosing a lens for a camera is not a new skill for integrators who have worked in the video space for any length of time. However, the parameters have changed. Some things have gotten simpler; others are more complicated.

Asking the ‘Top 5’ Questions

Integrators and manufacturers weigh in on the five key questions integrators should be asking about visitor management systems.

Karyn Hodgson

August 10, 2012

When choosing which access control systems to offer one of the most important things to consider is customers’ needs. Often the end users don’t know which questions to ask, leaving the task to the integrator.

The 3 Profitable ‘C’s of Wire and Cable

Cost, control and codes can make all the difference in whether wiring is a profitable or losing prospect.

Karyn Hodgson

July 23, 2012

Ask most security installers what the most time-consuming aspect of a job is and they will likely put pulling wire and cable at the top of the list. Knowing exactly which product to select, how to meet code, and how to make the installation go as fast and smooth as possible can make or break the whole process.

A Little Bit Edgy

Integrators weigh in on the pros and cons of using edge devices for access control installations.

Karyn Hodgson

June 18, 2012

Edge devices can be a boon to dealers and integrators both in sales and installation, particularly in the access control field. Easier wiring makes them cost-effective for doors that previously didn’t use electronic security. Yet, the traditional centralized panel solution is far from dead, and indeed still preferred by some integrators. What does the edge look like today for access control systems, and how can it benefit your business?

Many Options Lead to Layered Approach for Emergency Communications

When it comes to notifying the “masses,” more options — including two-way communication, social media, digital signage, and more — are better.

Karyn Hodgson

May 18, 2012

Spring 2012 has been an unusually active, dangerous weather season, with unprecedented tornadoes hitting the Midwest, Southeast and the state of Texas. April saw a shooting rampage that resulted in seven deaths at Oikos University, a small college in California. This shooting came just a few months after violence revisited the campus of Virginia Tech in December 2011. Two people were killed in that incident, which brought back memories of the deadliest college massacre ever on the same campus in 2007.